Pluskylang Great Film overall

Jacomedi A Surprisingly Unforgettable Movie!

Roy Hart If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

Sarita Rafferty There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

cemilne-630-761407 I'm going to admit up front, I'm not a fan of Jeremy Piven, never have been and sure I never will be. The reason I watched this series was because I became accustomed to watching Masterpiece Theatre on Sunday nights for Downton Abbey, and wanted something to fill that void in the meantime. Before the series started, I read about Mr. Selfridge in Wikipedia and other venues. His story was very interesting and very compelling, so despite Jeremy Piven being in the starring role, I was very interested. I liked the first season OK, but it went downhill each and every season. I was really glad when it was over (not like Downton Abbey, when I cried because it was over). When I visited London in 2013, I made it a point to visit Selfridge's, and I wasn't disappointed. I've never in my life seen a department store quite like it, and sure I never will again, its an amazing place. What I didn't like most about this series wasn't Jeremy Piven (although his acting is pretty awful, I just don't like his delivery, very stiff and very acted, doesn't feel real at all), but my dislike had more to do with the various other story lines of mostly invented people in Selfridge's life, and the distorted truth of many of the real ones. For example, his son does marry a store clerk, but they move away and Selfridge never saw his grandchildren from Gordon. It got pretty sappy and syrupy and convoluted which doesn't feel like a Masterpiece Theatre kind of series. I think the biggest example is of this is when George Trawler goes from being a timid, scared, mentally unstable person totally dependent on his sister to a strong, smart, sure of himself manly man. I thought that was a very strange transition. I wouldn't recommend this show, and I wouldn't watch it again.

lilguy1-1 I agree with many of the reviewers that Mr. Selfridge holds its own as a high-quality drama. There are many reasons for this, including the writing, the costumes and sets, and the supporting cast. But I also agree with those who mention that Jeremy Piven is the weak link in the drama, even though he is the central character. His acting never seems convincing emotionally and lacks depth, especially compared to the performances of all the other characters. When he acts I involuntarily find myself grimacing, hoping things will improve, but they never do. But the strength of the rest of the cast saves the day and continues to make this a compelling program.

Syl I wished that I would have liked it more but the series is fine but not excellent. Jeremy Piven should have been nominated for an Emmy for playing American born Harry Gordon Selfridge (founder and owner of Selfridge's department store in London, England). Harry rose to the ranks in Chicago, Illinois at Marshall Fields' department store. Jeremy Piven was born and raised in Chicago himself to an acting family. He is the perfect choice to play Selfridge though. Frances O'Connor plays Rosalie, his long suffering wife. Kika Markham plays his mother, Lois. When Harry comes to London, he is a bit obnoxious and arrogant towards the British institution and society. Sure, Harry was a brilliant businessman who understood the department store and revitalized it. The Selfridges' today is not under the same ownership but carries the name. When tourists are in London, they flock to Harrods but Selfridges is also popular. With this series, Selfridges could have the same amount of tourists as Harrods. The story of Selfridges is quite interesting though. Harry Gordon Selfridge died penniless though despite Selfridges' success and becoming an institution in London itself. He should have been knighted for his services to the department store but he wasn't. Too bad, he should have been awarded at least an honorary Knighthood before he died.

Salvatore Cocco I have no right to judge this, because I only saw the first episode. But watching even only this first episode was a waste of time. It is just not my cup of tea. I did expect an English costume drama, but what I saw was a music video. There is a lot of overacting, like in the silent movies. Therefore, one can not relate to the characters, because there are no characters. There are only images, music, words and more music and 'stylish' camera moves and a bit of music again! Like I said, it's no more then an expensive and long music video. How can people like this? Maybe this is one of those rare series you like or hate! There's nothing in between. But then I ask myself, how can one love such crap.