The Virtues (miniseries)
The Virtues is a 2019 British drama miniseries written by Shane Meadows and Jack Thorne, starring Stephen Graham, Niamh Algar, Helen Behan and Vauxhall Jermaine.
| The Virtues | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Drama |
| Written by | Shane Meadows Jack Thorne |
| Directed by | Shane Meadows |
| Starring | Stephen Graham Niamh Algar Helen Behan Frank Laverty Mark O'Halloran Liam Carney Niamh Cusack Deidre Donnelly Juliet Ellis Vauxhall Jermaine Shea Michael Shaw |
| Composer(s) | PJ Harvey |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 4 |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Mark Herbert Nickie Sault |
| Running time | 46 mins (Ep 1) 47 mins (Ep 2) |
| Production company(s) | Warp Films, Big Arty Productions |
| Release | |
| Original network | Channel 4 |
| Picture format | 16:9 1080i |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original release | 15 May – 5 June 2019 |
Plot
Joseph's life breaks down when his young son and ex-wife move to Australia. He travels to Ireland, seeking out his estranged sister Anna, whom he has not seen in over thirty years. In doing so, he unearths a horrific incident from his past, the memory of which he has long-since suppressed.
Cast
- Stephen Graham as Joseph
- Niamh Algar as Dinah
- Helen Behan as Anna
- Frank Laverty as Michael
- Mark O'Halloran as Craigy
- Vauxhall Jermaine as David
- Deirdre Donnelly as Susan, Dinah's mother
Episodes
Episode 1
When his ex-partner emigrates to Australia with her son and new partner David (Vauxhall Jermaine), Joseph suffers a relapse of his alcoholism. Waking up hungover and distraught, he uses the last of his money to return to his birthplace in Ireland, in search of answers about his troubled past.
Episode 2
Joseph arrives in Ireland and reconnects with his sister Anna, who he has not seen since he ran away from an orphanage, aged 9. Anna's husband Michael gives Joseph work on a building site, where he meets fellow labourer Craigy. Recognising Joseph from his brief time at the orphanage, he suggests they meet up, but Joseph seems reluctant.
Episode 3
Joseph visits the orphanage, but the vivid memories it brings to the surface turn him to alcohol once again. Waking up in the middle of the night, he finds a connection with Michael's sister Dinah, and the two begin to kiss. The pair are interrupted by Anna, who admonishes her brother, and informs Dinah that she sees her actions as extremely hurtful and disrespectful. The next morning, Anna warns Joseph off Dinah, who it is hinted has demons of her own. Craigy offers to help Joseph talk through his experiences at the orphanage, but although still not able to remember the full details of his time there, Joseph reacts badly to the idea, lashing out at Craigy.
Dinah decides to try and reconnect with the baby she gave up for adoption when she was 15, and secures a meeting with the woman who managed the adoption process. She begins to write a letter for the boy, who she named Finn, explaining why she felt she had to give him away.
Episode 4
Joseph and Dinah begin to learn more about each other's past. Although initially determined not to act upon their feelings for each other, the temptation becomes too much. However, Joseph becomes nervous, and then suffers a severe panic attack, resulting in him being admitted to hospital. The next morning, Joseph reveals to Anna that the panic attack was brought on by his realisation that he was raped at the orphanage by a teenage boy.
Dinah meets the woman who arranged Finn's adoption but is told that the boy's new family do not want her to reenter his life. It becomes apparent that the boy sent a number of letters and drawings to Dinah some years previously but was distraught when he did not receive a reply. Dinah insists that she never received any of the correspondence, and it is revealed that they were intercepted and destroyed by her mother, who did not wish to be reminded of her daughter's teenage pregnancy.
Joseph apologises to Craigy for lashing out and talks to him about the details of his childhood rape. Craigy tells Joseph that he was also raped by the same teen at the orphanage, Damon, who later coerced Craigy into luring Joseph as a new victim for his abuse. Joseph forgives Craigy for his role in the assault but demands to know Damon's address. Dinah, in despair after learning the reasons behind being denied access to Finn, desperately tries to contact Michael, but he does not answer her calls. In the absence of Michael's guidance, Dinah sets off to confront her mother at her home, while Joseph pays a visit to Damon.
In the final scenes, Joseph finds Damon living in a rundown house, terminally ill. He seeks answers, but Damon is unapologetic, citing his own childhood abuse at the hands of others. Joseph admits that he came to kill him, but he now feels no need, as he can carry on living his life with his newfound family, while Damon will die alone. Joseph kisses him on the forehead, telling him that he is forgiven, and then leaves. It is revealed however that after reliving the abuse of the past, and his role in it, Craigy has hanged himself in his home.
Meanwhile, Dinah confronts her mother about her actions, and they reveal their mutual hatred. Dinah's mother admits that she burned Finn's letters, feeling that showing them to Dinah would needlessly bring back to the surface events that she would rather forget. After a stormy row, Dinah is overcome with rage and strangles her mother to death.
Reception
The series received a highly positive reception. A 5-star Guardian review of the finale stated that "the skill of Meadows was evident throughout" the series, and praised his "masterful handling of such painful material".[1] Another 5-star review from The Daily Telegraph called the series a "dramatic masterpiece".[2]
References
- Seale, Jack (5 June 2019). "The Virtues finale review – a drama so emotional it left you gasping for air". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
- Wilson, Benji (5 June 2019). "The Virtues, final episode, review: this dramatic masterpiece ended with at least one flicker of hope". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 10 July 2019.