Skip to content
Men Up is a new BBC TV movie based on a true story, about a group of men in Wales who have trouble keeping the British end up.
We open with Meurig Jenkins (Iwan Rheon – The Light In The Hall) going to see a therapist because he’s impotent, and is given some very uncomfortable suggestions about how to overcome (ahem) the issues. As such, this rather disappoints his wife, Ffion (Alexandra Roach – Bodies), and they have other dilemmas to deal with as you’ll soon see.
Meanwhile, for Peet (Phaldut Sharma – Sherwood), at his wife’s sex toys sales party, he’s told he’s not required because “We have batteries!”
For them, Colin (Steffan Rhodri – Steeltown Murders) and Tommy (Paul Rhys – Napoleon, Saltburn), their interest is piqued when by Dr Dylan Pearce (Aneurin Barnard – The Catch) giving a talk about how diabetes affects men in their 40s, and they want to get in on his Viagra drugs trial. But like all such things, some men get a placebo on their first go, as opposed to the real thing, although the name of the drug wasn’t a thing until it was marketed.
The drama then follows the fortunes or flops of the men in question, and how they get on in the bedroom (in a non-graphic way).
Of course, if you only watch live TV, Men Up might faces some stiff competition from the finale of Nolly, but while it’s a watchable 90 minutes, it’s not a wholly engaging TV film – feeling a bit jarring at times, as it mixes some very light moments with some very dark ones – and does feel a bit limp.
You’re welcome to disagree with me, and if it happens that I’m incorrect, then I stand erected.
Seriously, though, the drama does have some positive messages for those men who are affected.
Men Up is on tonight on BBC1 at 9pm, but isn’t yet available to pre-order on Blu-ray or DVD. After broadcast, it will be on the BBC iPlayer.
Director: Ashley Way
Producer: Karen Lewis
Creator/Writer: Matthew Barry
Cast:
Meurig Jenkins: Iwan Rheon
Dr Dylan Pearce: Aneurin Barnard
Eddie O’Connor: Mark Lewis Jones
Moira Davies, Clinical Nurse: Joanna Page
Ffion Jenkins: Alexandra Roach
Peetham Powell: Phaldut Sharma
Colin White: Steffan Rhodri
Joanna Wootle: Katy Wix
Tommy Cadogan: Paul Rhys
Teresa Rigby: Lisa Palfrey
Alys Powell: Alexandria Riley
Ann Summers Party Guest: Trish Williams
Gruff Jenkins: Huw Huckstep
Llewellyn Jenkins: Raphael Bishop
Leigh Bennett: Dyfan Dwyfor
Barista: Libby Waite
Ceri Howell: Philippa Cole
Rhys Lancey: Nathan Sussex
Eshaan Mallick: Vikash Bhai
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.