Linbeymusol
Wonderful character development!
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.
Phillipa
Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.
Danny
I would've given SDOACG an 8 out of 10, if it wasn't for the show's finale, which was ultimately unsatisfying and which didn't do justice to the growth of Hannah's character throughout 4 series. I liked Billie Piper here, and I appreciated how the show made an effort to make some nice lighthearted moments, even when they were "scandalous". Some of my favorite instances included her adventures with quite unconventional clients (handicapped teenage boys, an old couple wanting to check out a threesome, kinky rotund men) and one of my favorite episodes would have to be the one where she hired a call boy for a change. That was funny!What I didn't like, though, was how Ben and Hannah's story was concluded. What essentially happened with the finale was that Hannah didn't grow up like we all expected she would. I'm all for the idea of being a strong independent woman, but by rejecting Ben and actively choosing to be a madame in her own right, we see Hannah as simply choosing to be Belle for the rest of her life, with no emotional attachments whatsoever. Which is exactly how the entire series started -- and the finale only made us feel as if we went back to square one. The ending made me feel cheated; the writers turned Ben into this clingy, overly demanding boyfriend, and it turned Hannah into this defensive, spoiled girl who has double standards for what sex and respect should be like in a relationship. I would admit though that I would definitely give the first half of the show a second screening (or multiple reruns, even!) because they're a hoot and just about every episode is guaranteed to give you a good time. Also, do not go on Tumblr while you're watching because people there have a tendency of posting extensive spoilers, which might sometimes ruin important plot points. Have a great time watching this!
Not Jim
Well, this was lovely! I only started this series because of Billie Piper (and the fact that Matt Smith would be in one episode), but I ended up actually enjoying it... So much I spent every free second of my last three days watching Secret Diary of a Call Girl. It's a light-hearted, funny production with interesting characters that allowed me to understand better the world of (high-class) escorts while getting attached to the protagonist and everyone around her. Surely, the series is faulty at some points; there are some loose ends, characters come and go without ever being mentioned again, but all in all, I enjoyed myself a lot and actually felt like I had finally found something I could watch for hours, non-stop, without getting bored. Four seasons, 42 episodes, 22 minutes per episode and much more fun than I was expecting.
BadWolf2006
Cheeky, sassy and sexy-three words that sum up ITV 2's secret diary of a call girl. The music, the sets and the dialogue are raunchy, fast and jaw dropping-and thats just the first episode! Billie Piper was the perfect choice to play Belle, a high class prostitute living in London. Belle is more than happy to share her view on prostitution with us, explaining the highs and the lows, the different areas and how she copes. We also see Belle tackling several situations, including a client who likes her for who she is, not for the work she does, an awkward 42 year old client, and of course her keeping her double life secret from those she loves.She pretends shes a legal secretary for a night firm-"its so boring, no-one ever asks me about it,"-just one of the many memorable quotes. Her best friend and ex boyfriend Ben is a series regular, but will she finally tell all about her double life? Secret Diary was the best thing on TV in 2007, and Billie Piper plays sassy, streetwise Belle with an edge-this is a perfect role for her and it is evident she enjoys playing it. All eight episodes are worth a look.Yes it's racey, yes its cheeky, yes it's sexy, but it's deeper than that-watch it!
DVD_Connoisseur
"Secret Diary of a Call Girl", Billie Piper's controversial and highly adult series, is the first home-grown drama from ITV2. Based on the blog and subsequent novel by the mysterious Belle de Jour, this is an insight into the life of a high-end call girl who turns normal prostitute stereotypes on their head. Annoyingly, the production has a slightly soft focus sheen which gives it a somewhat abstract (and low budget) feel. Visualise an '80s pop promo and you'll know what I mean!It's only a matter of minutes before the first episode kicks into gear with Piper delivering energetic, simulated fellatio on a gawping customer. For British television, this is no-holds-barred stuff with "F" and "C" words, and relatively graphic imagery at every turn. I was pleasantly surprised at the bravery of this drama - it doesn't disappoint but despite the sexual gymnastics on display, the series lacks any real erotic content. It has the substance of a late-night MTV video.Piper herself delivers a great performance. She's as likable as always as both Hannah and her late-night alter ego and she makes the most of the relatively light material contained within the script.The beautiful Cherie Lunghi plays Piper's agent, Stephanie, a no-nonsense, straight-talking businesswoman. Marvellous stuff.8 out of 10. With this series, Piper has shrugged off the shadow of "Doctor Who"'s Rose and entered a whole new territory. Without a doubt, she's an actress that will continue to enjoy success in the fields of television and cinema.