Customer Reviews
Very depressing and funny - By: J. Alan, 14 Jun 2008 
One particular episode I had to watchin three different parts because it was so depressing.
When you think you're low, this one shows you that there is still way to go
HUMAN REMAINS WAS IMPROVISED - By: Marc S. Sinclair, 03 Sep 2007 
I was the Casting Director on this production & supplied over 300 Support Artists for the six shows - this proved a nightmare as the whole series was improvised by Rob Brydon & Julia Davis on locationin East Sussex & the changes to "script" occured hourly, thus the requirements of extra actors & support artists was increased expotentially. However it was great fun to be involved with & Rob & Julia were great fun. Marc Sinclair
Darkly delicious - By: Robert Bustin, 02 Sep 2007 This mockumentary highlighting the relationship between six mostly profoundly mismatched couplesin as many episodes is one of the most disturbingly funny, beautifully shot, & tightly scripted series I have ever seen.
Rob Brydon & Julia Davis both wrote & actedin the series; each portrays a palette of characters which is each convincing & beautifully developed, distinct, & with real depth. If it weren't for its restrained twistedness, you would be convinced these were genuine people- it just looks so documentary. Half the time, you won't know whether you should be laughing or crying as the darkly desperate details of the mundane & mostly banal misery of each couples' lives unfold - I know you're thinking crying is the proper answer, but I was borderline hypoxic much of the time because this dark desperation comes cloakedin brilliant, straight-faced absurdity. The scary thing is, we all know people who are not so far removed from these characters, & the series is like a looking glass into their inner workings.
There is nothing slapstick about Human Remains- this is comedy best watched with your ears more than your eyes- & much of it is subtle. Because of this, you can watch the series time after time, & each time get a slightly different take than the last time. Now, that's value for money. This series is a work of genius & worthy of great respect.
Scary Cynicism - By: Elmer Craven, 12 Jan 2006 
One of the most fantastically cynical comedies you will ever see... Some of the stuff here would give Mike Leigh a good run for his moneyin the bleak humor sweepstakes. The acting is incredible, Rob Drydonin particular would give the likes of Pacino & DeNiro a good run for their moneyin the method acting sweepstakes. Putting sundry sweepstakes aside for the moment, it doesn't get the full five stars because at times the writing is a bit too predictable & formulaic; sometimes it's obvious what's coming next. Overall, its a great tonic to the rediculousness of modern life, but be careful, it may end up depressing you.
Very Good - By: , 06 Feb 2005 Having really enjoyed Nighty Night & Marion & Geoff this was an obvious purchase as it combines the talents of two of my favorite comic performers of recent years.
The episodes have some great side-splitting moments as you would expect, & some great acting from the support actors as well as Rob Brydon & Julia Davis. And typically there are lots of subtle details that mean you need to pay close attention to get all the jokes.
The DVD is also very generous with plenty of extra material, including the original improv that the actors did to come up with the characters.
The original improv, commentary & outakes are actually some of the funniest (and revealing) material on the DVD. It's almost worth listening to the commentary first to spot all the jokes as some of them are actually too subtle to pick up from the episodes proper.
The only downside is that this series didn't work quite as well as either Marion & Geoff or Nighty Night & there are some quiet periodsin some of the episodes. Plus the porn scene is All Over My Glasses is a little too brutal to be funny. Interestingly the actors seem to agree judging by the DVD commentary.
Still it is fascinating to see & hear how Rob Brydon & Julia Davis developed the characters & there are enough funny momments & great performances to make it a worthwhile purchase. It's worth it just for some of the classic linesin "An English Squeak" & "Slither In".
I really wanted to give this 5 stars but I've only given 4 stars because it wasn't quite as well-finished as other programmes that Rob Brydon & Julia Davis have done.
