An Emotional Couple of Weeks
Friday 23rd April 2010
Hello! Kay here.
I’d like to say a BIG thank you to those who watched A Passionate Woman. I’m really touched by all your comments, emails, letters, cards and calls. Just to let you know, it has been a huge success – nearly 5 million people watched the 1950s film and our viewing figures increased by half a million for the 1980s film. This means that YOU the public wanted to know more about the story and that makes me feel truly honoured and proud to have shared my Mother’s story with you all. I know she would’ve been very proud too.
I am also delighted to learn that A Passionate Woman now has its own Facebook fanpage and has been raved about on Twitter. Although I don’t visit social networking sites myself, it’s such a thrill to know this story has touched so many of you and is still a great talking point.
The last couple of weeks have been a bit of an emotional roller coaster for me and your comments and support have helped me through it. We've had some fantastic reviews, such as this one from the Financial Times:
TV Times called it 'first class', The Daily Express heaped praise upon it, as did The Mail on Sunday, Closer Magazine and many more. Saturday Review on Radio 4 called it a ‘work of art’. The BBC has also been inundated with calls and emails raving about the two dramas.
It's a shame some critics, such as AA Gill from The Times (see link below) and Alison Graham from The Radio Times, didn't feel the same way.
Sadly I found some of their comments to be quite hurtful – especially as I had to sum up a lot of courage to put my Mum’s story on screen.
The great news is it will soon be out in a cinematic version, merging the 1950s and 1980s films into one film, so keep an eye out for that. I’ll post up some info about this when I have more details, i.e. where you can catch it and what date it will premier.
A huge thank you…and keep logging in to this website for updates on what Rollem is up to over the next year or so.
Love,
Kay
Comments on An Emotional Couple of Weeks
The Times comments
Thank you so much for that wonderful piece of art 'A Passionate Woman.' I am an amatuer writer and filmmaker so it was a great inspiration to me. I read the Times review and I can hardly believe it. They were so wrong! I do have a theory though that the people who reacted badly to the drama were those that got annoyed by the moral value at the end. Referred pain. Something bothered their own consciences s they attacked at other issues. I loved your work and I watched it breathless all the way through. Thanks again. JayMarcus
Hello Kay! I loved A Passionate Woman. Part one the most, but both great! I would like to know if a DVD will be available and when? Many thanks for super writing as always! Kindest Regards Marcus.A Passionate Woman
My sister and I loved this very moving story. How lucky AA Gill is for never having encountered any of the hardship present on this drama. He, perhaps lives in a very different world! Can a DVD be bought of this 2 part drama? I would love to buy a copy for my sister. How brave of both you and your Mum, to tell a passionate and beautifully sad history.A.A.Gill
A bit late with this, Kay, but just wanted to say that I'm glad I more or less retired from TV around the time Gill came on the scene. I could easily imagine what his comments would be on practically everything I wrote, apart from the awards, massive audiences in the UK and around the world. And I still have a faN club in Texas. Frankly, the tought of having to endure a review by the man would have put me off writing anyway. Best of luck with anything you are doing. John Finch