Radio Times

The publicity blurb for one-off drama Compulsion (Monday 4 May, ITV1) tells us that it's "loosely based on the Jacobean tragedy The Changeling, written by Thomas Middleton and William Rowley in 1622." Which must mean that it's a bit posh and classy, right?

Yeah, right, as The Young People say. It's more like every portly middle-aged man's fantasy. Ray Winstone, whose production company made Compulsion, plays the portly, middle-aged and faithful retainer Flowers, who is chauffeur and general factotum to a wealthy Indian businessman and his family.

Flowers doesn't say much, but he is pining for the love of the wealthy businessman's beautiful young daughter, Anjika (ER's Parminder Nagra). She's a self-possessed young woman with a degree from Cambridge and a presentable English boyfriend, and she doesn't take kindly to her father's plans to arrange her a marriage to the son of a business associate.

The taciturn Flowers, who sniffs Anjika's discarded evening gloves in a really creepy way, offers to help solve her little problem. But in return she has to have sex with him. She's repulsed, but after she does the deed, what do you know? Yes, she falls head over heels for Flowers and the pair embark on a torrid affair. I told you it was every portly middle-aged man's fantasy, didn't I?

All it takes is emotional and sexual blackmail, so that a woman who patently doesn't like you agrees to go to bed with you, and, way-hey, after one night of passion the woman of your dreams just can't get enough of you.

I think Compulsion tries to say something about the nature of destructive sexual obsession, but it ends up just being icky, as Winstone grunts and sweats all over the dainty, doll-like Parminder Nagra. This is after she's begged him for sex, Flowers having growled at her: "This time I want you to ask for it."

Of course, Compulsion could be dismissed as nonsense, but it shouldn't be, because of a horribly graphic rape sequence that is made worse because it's not actually a rape as such - the woman has to pretend it is, for reasons I won't bore you with.

You know, I'm sick of seeing this most loathsome and revolting of crimes portrayed in television dramas, and I don't want to see it again. I was upset enough after a lurid and deeply unpleasant episode of the recent, badly flawed Law & Order: UK, in which the Freema Agyeman character was drugged and brutally raped by her gynaecologist; a double whammy there - not only was she attacked, but she was attacked by a man in whom a woman must place all of her trust. So thanks for scaring us. Nice one.

And you can lard any such programme with all the warnings and all the offers of helpline numbers that you want to, it doesn't mean it's right. No-one should kid themselves that showing a rape is in some way helping women who have suffered in such a way. It's just wrong.

Alison Graham is TV editor of Radio Times

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Is Alison right - should scenes like those in Compulsion be stricken from our screens? Post a comment below and share your thoughts.

It was a top notch drama like the old great classic films that are always popular yrs later.Very deep but sadly a few who only saw the surface.Look if you now somthing is likly to offend dont have watch it.Or change channel over like normal people,it was awsome acting and filming 10 out 10 with a Brucie bonus as well.

Wow! What a lot of over-reaction! This was an ITV drama also known as a story, which means it is not real. To be perfectly frank - if it offended viewers in any way, noone was forcing them to watch it - turn it off! I watched from beginning to end and thought it very well acted. I disagree entirely about Anjika being supressed or any kind of victim in this. She did not have to take any part in anything, Flowers never forced her. She made a deal and delivered on it. From that point on when she realised that she enjoyed sex with Flowers (older man clearly less selfish than her boyfriend Alex) she was firmly in charge. He would have done, and did do ANYTHING for her, including give his own life.

The human mind is a complex thing as is our physical being. Anyone who can tell me they have not been attracted to someone and didn't understand why is not being entirely honest.

Congratulations ITV and RW's production company for having the balls to make some intriguingly complex TV that wasn't for a target demographic. Yes it may not be everyone's cup of tea, but as I said earlier, if it's not - turn off!

I would normally swear by Alison Grahams reviews. If she says watch it - I'd rush to the TV. If she says its rubbish avoid it like the plague. What's been happening Alison. I'm beginning to wonder. Take this useless, disappointing, in fact ( don't lets pull any punches) cringe worthy ' Boy meets Girl. Its unashamed uncomfortable twaddle which is so obviously written by a man. Or is that supposed to be its good point? The fact that it makes me cringe? Are TV programmes so pointless now that we are meant to feel glad when something makes us feel anything even if its totally uncomfortable. I am so disappointed with this programme. Alison can't sing its praises enough but when I've watched it I have found myself sat there shrieking at the TV " For God's sake find each other and get it over with".

What happened Alison? I thought I could rely on your choice. I feel so let down!!!

Masterful weaving of suspenseful foreboding, crackling passion with dark heinous crime in the air. What a superb production!

Camera work and colour beautifully wrought and the borrowing of shakespeare' phrase "what's done is done" sent a shiver up my spine. Ive seen this production twice now but am still to find the "graphic" rape scene. The rape scene appeared to be "graphic" to some because of the superb acting and plot construction which built the suspense to fever pitch level.

