In 19th-century Canada, a psychiatrist weighs whether a murderess should be pardoned due to insanity.
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S1.E2
Grace, forced out onto the streets of Toronto by her father to search for work, secures a position as a maid in the Parkinson household. She forms a friendship with another servant, the free-spirited...
S1.E5
Dr. Jordan brings Grace's account to the day of the murder. Although there are gaps in her memory, she describes how McDermott kills Nancy Henderson and dismembers her body, then shoots Kinnear, ...
S1.E4
Tensions rise at Richmond Hill, sparked by the surly and rebellious handyman McDermott. Grace realises that the housekeeper, Nancy Henderson, is the mistress of the charming but imperious Kinnear, ...
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Title: Alias Grace (2017)
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In 19th-century Canada, a psychiatrist weighs whether a murderess should be pardoned due to insanity.
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triple f rated | irish | based on novel | tv mini series | title directed by female |Parents Guide:
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Country:
CanadaLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
3 November 2017 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Alias Grace See more »Company Credits
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The original novel is based on factual events, but it's historical fiction. Several characters, including Dr. Simon Jordan, were created by author Margaret Atwood. See more »Goofs
When Grace is beside Mary's bed, just before the cemetery scene, the 'corpse' can be seen gently breathing (torso moving). See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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"Alias Grace" is a show that, normally, would not necessarily come across my radar as something to watch. I started it after a recommendation from a family member, who very interestingly told me "it looks like a period piece, but it's done very well". That was telling to me. Often, when one thinks of "period piece", they think of stuffy dramas that look old and outdated even when they are new. A few really rise to the surface ("John Adams" a while back comes to mind), but many just reside in that "muddy middle". Fortunately, "Alias Grace" is a period piece done absolutely perfectly, as it creates and advances great characters, is at the same time a commentary on more contemporary times, and features writing/acting that is top notch.
For a basic plot outline, "Alias Grace" follows the story of Grace Marks (Sarah Gadon), who is held in prison for the charged murder of Nancy Montgomery (Anna Paquin). A psychologist, Dr. Jordan (Edward Holcroft), takes an interest in her case, and decides to interview her to determine if her conviction is legitimate or based on faulty confessions/evidence. Through these interviews, Grace reflects back on much of her past, filling in the backstory until getting to the day of the murder itself.
The main reason "Alias Grace" works so well is because it is just an incredibly written show. What's funny is that the main conceit (Grace being interviewed by Dr. Jordan) might lead one to think that this was a "nuthouse" or prison-centric type of show. While perhaps nominally the guiding path for the show, the real "meat" comes in the story of Grace's life and the events that happen to her over the course of a lifetime, really. Using Margaret Atwood's text, the filmmakers here really paint a visceral picture of what life likely consisted of for women (and men) of that time period. As I said previously, period pieces often have the tendency to "soften around the edges" a bit, but "Alias Grace" pulls no punches. It can be happy and cheerful, but also disturbing and dour.
Another highlight is Gadon's performance as Grace, which is probably award-worthy. While the auxiliary characters are great too, this is Gadon's show to carry, and carry it she does! One can't help but get swept away in her saga, as she displays such a wide range of emotions and actions from beginning to end.
I won't spoil any details here, but let me just say this: For the first five episodes, "Alias Grace" is an 8-star, "very good" type of show. The final (sixth) episode vaults it into 10/10 "excellent" status. That finale is one of the best single episodes of television I've seen since "The Leftovers" left the airwaves. It literally had me on the edge of my seat, with my jaw ajar when the final credits rolled.
Final verdict: Another step in the right direction (and a big one!) for Netflix Original programming, on the heels of "Mindhunter" and "Stranger Things S2". Netflix has show in the past year that it can "play with the big boys" when it comes to original programming, and that's a net win for appreciators of quality scripted television as well.