What our troubled and over-heated world needs more of these days, in my opinion, is pure escapism --- something to divert our attention from the horror of it all now and then. Which is why I've been binge-watching "Hotel Portofino" the last couple of evenings.
New this year from BritBox, the five-episode series is described now and then as Downton meets The Durrells --- and there's a good deal of truth in that. I'm getting old, so I'd add budget Merchant and Ivory.
Other than sheer escapism, the production really has no redeeming social value if you discount gorgeous settings and a compelling cast.
The drama centers on Bella Ainworth (Natascha McElhone), an upper-crust English expat who operates a villa turned hotel on the Italian Riviera called --- you've guessed it --- Hotel Portofino. She comes equipped with a caddish husband (Mark Umbers), two decorative but slightly wounded children (Oliver Dench --- Dame Judith's nephew --- and Olivia Morris) and a compelling supporting cast.
Among my favorites --- Pasquale Esposito as an evil little functionary in Benito Mussolini's rising fascist movement, a darker thread that winds its way through the series.
In some ways it's very old-fashioned --- there are no corpses scattered about as in our oversupply of dreary crime dramas, the sex (both straight and gay) is implied rather than acted out in front of the camera and if you're interested in nudity look elsewhere.
But I found the whole thing very restful and, as I understand it, a second series already has been commissioned.
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