Chancer (1990–1991) User Reviews (6)

Clive Owen

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 1 April 2014]

For me, and some others, all you need to see in a cast is the name Clive Owen and you're sold. That being the case, I rented "Chancer" from Netflix.

It's my understanding that this series was a hit but that Owen left it when he hit the big time.

Owen plays a young man who loses his job due to insider trading and turns to using his skills to help out an ailing company. He becomes involved with the family, their business associates, and ultimately it affects his personal life and decisions he makes.

One problem I had with this is -- everyone raves about the music. The music is great except if you watch it the way I did, which is a bunch of episodes at a time. You get so sick of that piano theme you're ready to vomit. It's played every two seconds.

Owen is fabulous, very young here (26), and he's everything - romantic, cagey, duplicitous, heroic, a heel, a con man, capable of love and tears. And did I mention he's gorgeous.

He's surrounded by an unbelievable cast, which includes Leslie Phillips, Peter Vaughan, Susannah Harker, Louise Lombard, Simon Shepherd, Michael Kitchen, and Caroline Langrishe.

Very moody series, dark, with an '80s feels to it. Someone who saw it 20 years ago stated it's probably very dated now. Not really. There are still greedy bankers, failing businesses, and wheeler-dealers. And thankfully, there's still Clive Owen.

Money Talks

[screenman · 8/10 · 30 November 2010]

Handsome young Clive Owen leads a strong cast that includes the indomitable Leslie Philips.

Although set in 1990, it depicts the 1980's city excess that followed Margaret Thatcher's de-regulation strategy and which has finally culminated in the international banking crisis that we recently endured.

Owen is caught-out working an insider-trading scam and ultimately loses his job. In the USA he'd have been imprisoned. Afterwards he applies his business skills to assist an ailing company.

There's a lot more going on than this, especially his personal and family issues. The program is well-scripted, tightly directed and filmed with good city locations in London.

It's 20 years old now and bound to appear slightly passe when compared to the the even greater economic irresponsibility of the last decade. However, as a nice slice of historical action with plenty of glamour and style, it still rewards a look by those with fond memories or the uninitiated who like well-made drama.

Nice theme music too. Recommended.

We liked this!

[Dadge · 24 January 2004]

My goodness me, look at the cast list! No wonder this series was such a hit. One of the peaks of UK TV drama, people still remember it fondly when you say the name. Of course the suave Mr Owen stole the show, but that was only fair. It'd be interesting to see it again to see how much it's dated, but even if it has I'd recommend it unhesitatingly to any viewer or scheduler looking to spice up their afternoons.

Clive Owen - 'nuff said

[cinnamonbrandy · 9/10 · 23 November 2007]

Like Harrison Ford, don't we love to watch him win, and don't we love to watch him suffer.

We quite like watching him have a nap, wash a car, or have his lip bitten by prettier girls than us...

As if we weren't being spoiled enough already, there's an ensemble cast that makes you go 'wow, he/she was in this?' about every five minutes before you finally settle down to enjoy it.

There's social commentary to die for - I've yet to see a more succinct analysis of the (tawdry) joys of asset-stripping, or the heady (and extremely dangerous) thrills of teeming and lading.

Now admit it, all my accountant friends out there - you've never seen teeming and lading outside of a textbook or a bad client's ledger books, have you? A series brave enough to educate its audience, and gorgeous enough to keep its audience after admitting it was gonna be educational...

Classic 90s chic

[barriegreen · 20 July 2005]

Chancer...I really wanted to be Stephen Crane (less keen on the whole Derek Love thing). Clive Owen was born to play this part, and all of the characters were so well defined the series had a lifelike/documentary feel that was addictive. the only weak character is Jamie (Pertwee) who I have never rated as an actor (famous parents can be an asset to the untalented). Veryy 80,s now, the filming is dated, but the imagery, storyline and haunting (jan Hammer) soundtrack are timeless. This DVD should be in every collection...and just now and then...it should be watched in its entirety, what a great day that would be. very British, very quality (and sexy) television! Spend 20 or 30 pounds and enjoy, no regrets anticipated.

Clive Owen

[ili_varna · 14 March 2005]

That was one of the most wonderful film I 've ever seen . It make the spectator remember it long time long. When I talk to my friends about Clive Owen everybody remember him in first movie/for that I am not quite sure/ we saw it here, in Bulgaria. He, and his rule of "The five P" are still in our conscious:). Clive Owen succeeded in amazing way to show the main characteristic of his hero- charming and strong, extremely clever, pushing and gentle, person who never, in no circumstances could lose...We see how under the in first glimpse cynical mask of his heroes man can see sensibility,vulnerability and humanity.He possess worriless charm and mystery.He is enigmatic, strict and masculine Clave Owen is equally convincing as gangster, misanthrope, trickster...and especially for the king. Its not accidentally that all of his heroes are such strong, charming and magnetic persons-is not it?:)