This is the best tv drama I have seen in years. Well done!

Alison you obviously haven't a clue what goes on in the real world, if you think this affair is unrealistic! This is a very good film.

I think most contributers have not read the female lead's interpretation of the Anjika character (as stated in one of the ITV press packs). She played her as a "spoiled and manipulative" young woman from a priviliged background. Anjika's decision, as it was played, was fully considered, Flowers' insistence on his pound of flesh had little to do with it.

As for the idea that people (men) involved in theatrical production have no option but to resort to sleazy screenwriting to act out their fantasies - well, what can I say to that! Concerning the quick change of attitude to the Flowers character - the concept/reality of women becoming attracted to repulsive men is so common as to be almost a cliche, particularly in cases where the woman is relatively inexperienced and the man is accomplished in the execution of the venereal arts. The woman cannot help but make comparison. This is demonstrated in the lovemaking scene with the boyfriend after her first experience with Flowers when it was very clear that Anjika (as portrayed) was significantly "underwhelmed" by the selfish manner in which he achieved his gratification. All in all, there was one clear "winner" and it certainly was not Flowers

I enjoyed Compulsion. It portrays dark sides of life that exist. I disagree that it panders to middle-aged men's fantasies. Really? Not in my case, or anyone I know; might that presumption reflect more on the psyche of the presumer?

Have to say I agree with the review - I've always admired Ray W and found his performances compelling but this smacked far too much of sleazy wish fulfillment. And Anjika's about-turn to lusting for him was totally unbelievable. I thought Nagra was very good and showed some depth, or would have if the role had allowed for it, and I wasn't bothered by the "rape" scene(s) as they were significant plot devices rather than gratuitous straightforward rape. Finding out about RW's production involvement has just made me agree more with the pronouncement "icky".

You can't get rid of them completely. Maybe they should show these sorts of things after 11pm?

I thought it was sickening. Sexually violent crimes seeping with elements of pleasure. Absolutely disgusting there is no need for such TV. Fantasy is dangerous and needs to be moderated.

I need to go see a bloody hypnotist do get these revolting images out of my head.

Agree completely that showing a scene of graphic rape - every frame to the end - does no favours to women, in fact a lot of harm I should guess with some kind of men getting their jollies watching it. In 'Mad Men' there was an uncomfortable scene when Joanie, the Office Manager, was raped on the floor of the office by her doctor fiance; this distasteful act was most tastefully/ cleverly shot - with the camera eventually closed up to Joanie's perplexed & submissive expression. How adult, and not salacious. There was deep meaning in the whole scene and you felt completely for her and what was contained in her face.

I generally enjoyed the programme which I thought was well done. It addressed some pertinent issues without belabourment (e.g."What, live with you in a caravan!") To tell the truth, the only definite rape I can remember was the act with her boyfriend following her first episode with Flowers, surely he (the boyfriend) should have had sufficient sensitivity to notice she was not willing and behaved accordingly.

The other acts, even the first, were not rape and were undertaken willingly with the attitude of a sex worker i.e. "I despise you but I am going to do this anyway for my own purposes".

I admit there were many weaknesses in the plot, particularly the friend becoming so all knowingly suspicious as a result of the text message incident - not believable!

Gerry

What a very shallow review. Surely one of the points made in the drama was that life, love, sex, lust, power, desire are all 'icky'. The part of flowers was portrayed so brilliantly by Ray Winstone who's character generally says very little but by doing so says it all. It could have been over the top but it was handled very subtley and yes the end scene is shocking but so well done and necessary to the plot. Parminda Nagra was perfect in the role as Anjika, not subvissive in the slightest but powerful and manipulative. To which she used her beauty and 'doll-like' appearence to wonderful effect. I loved this film, right down to the way Winstone superbly showed his heart breaking and made a sacrifice so huge for the person he loved. He became a monster to free her. A challenging, thought provoking story about all the beatiful and ugly 'ickyness' that is life.

I was looking forward to watching this-but was tired so I set my recorder-and looked forward to watching it today,only to find I had forgotten to rewind the tape!!! I thought no worries,I will watch a repeat on ITV 3 or 4-but no;loads of banal,inane reality shows are repeated-which I never watch the first time they are shown,but no sign of "Compulsion".This has happened before when I have missed popular shows like "The Bill"-and I thought ITV were strapped for cash!!!

Personally Alison, I found your review awful. Of course its a matter of taste, but i feel you focused far too much on the character of Flowers. (Who, granted, was very interesting despite your views.) More compelling I thought, was the performance by Parminder Nagra. Her choices, acting and psychological reasoning at the end were compelling and extremely interesting to watch.

