Pluskylang Great Film overall

ShangLuda Admirable film.

Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Deanna There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

peterrichboy The late great John Sullivan was one of the finest comedy writers this country has ever produced, and whilst his other shows Fools and horse's and Just Good Friends get repeat airings this gem from the mid 80s hardly gets a look in. Which is a real shame as it's every bit as funny as those shows. Maybe the idea of a divorced and singles club isn't relevant today in a world of internet dating and Tinder. The characters are terrific each with there own individual relationship issue with Ralph Bates(John) the only sane one amongst them. Full of very funny set pieces and some great one liners from Sullivan Dear John is a minor classic which deserves more exposure.

James Proud Brit I may be, but I'm ready to admit that, if you believe the main purpose of comedy sitcoms is to raise a laugh (with not too many strings attached), then the Americans do it better. Though certainly not devoid of British input, "Frasier" has had me laughing hysterically more times than I can remember, and it (still) works because it limits the smut, raises the intelligence, involves acting as much as joking and does not rest on the laurels of "whimsy" when real funniness is in reach. Very occasionally the Brits also manage such a winning combination in a sitcom and - a few years before "Frasier" - we managed to come out with "Dear John" - one of that select list of products good enough to give rise to a version across the Atlantic. The British success is that of John Sullivan, whose "Only Fools and Horses" delighted the entire United Kingdom, but left this reviewer entirely cold. However, he was also involved with "Citizen Smith", an entirely different matter, also worthy of recommendation. "Dear John" is a success because, first, it is actually funny (the same really cannot always be said of British sitcoms). It raises a laugh and not just the occasional smile or chuckle. But it is also kind and warm and nice and sympathetic, while still furnishing various kinds of "edge", most especially an edge of failure and pathos and the need - sometimes overwhelming and desperate - to look for support in life. There are no unpleasant characters, though fantasist "Kirk St. Moritz" (played by Peter Blake) comes closest with his occasionally more-hurtful barbs against fellow Singles Club participant Kate (adorably rendered by Belinda Lang). Both attend the club as failures in life (whether they realise it or not), as does (in very aware fashion) the titular star - "John" - played by the tragically-shortlived Ralph Bates, who resembles all of his fellow players in the programme in being a high-calibre actor. Those taking an interest now will not appreciate, unless informed, that most Brits had known Bates previously in an entirely non-comical context as the evil rotter George Warleggan in the 1975 version of "Poldark", hence the particular surprise and delight at seeing the same face appearing in a light comedy. As a contrast it really, really worked! The far-from-lively or cool 1-2-1 Club has (a few) other participants and needless to say they are failures and misfits too, with quirks and foibles that are funny, but also mostly endearing and touching. The group leader, and hence the person who in theory at least has her act together more than the others, is Louise, as played with seductive magnificence by Rachel Bell. A fine feature of this comedy is its democratic shareout of the laughs and importances of the roles. All participants get their chance here, and we the audience are the richer for it.Sadly, there are just 14 half-hour episodes, so in this case nobody can accuse the makers of wringing the story dry. But it is touching, high-quality stuff that has several serious-enough messages to put across, but does indeed raise the necessary quota of laughs.

welshNick This was an absolutely super comedy that the BBC made 2 series of in the 1980's. It centres around a schoolteacher, John Lacey, played brilliantly by Ralph Bates, who comes home from work one day to find out his wife has left him. To add to his woes, in the divorce settlement his wife gets the house and car which he still has to pay for and then installs a new bloke. John settles down in a pokey little flat and sees an ad in a paper for the 1-2-1 club, a meeting group for singles and divorcees. He attends where he meets an assortment of characters, wimpy Ralph, Kirk St Moritz who reckons he is a spy, and the very pretty Kate who confesses to being frigid. All of these meetings are chaired by nymphomaniac Louise whose opening question to any new member was always: 'Were there any sexual problems ?' and when Kevin Lloyd replied yes she nearly jumped with excitement. While sad in some ways this wonderful piece of writing shows that top comedy can be written and acted on a very low budget. This was vastly superior to the US version that came out afterwards and watch the VHS that is around if you can. 9/10

PADMark1984 One of my favourite comedies of all time. It's nearly as good as 'Only Fools And Horses'(1981)...but not quite :-) OFAH was also written by Londoner John Sullivan. 'Dear John' is a very laid back comedy centering around divorcee John Lacey (Ralph Bates), a school teacher who joins the 1-2-1 club for divorced and separated people. There's some great characters such as macho man Kirk St.Moritz, Kate, Mrs. Arnott and the unforgettable Ralph Dring (played excellently by Peter Denyer). The club is run by the posh and snooty Louise Williams..."Were there any sexual problems?" The sitcom revolved around different people's experiences and problems being talked about at the club and the funny things that happen in life. It's a lovely sitcom and if you can get the video it's money well spent for good, clean British humour. **** out of *****