Reviews

Things I Know to Be True by Andrew Bovell

kylethewild's review

emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was perfect, literally the exact kind of stuff I love. About a regular family dealing with regular life stuff. The parents had certain hopes and dreams for the kids lives, the kids had other plans. Everyone means well, but emotions run high and things sometimes come out in not the best way, and everyone’s hurting. 

I’d love to see this performed as a play or turned into a movie. If just reading the script was this good, I’m sure acted out it would be even better. 

jam_sandwich's review

challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

livesinmyth's review

dark emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

tessandthebooks's review

4.0

This play is one of the ultimate new contemporary plays about family and what it is like for families to grow old and grow apart to have their own lives. We follow Bob and Fran and their four children Pip, Mark, Ben and Rosie. The four children, or better said the four adults are all trying to find themselves in the world and they almost blame their parents for the way that they are and how they are able to escape and be their own person. At the same time the parents want to go back to a similar time but was there ever one. Everyone is searching for a way to do something for themselves but how to do that without hurting the family. The play takes place over the space of a year and we see the family become more and more spread apart until we get to the end when one last heart hitting moment brings them all back together.

siggyzardust's review

4.0

This is the best play I’ve ever seen, and reading the script again this morning is the most incredibly raw familial feeling one can possibly experience.

olddeuteronomy's review

5.0

I know that things can't remain the same no matter how much you want them to. I know that people aren't perfect. Even the people you love. Especially the people you love. And I know that love is not enough to save them.

h0pesandhu's review

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

pipdee's review

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

mj_trearty's review against another edition

emotional funny sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.25

Bob and Fran Price think the have worked hard, been good parents and raised their 4 children to have a better life than they had, but everything falls apart for them as, one-by-one, they all make choices that upset their parents and make them question whether they did a good job or not.

This is a very emotionally charged play with a lot of tense scenes that crackle with energy. The writing is dynamic and fast paced. Overall I really enjoyed this play

dreaminginpastels's review

5.0

A heart-wrenching tale of the concept of family, its complications, and how sometimes familial love isn’t enough to save those you love. But nevertheless, to quote the play, “Life. It goes on.”