Sometimes I wonder why Western culture is so determined to cast especially women as caricatures on this grand stage of life? It’s decisive and tears us all apart. And men carry all these masks as well. They struggle with the weight of wearing armored hearts and emotions submerged within behind bravado and impossible expectations of what it means to be a man. And then we try to love each other back to well being and life all while embracing even celebrating what Audre Lorde calls “the masters tools” like war, violence, control, and ownership. Why can’t we embrace our wild and our intuition as full and free humans? Why is that so threatening? Just some thoughts.
This reflection is so beautiful and insightful. I especially love these questions 👇
"Why can’t we embrace our wild and our intuition as full and free humans? Why is that so threatening?"
The world would be a lot more peaceful if we could see each other's humanity. Humans share 99.9% of our DNA, yet we put all our focus on the .1% that makes us look different. It makes no sense.
I’m an avid reader but didn’t know this was a book. Just binge watched this with my husband while away on a break. I loved it as a quirky whodunnit and for the first time in a long time, appreciated Nicole Kidman’s acting ability (ie I thought she was perfect for this role). But having said all that, I was confused by the ending. I was actually waiting for another plot twist. So appreciated this review.
The ending ruined it for me and then I took a closer look at the characters. Nothing really held up upon more rigorous investigation and then I felt cheated out of 6 hours of my life. I appreciate your comment!
I found this series deeply annoying. Rather than being intrigued by the many possible murderers, I found it disjointed. I agree that none of the characters portrayed had any real character outside their particular cliche.
I wouldn’t have watched it except for liking Liev Schreiber and Nicole Kidman as actors. My review is a huge “don’t bother “.
Yes, I agree. So many cliches. I've commented to others that it wasn't awful while I was watching it, but after finishing the series I thought, "Well, that's 6 hours I'm never getting back." It was very disappointing.
It's funny because in one of the reviews I read that there was controversy among the cast about using that cringy dance scene during the opening credits of every episode. The director really wanted it as a way to show viewers this was a "fun" show, and not to take it too seriously. The cast felt they played their characters straight, and it wasn't supposed to be campy. In any case, each episode was somewhat entertaining to watch, but the sum of its parts left a bad taste in my mouth.
I did the bing as well, was hooked in for al of the wrong reasons — IE the portrayal of absurd dysfunction and the inexcusable excuses of men — empty apologies and ideations of 'love.'
"Rape culture is alive and well! Schreiber’s behavior as a rich, married, older man taking advantage of younger women who come into his orbit through his adult children is excused as men being men, rather than viewed as predatory."
I was story it was a woman portrayed as the murderess bitch to gain her cheating husbands wealth.
I enjoyed Sargent Henry - I think that was her name. She cut through 'privilege' to a degree in a tough role. She was my favorite.
The transformation of the mother leaving the rapist was great and to write a story of the so called 'lesser' woman.
I still think it is worth a watch—however letting the rapist go free was a shame.
I agree with you Prajna. I didn't hate it while I was watching it, and I also liked no nonsense detective Henry. After I finished all six episodes I just felt really let down. All the other female characters were stereotypes and none of the men had a shred of integrity. Okay, maybe the police chief was alright, but we're meant to think his overprotectiveness of his daughter is loving when it feels like bullying. Just my take.
I'm glad I came across this. I have this habit of having to finish whatever I start even if I don't like it, in the hopes that it gets better. This review saved me time and I appreciate that. Thank you for sharing!!
I'm glad I could be of service 🥰. It's not that the series is completely awful, but after devoting 6 hours I did feel cheated by the ending. I'm sure you will find a much better use of your time.
The sacrifices some of us make for others. I feel like I gained those 6 hours even though I don't have special plans for them anyway. At least I could enjoy a nice book now.
