There are some nudity, and abuse scenes, but even these seem so realistic, understated, that they take on a sense of innocence. The acting is generally spot on, with perhaps a slightly wooden performance by Kid Kudi. It manages, through a cracking sound track and 'arty' but assured direction (there is some amazing imagery, for example how the Italian boy Fraser meets in bologna simply vanishes when Fraser turns his back to remember Cate). It is hard to see how anyone wouldn't be drawn to intense introspection, and longing for the past, when watching this show. I accept that maybe I'm the target demographic, and some of the themes speak to me through personal experience, but I imagine this is what everyone who watches it, regardless of background, feels. I can't praise this series highly enough. It is profoundly realistic yet achingly wistful. The empathy it builds for every character is masterful, yet there are no villains.
One of the finest pieces of television perhaps ever made.
