Benidorm: 10 Years on Holiday is more than just a retrospective; it is touching, lying on a beach and immersing oneself in the warmth of one of UK’s notable TV Sitcoms. The documentary shows fans how the ever so popular ‘Benidorm’ came to be, and traces the origins of the funny and heartfelt show that entertained millions. Essentially, the documentary is like a family reunion; instead of food, it is packed with tears, laughter and heart warming moments as the cast and crew come together.
The show’s creator, Derren Litten has explained on how at times he can become scarily focused on a particular detail and torment himself at night over getting it right, such as the scenes taking place at the fictional Solana Resort, all based on aspects of his love for characters and experiences. His accounts on getting the ensemble together where every actor seemed to have escaped from a cast and has been planted onto his unforgettable characters provide new insights onto the magic that clicked behind the success of the show.
The characters of the show come forward and try to list out some of the memorable moments associated with their characters. Jake Canuso, a contestant who played the part of Mateo the always tan and the ever flirty male also talks about creative circumstances and events during which this character has to face some comic struggles. Sheila Reid the ever iconic Madge talks about the contrast of her role as a chain-smoking grandma and the character she played,. her grandmother was a pleasant surprise as she was quick witted and was full of sass. The beating hearts of the Garvey Clan, Siobhan Finneran and Steve Pemberton add what it was like to be a part of a very dysfunctional yet hilarious family.
The documentary doesn’t only focus on the times gone by, rather it focuses on the aspect of time where it was being aired and the impact it had on the people which in itself is a phenomenon. It has the moments people liked most, be it Madge on a scooter, Mateo trying to flirt, or Jacqueline, who is known for her pool moments. For the fans, it is also a collection of various offsets, outtakes as well, showing many funny moments which contributed to making the show timeless.
A moving sequence is followed wherein the actors are seen talking about the impact the characters had on the viewers and how they connected to them on a deeper level, portraying a more cheerful version of them. Benidorm remained consistent since the very first episode till the end as it kept mixing together different elements of comedy with a more warming feel to it and watching such a compilation still gives the viewers warm fuzzy feelings.
Benidorm: 10 Years on Holiday is in many ways both a goodbye and a welcome, whether you are a diehard fan or someone who has just decided to find out what the fuss is all about – This is an escapade into the realm of sunshine, beaches, and entertaining fun. It is pure British humor at its best, and perhaps a good way of refreshing the memories of the famous Solana Resort.
