Sensitive Skin

Accurately described as a bittersweet comedy, this excellent DVD brings together all of the episodes from the first season of Sensitive Skin. And if you missed it first time round, you’re in for a treat.
With Joanna Lumley in the lead role, Sensitive Skin follows her character Davina and Denis Lawson’s Al as a 60-year old couple with a 30-year old son. Their life though is far from idyllic, courtesy of the variety of fears, temptations and jealousies that go to make up their lives. Throw in their assorted friends and relatives too, and it’s quite a cocktail.
What’s pleasing though is how well it works. Courtesy of some clever, witty and mature writing, there’s little shirking away from both the highs and lows of the lives involved. But there’s plenty to enjoy and giggle at too, not least where the aforementioned son is concerned!
As you’d expect, the performances of both Lumley and Lawson are highly potent, and add a sheen of class to an already good quality production. That, mixed in with diligent direction, make Sensitive Skin one of the finer television treats of recent years. It’s unsurprising that it earned a second series.
For now though, consider the first warmly recommended. The six episodes on this DVD cover such a warm, yet occasionally bitter, mix of drama and comedy, that it’s a tricky dish to resist. And we wouldn’t recommend you try to anyway.

The second series of this beautifully observed, bitter-sweet metropolitan comedy from the producer of Marion & Geoff sees Joanna Lumley (Davina Jackson) joined by an all-star supporting cast.
Having been at the cutting edge of her generation's cultural upheavals, now Davina must find her way through the huge emotional and sexual challenges of being sixty, sexy... and a widow. Life around sixty is never simple as viewers will discover - laughing with Davina's misfortunes, sympathising with her predicament, and getting glimpses into her most private moments.
Davina attempts to start her life again, six months after the death of Al. She embarks on a journey to rediscover personal happiness, however her efforts are hampered by the difficulties she faces in coping with grief alone and Veronica, who is still blaming her for everything she can.