Cilla

This ITV biopic of Cilla Black caused quite a stir when it was shown back in September, and now I have finally gotten around to watching it so I can see why.

In short - it is rather great. Stunning performances, quite intrinsic and sublime music, interesting factual inspiration and compelling subject manner - all wrapped up in three hour-long episodes. For me personally, most biopics, particularly those featuring times gone by and particularly those focusing on musical stars (be it on the small or big screen) work best when they do not make too much of a fuss and a show about what they are doing. 

A few musical biopics from previous years have initially fallen short for me just because the feel of the show is to flashy and trying too hard at being impactful. Surely the right idea is to find a subject, craft a good script, find the right talent and let the story flow from there.

This is exactly what Cilla does more often than not. Charting the iconic woman's rise from office typist/ club singer to the beginnings of global super stardom, as well as her relationship with manager Brian Epstein and on-off manager and lover Bobby Willis.

Obviously, the one to play Cilla Black must be key, and Sheridan Smith is absolutely fantastic. To me she is the stand out performance by a mile. Perfectly crafted and centered in her origins, great Scouse accent and all, her persona and charm is instantly that of Cilla Black. Not only that, but she is credited with performing all her own musical numbers and rightly so. Her vocals are immediately recognizable as representative of Cilla Black, but also with oodles of Smith's own sass and talent. Singing or not, the sheer power and plethora of wonder that exudes from Sheridan Smith is divine; there is no end to the heart, passion, sass, sex appeal, beauty, drama and emotion - she is a true joy to watch.

Her opposite leading man, the relative unknown Aneurin Barnard, plays Bobby Willis. At times Barnard's performance is very good and very quick to relate to us the humble, gritty nature of this home-grown character, and also the parallel versus opposite relationship with Cilla is palpable and the pair's chemistry tangible. Yet at times, the believability of Barnard just flops a tad, and there were a few scenes per episode where I just felt he was coasting through them without much effort or input.

Another key player/character we must mention is Ed Stoppard as legendary music manager Brian Epstein. Again occasionally I found him a bit one-dimensional, but mostly Epstein's fragility, gravity and magnetism were allowed to shine through quite pleasingly indeed.

Other welcome performances? Well Cilla's parents, played by Melanie Hill and John Henshaw respectively, were both very grounded, very funny and very entertaining characters executed perfectly. It was also a treat to see interpretations of the young Beatles, including Jack Farthing of Blandings playing John Lennon.

Really though, for all of Cilla's positive and negative points, I for one just cannot get away from the fabulous Sheridan Smith as the titular role. She for me is what makes the representation of Cilla, and this small series truly and masterfully come alive.