I had no idea it was a book! I actually really enjoyed it, I mean yeah they were all one dimensional for the most part and it was full of every trope and cliche under the sun, but I had fun watching it. I figured out who the killer was pretty quickly but the motive still seemed pretty far fetched.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I binged Nobody Wants This in a whole sitting and loved it so much better than this series 😍😍
I just watched "Fool Me Once" but it looks like they don't have it on Netflix any more. I always love recommendations, so I will check out "Nobody Wants This". I actually enjoyed watching The Perfect Couple, but its cumulative message left me feeling a little resentful that I spent six hours watching the whole thing. Does that make sense? Maybe not, I'm not always rational. 🤣
I liked it…get it mixed up with Hotel Portofino with all the sleeping around and badass women! 😁your review is spot on… thought the ending was sweet…like you say, being her real self was to just be nice. 🙃☺️
I liked it when I watched each episode, but I didn’t like the ending. Then I realized that I didn’t want Nicole Kidman’s character to be nice — her whole family was screwing her over and she was doing all the work. The misogyny of the cheating men was presented as “normal” and we are even supposed to like Liev Schreiber character. There’s a power imbalance between him and the maid of honor that makes his pursuit of her not only adulterous but predatory. That’s just my opinion, but like you, I was entertained watching each episode. It wasn’t until I put the whole story together that I realized I didn’t like the message it was sending at all.
Didn't like the series either, even though I stuck through it. I thought it went off the rails at parts, and didn't add anything to the plot line. I was happy Liev showed us some facial expressions and depth which were lacking in his Ray Donovan series. And Nicole Kidman, she has been getting on my nerves, too. She can't move her face! I'm all what you need to do to yourself to feel more like you, but she doesn't convey many emotions through her face. It's hard to connect with her. Whenever she plays a rich uppity white woman, I think she's playing herself, which is unfortunate to say. I know there is more to her than that, but I give the series a thumbs down for sure.
She very well could be an uppity white woman. I didn't notice her frozen face that much, and I do understand she's under a lot of pressure in her industry to look young. For me it was sort of a cumulative negative feeling I got after watching all six episodes. The ending made no sense to me and left me feeling like that's time I'm never going to get back.
This is helpful, I keep meaning to text my friend to ask if I should watch it, and now I don't need to. I read this book but didn't realize that's what the show was about.
Can you review the new netflix show with Adam Brody and Kristen Bell next?
I just watched Will & Harper and I thought it was very good.
Haha, requests for reviews, I love it. I'm not sure I'm a very good reviewer. I just did this one because I was mad that they had to make the Nicole Kidman character nice and apologetic at the end. What's wrong with being annoyed in annoying situations?
I think you just found a new job as a Netflix review goddess for Substack. Maybe we start a joint publication dedicated to reviews? I'm mostly kidding, but then I had a vision of a podcast, like the old Siskel and Ebert show. Hmmm. Interesting...
The review was almost unintelligible because of the very low production values of the podcast. The reviewer needs to up her game both in clear and interesting delivery and crisp and unique observation. In other words creating a voice of her own that attracts notice.
I’m not sure what was up with the audio. I was using a professional microphone, but it was a little choppy. I wouldn’t say unintelligible, but I won’t argue semantics with you. I am open to constructive criticism when accompanied with actionable steps for improvement, but negativity for the sake voicing your own displeasure feels punitive and lazy.
Yes, and you voiced your displeasure with with my review without any specific criticisms (other than crappy audio) or actionable steps to do better in the future. It's negativity for negativity's sake and doesn't help anyone. My job as a reviewer is to give my opinion about the show based on plot, characters, theme, writing and acting. My job is to point out the flaws or highlights, not to suggest how the show could have been better. As it is, I'm already providing you with my free labor.
Sometimes I wonder why Western culture is so determined to cast especially women as caricatures on this grand stage of life? It’s decisive and tears us all apart. And men carry all these masks as well. They struggle with the weight of wearing armored hearts and emotions submerged within behind bravado and impossible expectations of what it means to be a man. And then we try to love each other back to well being and life all while embracing even celebrating what Audre Lorde calls “the masters tools” like war, violence, control, and ownership. Why can’t we embrace our wild and our intuition as full and free humans? Why is that so threatening? Just some thoughts.
This reflection is so beautiful and insightful. I especially love these questions 👇
"Why can’t we embrace our wild and our intuition as full and free humans? Why is that so threatening?"
The world would be a lot more peaceful if we could see each other's humanity. Humans share 99.9% of our DNA, yet we put all our focus on the .1% that makes us look different. It makes no sense.
