Radio Times: Review by:; David Brown

Christos Tsiolkas’s novel about the reverberations from a moment of brutality at a suburban barbecue has polarised readers across the land. And now comes this suitably tense eight-part dramatisation, which is sure to bring its debate about contemporary morality to a wider audience.

The setting is Melbourne, where the family and friends of Greek-Australian Hector (Jonathan LaPaglia) have gathered to celebrate his 40th birthday at a party thrown by his wife Aisha (Sophie Okonedo). Emotions are running high thanks to an uncomfortable mix of hidden resentments, hostile glowers and substance abuse. And then comes the slap of the title, which throws into sharp relief all the issues of class and race that have been bubbling away under the surface.

You may come away feeling that these aren’t people with whom you’d want to spend a lot of time in real life, but their flaws and anxieties certainly make for compelling viewing. Okonedo, in particular, is on fine form as a woman doing her best to keep her rage and frustrations submerged.

About this programme

1/8. On the eve of his 40th birthday, suburbanite Hector prepares to attend a garden party thrown by his family. However, while his wife Aisha struggles to get everything ready, he is wrestling with his attraction to a far younger woman. As the day unfolds, tensions begin to emerge between both his relatives and their guests - until a shocking incident changes the lives of all those in attendance. Australian drama, based on Christos Tsiolkas' novel, starring Jonathan LaPaglia, Sophie Okonedo and Melissa George.