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This 305-minute miniseries is a fairly straightforward adaptation of Dymphna Cusack and Florence James' classic wartime novel about three women working in a beauty salon in Sydney's premier hotel during 1944. That is not to say it isn't great viewing - it's just that it doesn't add anything to the outstanding novel. The characters and story are superb - a tribute to the authors: Gibney is wonderful, and Armstrong gives us more than a glimpse of the ability that would earn her two AFI Awards in 2001 (for LANTANA and SEACHANGE). Note that the series was adapted from the abridged version of the book - the unabridged edition was released recently and runs to well over 700 pages. This is a true Australian classic miniseries, and everyone would be doing him/herself a favour by watching it. Rating: 79/100.
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