Leaving

Leaving is a compelling BBC television drama mini-series from 2012 by acclaimed British screenwriter Tony Marchant. Known for tackling complex and contemporary issues, Marchant offers audiences a provocative exploration of age, power, and desire in this tightly woven narrative.

The core story of Leaving revolves around the unlikely and unorthodox relationship blooming between Julie Ranmore, a seasoned, middle-aged woman, and Aaron Simmons, a young man nearly half her age. Leanne Best plays the role of Julie, a wife and mother whose position as an events manager in a luxury Cheshire hotel provides the background for this spellbinding story. Aaron Simmons, portrayed by Callum Turner, is an impressionable 19-year-old who takes a job as a waiter at the same hotel after dropping out of university.

As the story unfolds, we observe the evolution of their relationship from professional contact to something much more. The strength is in the subtleties, as no grand declarations are needed for their gravitation towards each other to be felt. The series tenderly questions societal norms and ideological frameworks concerning age, class, and commitment.

Julie's palpable disillusionment with her own underachieving, lifeless marriage and Aaron's struggle to find meaning and purpose in his life serve as critical precursors that fuel their special bond. However, their relationship inevitably stirs ripples across their families, jobs, and in their personal lives.

The complex character development and magnetic performance of the cast are hallmarks of this show. Best's performance captures Julie's emotional turbulence exuding a delicate mix of vulnerability, passion, and inner struggle. Turner convincingly portrays Aaron's journey from frustration to infatuation to deep emotional dependence. Other noteworthy cast members include Helen McCrory, who plays Julie's younger sister, and Sean Gallagher as her estranged husband. The supporting cast brilliantly complements the leads, amplifying the emotional strain that surrounds the main characters.

The setting of the luxury hotel in Cheshire provides a contrasting backdrop to the unglamorous realities hidden beneath its polished facade, one of the many ways Marchant brings layers of depth and symbolism into the narrative. The slow-burning pace of the series allows the characters, their emotions, and the connection between them to take center stage.

Leaving is directed by Gaby Dellal, who meticulously lets each scene fill with simmering tension and emotional undercurrents. Every frame is crafted carefully to build a slow build-up toward the climax. This is a drama that engages audiences on an emotional level. Intensive dialogues interspersed with long, intense silences leave the viewer with space to process and anticipate further developments. It's not so much about the culmination but the journey the lead characters undertake.

The mini-series was positively received and appreciated for its depth and subtle treatment of a sensitive matter. Its success lies in its ability to show the characters in all their flawed human complexity without passing judgment or falling into the traps of stereotype and cliché.

Leaving is imbued with nuanced performances and suspenseful, character-driven storytelling. While it might seem to be a tale of forbidden love, the series explores themes that question societal norms and stagnation of the spirit. The interplay between the characters, each with their carefully built backstories, delivers an immersive and emotionally engaging experience. Clocking three episodes, Leaving is a thought-provoking watch that takes viewers on a profound exploration of the human heart, raising more questions than it answers but always maintaining an ornate, delicate balance between drama, realism, and the overwhelming power of the unexpected.

In short, Leaving (2012) is a bold BBC drama that helps to redefine the boundaries of age and the societal understanding of relationships through an immersive narrative, heartfelt performances, and an intensely relatable exploration of situations and emotions. Viewer discretion is advised due to some explicit content, indicative of the series' mature theme.