In particular I enjoyed MazY's comment regarding your opinion of 'sweaty middle-aged portly gentlemen' and agreed with James' comment whole heartedly.

I was surprised when I read Alison Graham's review of Compulsion in the Radio Times and resolved to watch it just to see what she was making such a fuss about. She's right that it's about destructive sexual obsession but to say it was "icky" seems somewhat shallow. As for the "horribly graphic rape sequence" I thought it was handled fairly sensitively. It was quick and the victim (was Anjika the victim here? She was involved in the deaths of two men and got away with it, marrying her nice preppy boyfriend and riding off into the sunset - nobody forced her to make the deal with the chauffeur)did stick the knife into him - or at least did not prevent his hand from guiding the knife as it repeatedly stabbed him.

Alison may not like seeing loathsome crimes portrayed on TV but, as previous writers have said, television would be pretty boring if programme-makers were prohibited from doing so. TV reflects life and loathsome crimes are committed every day. Come out of your fluffy comfort zone, Alison, this was great TV drama and Ray Winstone was terrific. I didn't find him in the least bit creepy - just honest and straightforward - but, hey, perhaps I've been around the block a few more times than Ms. Graham.

Not so much a film review as a knee-jerk reaction. And that was not a horribly graphic rape sequence at all, it was totally neccesary as a vital plot device and was handled very sensitively I thought.

Wow! Alison, did that film hit a nerve?

As i read your article it became ever more apparent that you were in fact a woman. Only a woman could evoke such hatred for a film in which a female was in the submissive role.

Upon reading the previous comments as well as your own review, it begs the question, and i put it to you, why would a nervous, scared rape victim watch a film based on and continually showing rape and rape scenes?

James and Mazy, you're missing the point. Alison's opinion is that rape being used as entertainment is not the greatest television, a viewpoint I happen to agree with. Being a TV critic, she's paid to express a view and allowed to find rape scenes repulsive and unnecessary. Just because appalling things happen in real life doesn't mean they have to be the centre of television dramas, particularly when graphic scenes are used.

I completely agree with you Alison, I'm sick of dramas that hinge on the mistreatment of women and ITV seem rather too fond of them. I think it's a lack of imagination. Sexual violence dressed up as thought-provoking drama (the Changeling, really?) is often just a tactic to up ratings.

Must admit, after reading the above I thought it was an hystrical overreaction - after all middle aged men make up a fair percentage of the television viewing audience, and what is wrong with pandering to the audiences fantasies (mos TV does!). But having watched the clip on the ITV website even I found myself bridling at Ray "one trick pony" Winstone's portrail. I got the impression he was enjoying himself rather too much, and learning his production company was responsible only makes matters worse - "hmmm, what shall i make a film about, what would i like to do?" Urrghh..... No wonder ITV is going to the dogs.

I agree with Alison, Show realism, show murder, show brutal attacks, but to dwell on any of these too long and it becomes sickening. And detailed rape is pornography. The public likes to be shocked, but to keep achieving this, directors push boundaries. It is brutalizing. Show rape, focusing on the pain and horror of it and what next? Child rape? When the child was being raped, would you like a close-up of the victims little face? Would that be brutal and dramatic enough for you James and Mazy? You can believe a story without distressing detail. Plenty of previous screen rapes have been made obvious, but stopped before descending tv that either desensitises or sickens, depending on the viewers taste.

I can't comment on Compulsion as it hasn't been transmitted yet, but crime dramaand crime fiction shows us the worst of human nature; good quality examples don't dehumanise the subject. I don't want bland television and I don't want stories and characters that aren't credible. Rape, sexual abuse and murder have a place in drama. The only responsibility of all concerned is to treat it seriously.

I think I get it now. Alison's over-the-top reviews are designed to provoke comments from the great British public. While this is a valid approach in the circumstances it would be interesting to read more balanced and thoughtful reviews.

Good gried, Alison, you've really 'gone off on one' this time haven't you?

As James before me ahs written, if television was to avoid everything that some people found too brutal or too dramatic for television, what a sad state of affairs we would be in.

I still can't quitew work out if it's the programme you dislike or just sweaty middle-aged portly gentlemen.

well done "wallander " on your BAFTA award .Supurb acting throughout.Henning Mankel and team should be proud.I happened to notice in your BAFTA "tips " that you had made somewhat of a turnaround in opinion since your xmas shopping trip with him ,Alison !!! Another series please .

Drama is supposed to be dramatic - extremely brutal in these cases. There's supposed to be a realism to them, otherwise, how can you "believe" the story or the characters you are watching?

I understand the discomfort a scene of rape would give to women who suffered in that way. But if we had to remove every scene of brutal and sickening realism from TV/Movies, for the sake of the victims - why should this not include murders, brutal attacks and other types of abuse on TV?

Should a witness of real murder or a victim of mental abuse also ask for all scenes with murders and mental abuse be removed?