Thank you, Amy! And I recommend https://substack.com/@janeratcliffe/note/p-149642888?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=2jvyze
https://substack.com/@vanessachakour
love this.
I’m an avid reader but didn’t know this was a book. Just binge watched this with my husband while away on a break. I loved it as a quirky whodunnit and for the first time in a long time, appreciated Nicole Kidman’s acting ability (ie I thought she was perfect for this role). But having said all that, I was confused by the ending. I was actually waiting for another plot twist. So appreciated this review.
The ending ruined it for me and then I took a closer look at the characters. Nothing really held up upon more rigorous investigation and then I felt cheated out of 6 hours of my life. I appreciate your comment!
I found this series deeply annoying. Rather than being intrigued by the many possible murderers, I found it disjointed. I agree that none of the characters portrayed had any real character outside their particular cliche.
I wouldn’t have watched it except for liking Liev Schreiber and Nicole Kidman as actors. My review is a huge “don’t bother “.
Yes, I agree. So many cliches. I've commented to others that it wasn't awful while I was watching it, but after finishing the series I thought, "Well, that's 6 hours I'm never getting back." It was very disappointing.
Saving this for after I watch- I LIVE FOR TV SHOW REVIEWS/break downs, CANT WAIT to read yours, Amy! 💗💗💗
I can't wait to chat with you about it! Love you K! XO 🥰❤️
Love you back!!
It was OK. Something to watch. The dancing on the beach was cringy, maybe because it's so far from the world I live in - most if us live in.
It's funny because in one of the reviews I read that there was controversy among the cast about using that cringy dance scene during the opening credits of every episode. The director really wanted it as a way to show viewers this was a "fun" show, and not to take it too seriously. The cast felt they played their characters straight, and it wasn't supposed to be campy. In any case, each episode was somewhat entertaining to watch, but the sum of its parts left a bad taste in my mouth.
My husband reluctantly watched it and said when are they going to die? It was somewhat entertaining yet horrible at the same time
Exactly!
Can highly recommend "Dopesick" on Hulu. Much better viewing.
Cool! I will add that to my “recommended list”!
I did the bing as well, was hooked in for al of the wrong reasons — IE the portrayal of absurd dysfunction and the inexcusable excuses of men — empty apologies and ideations of 'love.'
"Rape culture is alive and well! Schreiber’s behavior as a rich, married, older man taking advantage of younger women who come into his orbit through his adult children is excused as men being men, rather than viewed as predatory."
I was story it was a woman portrayed as the murderess bitch to gain her cheating husbands wealth.
I enjoyed Sargent Henry - I think that was her name. She cut through 'privilege' to a degree in a tough role. She was my favorite.
The transformation of the mother leaving the rapist was great and to write a story of the so called 'lesser' woman.
I still think it is worth a watch—however letting the rapist go free was a shame.
I agree with you Prajna. I didn't hate it while I was watching it, and I also liked no nonsense detective Henry. After I finished all six episodes I just felt really let down. All the other female characters were stereotypes and none of the men had a shred of integrity. Okay, maybe the police chief was alright, but we're meant to think his overprotectiveness of his daughter is loving when it feels like bullying. Just my take.
Yes, he was okay and yes a bit of a 'bully' no real conversation. I agree. On the same page sister.
I'm glad I came across this. I have this habit of having to finish whatever I start even if I don't like it, in the hopes that it gets better. This review saved me time and I appreciate that. Thank you for sharing!!
I'm glad I could be of service 🥰. It's not that the series is completely awful, but after devoting 6 hours I did feel cheated by the ending. I'm sure you will find a much better use of your time.
The sacrifices some of us make for others. I feel like I gained those 6 hours even though I don't have special plans for them anyway. At least I could enjoy a nice book now.
