The Perfect Couple

I just finished binging The Perfect Couple and have to say that I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I've heard mixed reviews about, some people love it and some not so much. I like a good whodunit series and this was only 6 episodes long so I thought what the heck. It also has an amazing cast led by Liev Schreiber, Nicole Kidman, Eve Hewson, Jack Reynor, Dakota Fanning, Billy Howie, Meghann Fahy, etc. That cast alone makes this series worth trying. It has The White Lotus feel to it, especially with how beautiful it's shot. This isn't a masterpiece by any means but if you just want to turn your brain off and enjoy a good whodunit series then give this a try...you won't be disappointed.

In terms of writing, this series borders on satirical. The script is so unnatural and forced, it's almost comedic, and as a result, I found it hard to take any of the actors seriously. How Kidman and Schreiber got wrangled into this fiasco of a production is a more suspenseful mystery than that on which this entire series is based.

That said, it does keep you engaged. I don't regret watching the series, it's a pretty formulaic production, very predictable, and if you're looking for a lazy weekend show to binge, it will scratch that itch. You're not watching Citizen Kane, but what the hey. Sometimes we all just need to turn our brains off for a bit and be entertained.

I would have enjoyed this so much more if it had been labelled a comedy/dark comedy. I've read lots of books with similar plots and have enjoyed them but the tone in this show felt a little off from the start. Good actors were bad, performances were too big, etc. I thought it was just incredibly cheesy for the most part but by the end it's a clearly a full on satire. Keep this in mind and you might actually enjoy it, even if the overall direction doesn't quite get the tone right all the way through.

Not good enough that I'd seek out the book it's based on but a decent watch if you're in the mood for a cheesy show that doesn't take itself too seriously (and you can handle some bad accent work).

I was so excited to watch it, the cast looked great, and I love the genre.

The views of Nantucket Island are gorgeous. Easy to watch, murder plot is good. But something was missing. Most of the characters were annoying. Particularly I disliked the French lady. I get it that they wanted a corky lady to bring some humor with a European touch, but it didn't work out at all. None of the sons were appealing. Even Live Schreiber was a disappointment. I am so upset with Nichole Kidman for ruining her face. It is very hard to concentrate on her acting without constantly thinking of her morphed face, and I really hate to say it. But her tall and slim body left me in awe! Meghann Fahy (Merritt), on the other hand, is absolutely gorgeous with all her natural wrinkles and freckles. I didn't fall in love with any of characters. I did enjoy the woman detective though. All characters felt flat, even the main "poor" girl. Some scenes were well executed, but some were just awful and awkward (the whole scene with book singing....wth was that? Just so bad!). Such a great potential for the series and somehow, they missed the mark. I would totally recast most of them and bring more darkness and less awkwardness. The ending at the zoo didn't work out for me at all. I would rather it ended with Amelia seeing the new book written by Greer at the airport, she glanced at the dedication page and put it back on shelf, then we see her walking to her gate. And, scene!

Still fun to binge watch. If you are bored and have a few hours, go watch it and let me know if you guessed the killer right away.

The critics have been cruel. The ratings are middling BUT they miss the point.

This is a typical Agatha Christie-esque who-dunnit.... take a group of people at a country house and have a dead body type of whodunnit.

So it becomes a sort of puzzle.

1. Attractive cast - check 2. Attractive locale - check 3. Characters with secrets - check 4. Characters with motive - check 5. Characters with opportunity - check 6. Murder victim who may or may not be a nice person - check 7. Big reveal at the end after assorted red herrings are resolved. - check

Now comes the hard part. Is it well done?

Actually I think it is. It does drag at little in the middle but the resolution works.

As for the cast. I think they all do quite well and Nicole Kidman whom I have never quite taken to actually surprises me. I usually find her cold but in this, at the end, I fully understood her character. Her much maligned accent actually makes sense in the circumstances.

Give it a try. It is not the greatest mystery ever but it is fun if you just go along for the ride.