Stometer
Save your money for something good and enjoyable
Bea Swanson
This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.
Bob
This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.
Wyatt
There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.
jackiemirek
As an American, I have nothing really invested in whether or not this represents Ireland accurately or well, or if it measures up to The Sopranos or The Wire, two common comps for this show. I'm just curious about TV and can watch and appreciate anything. And having said that, I really don't think any of the strengths or flaws of this show have much to do with any particular national pride either. They're pretty universal.First, the good. The guy playing Nidge is fantastically sleazy, and he only gets moreso as the show goes on. How he manages to keep it from spilling over into scenery chewing or overacting is impressive. The same goes for Fran. This dude does hot and cold , terrifying and reasonable in a way that unnervingly realistic. I easily could know this guy, I'm glad I don't. Also, as the seasons go on, the scripting gets better at suspense, stuff doesn't seem to happen at the same plot churning, almost melodramatic way, all the shootings and changing loyalties and all that. Another big plus for me was the cop. I know that storyline represented a weird shift in focus for some people, but that character is so level headed yet sympathetic, I enjoyed his scenes with Siobhan especially as she came to her dilemma.Now the bad. I'm sort of shocked that a show produced in this decade is so unapologetically sexist. Just about every single woman is either a wife with no storyline of her own (really, after FIVE seasons Trish couldn't be more than the gangster's wife who a. complains or b. looks sexy, really!?), a pregnant girlfriend who *just can't abide by this lifestyle anymore!* before she leaves to never be seen again, a crack whore with no agency who becomes useless (What exactly happened to Debbie?), a regular whore who appears only to have sex with the men, a wife/ girlfriend who gets killed to tip off a revenge plot, or a woman raped onscreen whose storyline turns into being "disloyal" to the comatose boyfriend who had more story in the wake of the rape than she did. And the moment when she actually makes a bold decision that can change everyone's lives, she gets killed. Nice.Another major sign that the writing is subpar - the entire Tommy storyline. No matter what I consider I cannot wrap my brain around WHY he had to be in a coma TWICE, including the entire last season, without so much as a single MOMENT of wakefulness to wrap up his story. Did this actor piss someone off? What was ultimately the point of Tommy? To sleep with everyone's women and then slowly die onscreen? Why not kill him quickly? There wasn't even a CHANCE of him waking to offer Siobhan dilemma about talking to the cops and him finding out. Unbelievably amatuerish writing on this account.There are more strengths and weaknesses, but those come to mind immediately. I really don't mind that the budget on this show isn't HBO levels, or that some likable characters met (sometimes too abrupt) ends. But its flaws are big enough to keep it out of conversations about prestige TV.
scancook
This show only really take shape at Season 4. For the first three seasons feel like drug dealing for dummies and IRA for dummies. Season four really sees this show find its feet , it's well paced writing has catapulted it to levels of the Wire and the Sopranos. Great performances from very convincing actors playing street wise thugs unlike most shows that use spoilt brats trying to play streetwise characters. Very raw, well paced, chilling and unpredictable. Very well directed , introducing each plot in a collage of images at introduction to each episode , preparing for what's ahead. I look forward to season five.
Michael O'rourke
When I first heard of Love/Hate from the lads I simply passed it off as another poorly produced RTE show that will lose audiences within a month. I can honestly tell you now that it was the Wrongest I've ever been in my entire life. Love/Hate has taken a forceful hold on me since the very First episode with its fantastic writing well scripted characters and an honest take on gangland DublinAs the show has gone on it's clear that Love/Hate has dramatically improved into one of those shows that should not only have critical acclaim from the Irish nation but rather from the every nation.Its the closest an Irish show will ever get to the best ever made such as the Wire and The sopranos and it gives it a good run for its money.With the sudden news that Season 5 of Love/Hate will be its last viewers can walk away from the show mesmerized by its fine attention to detail and again by the brilliant dialog from the shows writers. Love/Hate needs to be known to people. If not now than soon because it truly is a fantastic show with a lot of Love and no Hate!
phillo74-1
Being Irish myself, I was at first hesitant about this show. I mean, how good could it really be right? Especially when the bar has been set by the likes of Fair City...or Glenroe. But, I said I'd take my chances...and, boy, am I glad I did! Love/Hate is gritty, funny, dramatic, intense. It leaves you with cliffhangers, and has you constantly thinking about what's going to happen next. The cast do an amazing job - sometimes I can't believe it's Irish talent I'm seeing on my screen - and, best of all, the series' are short and sweet; with 4 episodes in season 1, and 6 episodes (each) in seasons 2 & 3. I urge everyone to watch this show! Even the gardaí (cops in Ireland) think its realistic...Try it out. You won't be disappointed!10/10