the initial episode of the Interestings based on the novel by Meg Wolitzer is an intriguing opening to a drama full of compelling characters with stories of their own to tell. time moves fluidly between the distant past, the present and the time in-between. one show and I'm hooked! can't wait for the next episode! the characters' youthful dreams cast long shadows over the lives yet to unfold. the perfect idealism and narcissism of youth set the stage from the distant past. do the youthful musings foreshadow events yet to come? the script is gripping. a must see! Kudos to screen writers Lynnie Greene and Richard Levine! Bravo!
9 Reviews
Exciting new show
abpatmore16 July 2016
The "Interestings" is an exciting new show that pulls you in right from the beginning.
As it moves from one time period to the other it is fascinating to see how the characters develop.
I'm anxious to see the next episode.
The dialogue is intelligent and very authentic. The casting is great. Lauren Ambrose is wonderful as Jules Jacobson. The show is a refreshing change from the usual TV fare.
Very thought provoking. The show covers many issues the viewer probably has experienced.
Amazon has a definite hit with this ground breaking new show.
As it moves from one time period to the other it is fascinating to see how the characters develop.
I'm anxious to see the next episode.
The dialogue is intelligent and very authentic. The casting is great. Lauren Ambrose is wonderful as Jules Jacobson. The show is a refreshing change from the usual TV fare.
Very thought provoking. The show covers many issues the viewer probably has experienced.
Amazon has a definite hit with this ground breaking new show.
It's So Original & Not Self Indulgent.
LouieInLove23 June 2016
Warning: Spoilers
It starts off with a group of Jewish kids at a summer camp & that idea alone is so original & I've never come across it before. It's so original!
Anyway! These really original & 'interesting' characters grow up to live really non-self-indulgent middle class/upper middle class lives, which are really interesting & engaging. Their issues are very captivating & they are not awful human beings at all! There are no stereotypical characters & the acting is first class; however, how could it not be with such an interesting story & quality writing.
It's said that you should write about what you know & if that is the case here, those involved with the creating must be fascinating individuals.
It's not awful & the characters are not horrid & vacuous, they are 'The Interestings'.
Anyway! These really original & 'interesting' characters grow up to live really non-self-indulgent middle class/upper middle class lives, which are really interesting & engaging. Their issues are very captivating & they are not awful human beings at all! There are no stereotypical characters & the acting is first class; however, how could it not be with such an interesting story & quality writing.
It's said that you should write about what you know & if that is the case here, those involved with the creating must be fascinating individuals.
It's not awful & the characters are not horrid & vacuous, they are 'The Interestings'.
Great acting. Great directing. A class act. Grounded and emotionally resonant!
suzannepatmore21 June 2016
This show just spoke to me on so many levels. It was the camp life I never had, the tight knit group I never really found in high school, the heady hubris filled conversations I longed to have but didn't. I eventually found a similar group in a different manner but SO recognized the archetypes and identified in such a profound way..with the hope, the sense of nostalgia, the sense of envy and the inevitable sense of loss....the gorgeous, nut somewhat melancholy pilot had more lows than highs but am supposing this will vary week to week as life does. most importantly it all felt grounded and Emotionally resonant. Great directing. Great acting. A class act. And the kind of show I have been missing for a while. Where have Ellen the great emotionally fraught but realistic dramas gone? I hope to Amazon!!
Can't Wait to See the Rest of It
mary-1830411 July 2016
This pilot was riveting from the first moment. The writing is tight and intelligent. The plot jumps back and forth between the past and the present, but at least so far it isn't hard to follow. The show does a great job of grabbing your interest right away by introducing a whip-smart, funny female protagonist who really doesn't seem like she could be one of the cool kids, but somehow she becomes one. There's constant waiting for the other shoe to drop, as you learn pretty early on that something went terribly wrong between these kids' teen years and their thirties, but you don't know what. Meanwhile, they're all real people with real-life problems, sometimes portrayed in a heartbreaking way, but always honestly. Some things have just evolved naturally, and it's already fascinating to see the contrast between their teenage expectations and their adult lives. Can't wait to see more!
Watch the interesting!
ags-9748111 July 2016
This was one of the best interpretations of a written book I've watched in a long time. The writers portrayed each character perfectly. Having met at summer camp the episode takes you from the present to the past continually. You get only a glimpse of the depth and emotional availability of each character through the extremely well cast actors. The actors showed the humor and vulnerability in each person. A testament to the writers ability transform the written word!
A very realistic portrayal of the angst of teens and their connections to each other as they journey into adulthood! This would be a series many would want to binge watch! Myself included! Hoping to see more!!!!
A very realistic portrayal of the angst of teens and their connections to each other as they journey into adulthood! This would be a series many would want to binge watch! Myself included! Hoping to see more!!!!
Love this pilot!! Hope Amazon makes more episodes!!
maziemorgan25 June 2016
Wow, I was such a fan of the Meg Wolitzer book and this pilot does not disappoint!! I have been excited to see this for a while! This is the story of childhood friends from an elite arts camp (the "Interestings"), who form loving, complicated, lifelong bonds. Pitch-perfect casting with great chemistry between the actors - Lauren Ambrose in particular is so stellar as well as David Krumholtz. There is a wonderful, effortless way of moving between the various time periods in the story and highlighting how the best-laid plans of youth go awry (sometimes) in our older years; and overall top-notch filmmaking that really creates its own world and tone. The story is funny, heartwarming and very human. The lead character of "Julie" (Lauren Ambrose) is both flawed and wonderful and watching her navigate the rarefied world of her friends and all the ensuing envy AND emotional growth is extremely compelling. There is truly something here for everyone.
Please Amazon, make the rest of the season! :)
Please Amazon, make the rest of the season! :)
The Interestings Delivers on its Promise
aefeldman11 July 2016
Just watched the first episode of The Interestings, and what a wonderful breath of fresh air it is. Amazon has picked a winner. Dialogue is so authentic and the back and forth between time periods is seamless and keeps the pace at a very high level. The screenplay ably delivers on the story promise after just one episode, with a compelling look at a premise we would all like to live, that the best friends we had in our tender coming of age years would stay intertwined with us forever. And remain so interesting. It is very satisfying to see Lauren Ambrose in another role where she can shine but every actor in this first episode gave a tantalizing glimpse into the roles they too would play. The next episodes are a must. We need more shows as unique as this one.
Hooray!
gabymassey20 June 2016
Desolated that there's only so far a single episode on Amazon, delighted to even have seen that. This is such a favorite book of mine, and literally the only quibble I had was that I don't think in 1996 NY yet had traffic lights with a hand and a person...? I thought the young cast matched well with the adult one, and was happy to see familiar faces.
Loved ALL the acting,thought casting was pretty perfect, wishing that I could have sat through the rest of the story tonight - and will now make do with re-reading the book!! For the rest I'll leave it to other people to fill in the story. Well done people who made this!!!
Loved ALL the acting,thought casting was pretty perfect, wishing that I could have sat through the rest of the story tonight - and will now make do with re-reading the book!! For the rest I'll leave it to other people to fill in the story. Well done people who made this!!!
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
