Mine All Mine (ITV1 2004, Griff Rhys Jones, Rhian Morgan)

In comedy drama Mine All Mine Max Vivaldi (Griff Rhys Jones) has always claimed that an ancient will gave him ownership rights of Swansea. But he is treated as an eccentric until a London lawyer manages to verify his claim and Max becomes ruler of Swansea and takes over control of the council.

His kids, down-to-earth Maria (Siwan Morris), head-in-the-clouds Candy (an over the top Joanna Page), and resourceful Leo (☺️Matthew Barry) have all developed their own ways of dealing with Max’s crazy schemes. But it’s Val (Rhian Morgan), his long-suffering wife, who has paid the highest price. She’s been meaning to leave him for years. But, just as she walks out the door, Max discovers he’s been right all along. The will on the wall is authentic.

When screened originally the series aired as a 5 parter with the final episode running to 75 minutes, creator Russell T. Davies had written a six parter and indeed it was filmed as such. A subsequent DVD release presented the series as intended and allowed for a greater clarity.

Potentially all the signs are there for a classic, Russell T. Davies script, strong casting with Griff Rhys Jones in the lead, unfortunately it will go down as something of a misstep. Some of it is down to the over-playing of much of the cast and some of it is down to the incessant too loud music on the soundtrack. Siwan Morris as Maria probably comes out with the most plaudits.

production details
UK / ITV1 – Red / 4×50 minute episodes 1×75 minute episode / Broadcast 25 November – 23 December 2004

Writer: Russell T. Davies / Music: Murray Gold / Script Editor: Saskia Abbott / Executive Producers: Nicola Shindler, Russell T. Davies/ Associate Producer: Des Hughes / Producer: Ann Harrison-Baxter.

cast
Griff Rhys Jones as Max Vivaldi
Jo Stone-Fewings as Danny Baveystock
Joanna Page as Candy Zeta
Siwan Morris as Maria
Matthew Barry as Leo
Rhian Morgan as Val Vivaldi
Debbie Chazen as Big Claire
Simon Gregor as Sam Beynon
Robin Griffith as Mr Collier
Jennifer Hill as Bronwen Thomas
Jason Hughes as Gethin
Glyn Morgan as Thomas Roberts
Ruth Madoc as Myrtle Jones