Bonking and bifold doors

Obsession plus books, podcast, Keanu

Keanu Reeves at the peak of his powers in Point Break

Putting this P.S at the top purely so I can use Keanu as the header image.

My husband suggested a re-watch of Point Break (original 1991 version, not the 2015 remake, obviously) and my god, it was fun.

Bank heists, sexy surfing, Patrick Swayze’s blonde mullet, Keanu at his most beautiful. 10/10

Don’t worry, I watched Obsession so you don’t have to

The new Netflix series is based on the 1991 novel, Damage by Josephine Hart which was already made in to a film starring Jeremy Irons and Juliette Binoche. I didn’t like the film so I’m not sure why I watched this but, regrettably, I did so we might as well just deal with it.

In the new version, William, a “brilliant surgeon” embarks on a destructive and frankly bewildering affair with his son’s girlfriend, Anna, a damaged young civil servant! (played by Charlie Murphy AKA Ann Gallagher from Happy Valley who gets 5 style points here for a very good curly fringe). William is married to Indira Varma, for god’s sake - she’s gorgeous and charming. Go home to your wife!

People will watch this series because of all the sex but if you remove the shagging and relentless, ominous music, all you’re left with is William staring out of the bifold doors of his expensively furnished living room, and various characters thoughtfully quaffing red wine.

We’re constantly told how complicated Anna is but it’s all very tell-don’t-show. There is no nuance to her character development and William says so few actual words of dialogue that even his motivations to sabotage his charmed life are unclear beyond insatiable horniness.

Have you watched Obsession? Please dish in the comments below.

You have to read…

I initially dismissed We All Want Impossible Things, a newish novel by Catherine Newman, because I wasn’t sure I had the stomach for the subject matter. The story follows the final months of a 40 year friendship after a terminal cancer diagnosis. Humorous hospice buddy story isn’t an easy sell is it? And yet, my friend Debs urged us to choose it for Book Club and I’m so pleased she did. This is a gorgeous, properly funny novel. Sad, yes but very enjoyable.

Next on my bedside table

I’m about to start reading Shark Heart by Emily Habeck (out in August). The premise is bonkers. A few weeks after Lewis and Wren’s wedding, Lewis receives a rare diagnosis - he’s turning into a great white shark and has less than a year left to live as a human. I know, it’s time to embrace some magical thinking. I’ll let you know how I get on.

A new kind of podcast

I’m looking forward to the 10-part audio drama podcast series, People Who Knew Me, executive produced by Sharon Horgan and voiced by Rosamund Pike. It tells the story of a woman, Emily Morris, who uses 9/11 to fake her own death and run away to start a new life in California. I’m not usually one for radio plays or True Crime but something in the middle, from the mind of Sharon Horgan, has to be worth a go. Coming 23 May.

Talk to me in the comments!

See you next time.

Hannah