British dramedy Brief Encounters

Acorn TV’s British dramedy Brief Encounters makes its DVD debut on November 29, 2016 from Acorn, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand. With a touch of glamour, gutsy humor, and an overwhelming desire to improve their lot in life, four women strive for happiness and fulfillment in this heart-warming six-part ITV series starring Sophie Rundle (The Bletchley Circle, Peaky Blinders), Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey, Pride & Prejudice), Angela Griffin (Inspector Lewis) and Sharon Rooney (My Mad Fat Diary). This 2-disc set features 6 episodes, plus behind-the-scenes featurettes (15 min.) ($39.99, AcornOnline.com) Brief Encounters made its U.S. premiere in October 2016 on Acorn TV, the premier streaming service for world-class television from Britain and beyond.

In early 1980s England, Steph (Sophie Rundle), Pauline (Penelope Wilton), Nita (Angela Griffin) and Dawn (Sharon Rooney) wrestle with the pressures of family, husbands and making ends meet. However, a chance meeting between Steph and Nita is destined to kick-start a transformation for them all as they grasp the opportunity to become Ann Summers (lingerie and sex toy) party organizers. This joyful, uplifting, character-driven drama will see these four unlikely friends blossom, gaining confidence and independence as their ambition is ignited. As wives and businesswomen they discover hidden strengths, shaking up not just their town but their relationships too.

BONUS: Behind-the-scenes featurette (15 min.)

Street Date: November 29, 2016                                               SRP: $39.99
DVD 2-Disc Set: 6 episodes plus bonus – Approx. 288 min. – SDH Subtitles – UPC 054961254392


My Thoughts 

Crime shows are my favorite, but occasionally I need to take a break and find something that makes me laugh. Brief Encounters was just what I was looking for. This series centers around four women in the 80s and their daily struggles with family and husbands. They all come together when they start selling adult products. This set includes six fun episodes:

1- When Stephanie's husband loses his job, she and her friend Nita land a job hosting parties for adult toys. Some of the town's top socialites show up for their first event.

2- Stephanie makes enough money to pay the rent, but an affair rocks the group. 

3- Pauline is running the butcher business while her husband recovers. Several struggles for the ladies creep up in this episode. 

4-Dawn is planning a wedding. Steph and Terry are at odds, and Nita has some family trouble.

5- Steph's marriage is on rocky ground and she considers giving up her lingerie gig.

6- Steph plans a big event with models and everything, but things get hairy in this hilarious climax.
This series is filled with laughs, but there are lots of touching moments too. I was just a kid in the 80s, but I can totally see my mom and her friends taking on something like this, and that makes me laugh even more. If you'd like to grab a copy of this hilarious sitcom, you can find it online at Acorn Media and on amazon.