I had no idea it was a book! I actually really enjoyed it, I mean yeah they were all one dimensional for the most part and it was full of every trope and cliche under the sun, but I had fun watching it. I figured out who the killer was pretty quickly but the motive still seemed pretty far fetched.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I binged Nobody Wants This in a whole sitting and loved it so much better than this series 😍😍
I just watched "Fool Me Once" but it looks like they don't have it on Netflix any more. I always love recommendations, so I will check out "Nobody Wants This". I actually enjoyed watching The Perfect Couple, but its cumulative message left me feeling a little resentful that I spent six hours watching the whole thing. Does that make sense? Maybe not, I'm not always rational. 🤣
I liked it…get it mixed up with Hotel Portofino with all the sleeping around and badass women! 😁your review is spot on… thought the ending was sweet…like you say, being her real self was to just be nice. 🙃☺️
I liked it when I watched each episode, but I didn’t like the ending. Then I realized that I didn’t want Nicole Kidman’s character to be nice — her whole family was screwing her over and she was doing all the work. The misogyny of the cheating men was presented as “normal” and we are even supposed to like Liev Schreiber character. There’s a power imbalance between him and the maid of honor that makes his pursuit of her not only adulterous but predatory. That’s just my opinion, but like you, I was entertained watching each episode. It wasn’t until I put the whole story together that I realized I didn’t like the message it was sending at all.
Predatory…yes! I picked up on that right away. Rich man’s playground! 😠
Didn't like the series either, even though I stuck through it. I thought it went off the rails at parts, and didn't add anything to the plot line. I was happy Liev showed us some facial expressions and depth which were lacking in his Ray Donovan series. And Nicole Kidman, she has been getting on my nerves, too. She can't move her face! I'm all what you need to do to yourself to feel more like you, but she doesn't convey many emotions through her face. It's hard to connect with her. Whenever she plays a rich uppity white woman, I think she's playing herself, which is unfortunate to say. I know there is more to her than that, but I give the series a thumbs down for sure.
She very well could be an uppity white woman. I didn't notice her frozen face that much, and I do understand she's under a lot of pressure in her industry to look young. For me it was sort of a cumulative negative feeling I got after watching all six episodes. The ending made no sense to me and left me feeling like that's time I'm never going to get back.
This is helpful, I keep meaning to text my friend to ask if I should watch it, and now I don't need to. I read this book but didn't realize that's what the show was about.
Can you review the new netflix show with Adam Brody and Kristen Bell next?
I just watched Will & Harper and I thought it was very good.
Haha, requests for reviews, I love it. I'm not sure I'm a very good reviewer. I just did this one because I was mad that they had to make the Nicole Kidman character nice and apologetic at the end. What's wrong with being annoyed in annoying situations?
I thank you for the tip about Will & Harper!
I started “Nobody Wants This” last night and watched 3 episodes in a row. I texted my friends:
“That night I couldn’t help but wonder…was EYE in love with Adam Brody?”
I think you just found a new job as a Netflix review goddess for Substack. Maybe we start a joint publication dedicated to reviews? I'm mostly kidding, but then I had a vision of a podcast, like the old Siskel and Ebert show. Hmmm. Interesting...
that would be fun! I’d be down to do it
I’ll pass on this, thanks for the frank review, Amy. 💕
It wasn’t horrible while I was watching it, but I sort of felt used after I put in 6 hours.
Yeah, I have better ways to kill 6 hours of my life.😁
I think I watched a little bit of an episode of this. Now, I need to find the time to watch it. 🙌😁
It wasn’t awful to watch, but I can’t say the ending was satisfying.
The review was almost unintelligible because of the very low production values of the podcast. The reviewer needs to up her game both in clear and interesting delivery and crisp and unique observation. In other words creating a voice of her own that attracts notice.
I’m not sure what was up with the audio. I was using a professional microphone, but it was a little choppy. I wouldn’t say unintelligible, but I won’t argue semantics with you. I am open to constructive criticism when accompanied with actionable steps for improvement, but negativity for the sake voicing your own displeasure feels punitive and lazy.
Interesting because you voiced your displeasure with the show, Hmmm
Yes, and you voiced your displeasure with with my review without any specific criticisms (other than crappy audio) or actionable steps to do better in the future. It's negativity for negativity's sake and doesn't help anyone. My job as a reviewer is to give my opinion about the show based on plot, characters, theme, writing and acting. My job is to point out the flaws or highlights, not to suggest how the show could have been better. As it is, I'm already providing you with my free labor.