NFT: Big Little Lies

I've been watching. Never read the book, but it seems to me that they need to tie up a lot of loose ends by the end of next weeks episode. Its been good though. Nicole Kidman is a smoke show and I've always liked Reese W.

Even though I hate just about every character in it. Lot of cringe-worthy moments, but it keeps me wanting more. Very pumped for the finale.

The male characters seem bland. Abusive guy from Trueblood, Consolation prize friend-zoned husband, bad father trying to do better second time. They all seem cliche.

In comment 13409096 Colossus of Rhodes said:

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The male characters seem bland. Abusive guy from Trueblood, Consolation prize friend-zoned husband, bad father trying to do better second time. They all seem cliche.

I'd agree with that -- but the show isn't really about the men except with respect to how they treat women.

The one female character who seems badly underdeveloped is Lisa Bonet Jr as the yoga wife.

I can't decide if the whole Greek chorus thing works, it's adapted from the book.

affair with Reese Witherspoon and he's not even in the book

Abusive guy, wimpy guy, bad husband who now is grown up guy, etc. I got bored quick with this show

...though Kidman has said her role is still hard for her to watch. Probably her best work in a very long time. Witherspoon and Woodley are really good too. Plus some nice, understated stuff from Scott and Nordling in low-key roles. Even Skarsgård has more going on than just a sh!thead wife-beater.

Moriarty's books are painless reads, for chick lit. And while it's true that most of her male characters are thinly drawn, their interactions with women can be pretty interesting.

great acting and some memorable scenes.

cant wait to see how it ends

Only thing that bugs me is the sophisticated music taste of the 1st grader is soo over the top

In comment 13409599 Big Blue Blogger said:

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...though Kidman has said her role is still hard for her to watch. Probably her best work in a very long time. Witherspoon and Woodley are really good too. Plus some nice, understated stuff from Scott and Nordling in low-key roles. Even Skarsgård has more going on than just a sh!thead wife-beater. Moriarty's books are painless reads, for chick lit. And while it's true that most of her male characters are thinly drawn, their interactions with women can be pretty interesting.

I haven't read her other books, I found this one entertaining and an easy read. The Reese W character is much more interesting on the show than in the book.

Kidman is fantastic, her scenes with the therapist are the best of the series.

In comment 13409665 ron mexico said:

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cant wait to see how it ends Only thing that bugs me is the sophisticated music taste of the 1st grader is soo over the top

Agreed. And while I think Kidman has done an excellent job with the role, I can't get past all the plastic surgery she has had done; she used to be so hot!

I had forgotten how hot and talented Reese Witherspoon is. I also love the relationship between Jane and Madeline.

I like it because it's a little different and I think there is some good acting in the show.but One thing though I think is dumb is how she supposedly moved there for a better life for her kid but then early on when he was miserable and being targeted by almost everyone and even being asked to see a child therapist why she wouldn't just move back home or possibly somewhere else. She couldn't even find work so a career wasn't holding her there. Of course then there would be no show so obviously she doesn't but I found that a little unrealistic to buy into. Maybe the book does a better job with that.

In comment 13409665 ron mexico said:

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cant wait to see how it ends Only thing that bugs me is the sophisticated music taste of the 1st grader is soo over the top

I felt the same way. Watching that kid strum the guitar sitting on the porch at dusk... had to roll my eyes at that one.

steve in ky said:

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...One thing though I think is dumb is how she supposedly moved there for a better life for her kid but then early on when he was miserable and being targeted by almost everyone and even being asked to see a child therapist why she wouldn't just move back home or possibly somewhere else...

I think it was in one of the marina/coffee house scenes. When urged to leave, Jane explained that Ziggy was making friends, and that they wouldn't find a comparable public school if they moved again. The show has also hinted that Jane's motives are multi-layered. BTW, although I've read a few of Moriarty's books, I've avoided this one because (a) I'd rather save the major reveals for the show and (b) I'm not that big a fan anyway.

The acting by the kids is very special.

The show is fun and well crafted.

Neither was the motive. The killer sort of came out of the blue though.

All's well that ends well, I guess. But there is one more episode...

Oh, OK. So, what was up with the POV binocular shot before the credits rolled?

In comment 13415149 Big Blue Blogger said:

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Oh, OK. So, what was up with the POV binocular shot before the credits rolled?

Combined with the detective saying she didn't believe them, I took it as implying they might not be out of the woods yet.

Was more believeable than in the book. As was the end where they cover it up rather than let Bonnie admit to it as she does in the book.

Overall I really enjoyed the series.

Made no sense to me. Would have been justifiable killing.

Witherspoon is a great actress.

spousal abuse I've ever seen on TV. I was honestly scared for a fictional TV character.


Excellent show. Nicole Kidman will likely get a shitload of awards.

ron mexico said:

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Made no sense to me. Would have been justifiable killing.

If any of the other four women had been responsible (especially Celeste), yes. With Bonnie, the justification isn't quite as clear-cut, since she ran into the fight and was never personally threatened. I have no idea where California law stands on a Good Samaritan intervention that ends with the aggressor dead.

BTW, the book gives Bonnie a back-story that adds some layers to her motivation. The series left her largely undefined, except maybe as the coolest, hottest, most talented stepmother ever.

In comment 13415333 Big Blue Blogger said:

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ron mexico said: Quote: Made no sense to me. Would have been justifiable killing. If any of the other four women had been responsible (especially Celeste), yes. With Bonnie, the justification isn't quite as clear-cut, since she ran into the fight and was never personally threatened. I have no idea where California law stands on a Good Samaritan intervention that ends with the aggressor dead. BTW, the book gives Bonnie a back-story that adds some layers to her motivation. The series left her largely undefined, except maybe as the coolest, hottest, most talented stepmother ever.

I think they gave Renata more of a backstory instead, and Laura Dern nailed that out of the park.

1 - The overuse of the Greek chorus. I understand why they exist in the story, but they didn't need to be in every episode.

2 - Not explaining how Jane ends up in the same town as her rapist. All it would've taken is one simple sentence to explain why she's in Monterrey, but we don't get that. So when she finally sees Perry, it's a bit much.

In comment 13415480 shockeyisthebest8056 said:

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1 - The overuse of the Greek chorus. I understand why they exist in the story, but they didn't need to be in every episode. 2 - Not explaining how Jane ends up in the same town as her rapist. All it would've taken is one simple sentence to explain why she's in Monterrey, but we don't get that. So when she finally sees Perry, it's a bit much.

The Greek chorus was an attempt to mimic the book. I agree that it wasn't needed, and it doesn't quite work here.

In the book I think he tells Jane he's looking at property there, which prompts the move. I agree they could have added that piece.

Somehow seeing the violence against Kidman without sound makes it even that much more unsettling. The entire series was shot beautifully.

the same guy that is Woodley's sons father?

PatersonPlank said:

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the same guy that is Woodley's sons father?

Yes, and it's sort of a coincidence, but sort of not.

.

Because as obvious as it was that he was the 'easy way out' they did it in such a way that held you till the very end.

Ordinarily I don't like stuff so neatly wrapped and everything is rosey at the end, but Kelley et al pulled it off IMO.

And the Greek chorus had a role in keeping the question and the suspense rolling, That mad it Hitchcokian -- there is a dead body -- who? How?

And as I said before, the child actors were fabulous, and Shailene Woodley held her own opposite three top female actors.

Now I can finally read this, LOL:


New Yorker on finale - ( New Window )