Classics: A Review of My Brilliant Friend By Lauren Ennis

How much of who we are is determined by where we came from? Can we ever truly escape our pasts, and if so, should we? These are the questions that lie at the heart of HBO’s hit drama My Brilliant Friend. In just eight hours of television the series perfectly captures the tragedy and triumphs of growing up. Through its chronicle of the tumultuous lives of its heroines the series simultaneously serves as an epic exploration of a society in flux. Easily one of 2018’s most memorable series, My Brilliant Friend more than lives up to its title.

It's a hard knock life!

The story begins with successful author Elena Greco receiving a phone call from the distraught son of her childhood friend and neighbor, Lila Cerullo. Lila’s son explains that his mother has disappeared and destroyed every reminder of her old life. Upon receiving this news, Elena becomes furious and sets to work writing a memoir of her friendship with the brilliant Lila. The story then flashes back to Elena and Lila’s childhood in the slums of Naples just after World War II. While the adults around them cope with the aftermath of the war, the girls struggle to maneuver the war-zone like violence of their neighborhood. By fourth grade the girls realize that education is the surest path to escaping the limits of the neighborhood, and both become determined to reach the top of their class. Through their shared passion for knowledge and their mutual desire for a better life the rivals eventually forge an unlikely friendship that will endure through the tumultuous decades to come. The pair soon find themselves at a crossroads, however, as Elena’s parents reluctantly allow her to continue her studies while Lila’s parents force her to quit school at age nine and take her place at the family shoe store. 

The duo then embark upon two very different paths, one of which will lead to Elena’s success, while the other sets events in motion that will ultimately result in Lila’s disappearance.

Based upon the first of Elena Ferrante’s bestselling ‘Neapolitan novels’ quartet, My Brilliant Friend is a gripping portrait of two girls on the cusp of womanhood and a nation on the brink of change. Following closely to its source material, the unflinching script transports viewers to the gritty world that its heroines inhabit without either passing judgment or offering apologies. The script portrays its leads with equal frankness as it chronicles their struggles and triumphs with an emotional honesty that is nothing short of raw. All the while, the girls’ stories intertwine with that of their changing neighborhood with the setting acting as a silent third lead and providing a haunting reminder of the obstacles that the girls face at virtually every turn. The series also earns particular note for its startlingly accurate portrayal of history as it explores the crime, violence, and poverty that defined life in much of post-war Italy without trying to force modern views and norms onto its characters. Functioning as both a compelling coming of age story and an examination of post-war life, My Brilliant Friend is a period piece that is certain to resonate with modern viewers.

Books are a girls' best friend

The series vividly brings Ferrante’s novel to life thanks in large part to the performances of its stellar cast. The supporting cast turn in uniformly superb performances with Dora Romano as the girls’ teacher, Miss Oliveiro, Gennaro De Stefano as Lila’s older brother, Rino, and Elvis Esposito as neighborhood tough Marcello Solara earning particular note. Even in the midst of its expansive and talented cast, however, the series belongs to the four actresses who portray Elena and Lila. Ludovica Nasti is pure dynamite in her charismatic turn as young Lila, whom she portrays as a force of nature. Elisa Del Genio is an excellent foil to Nasti’s Lila in her understated performance as young Elena as she imbues Elena with both intelligence and a subtle maturity. Gaia Girace and Margherita Mazzucco are equally well cast as the teenage versions of Lila and Elena. Girace’s portrayal of Lila makes for a seamless transition as she maintains Lila’s magnetism while capturing the ways in which she has matured. Mazzucco is equally adept in her role as Elena as she portrays Elena’s adolescent awkwardness and insecurity while still conveying her intelligence and diligence.

At once a gritty domestic drama and an insightful period piece, the series aptly explores the role that where we come from plays in shaping who we become. Through its engrossing script and transporting sets the series expertly brings Ferrante’s beloved novel to life, while still offering plenty to viewers unfamiliar with the book. With a riveting plot, a whole cast of colorful characters, and some of the best acting to grace the small screen, My Brilliant Friend proves itself to be nothing less than a brilliant viewing experience.

Classics: A Review of Bohemian Rhapsody By Lauren Ennis

A rhapsody is defined as “a euphoric expression of joy” or “an epic poem”, while the term bohemian has evolved to be slang for unconventional or free-thinking. It is only fitting then that the epic story of the ever original artist Freddie Mercury, whose euphoric anthems remain some of rock’s most enduring songs, share the name of his greatest hit, Bohemian Rhapsody. This 2019 smash hit follows Mercury’s career from when he first joined the band that would later become Queen to the band’s legendary performance at the 1985 Live Aid concert. At once a poignant exploration of mercury’s life and a show-stopping tribute to Queen’s musical legacy Bohemian Rhapsody is a biopic guaranteed to rock you.

All hail to Queen

The film begins with Mercury (Rami Malek) preparing for his iconic performance at Live Aid before flashing back to his university days when he was still a student and aspiring songwriter. It is during this time that he meets Brian May (Gwilym Lee), John Deacon (Joseph Mazzello), and Roger Taylor (Ben Hardy) of the campus band Smile. When the band’s lead singer suddenly quits musical history is made as Mercury steps in to take his place as the band’s unlikely front man. The film then follows the group as they evolve into the band now known as Queen and begin their rise to the heights of fame and fortune. As his professional life begins to soar, however, Mercury’s personal life flounders as he struggles to come to terms with his sexual, ethnic, and artistic identities under the scrutiny of the public eye. Queen and Mercury’s ensuing struggles ultimately culminate in the band overcoming illness and in-fighting to reunite to perform at Live Aid.

After years of lying dormant in development stages and numerous false starts Bohemian Rhapsody was finally released in 2018. Fans and critics alike approached the film with skepticism as they all considered one question; would the film do justice to the legacy of Queen and the life of its iconic front man? Audiences world-wide agree that the answer is a resounding yes. In just over two hours, the film brings the intertwined stories of Mercury and Queen to life with an emotion that is nothing short of raw. The film successfully balances its focus between Mercury’s personal and professional life in a way that lends viewers insight into both the man Farrokh Bulsara and the artist Freddie Mercury. As a result, the larger than life Mercury emerges in the film as a sympathetic, complex, and entirely relatable character rather than the caricature that fans had feared. The film portrays Queen’s other members with similar nuance, ensuring that the film is every bit the story of Queen as well as that of Freddie Mercury. Even as it sheds light upon the band members’ off-stage lives the film never forgets the signature songs that lie at the heart of its story. Over the course of its running time the film recreates many of Queen’s most iconic performances ranging from their first appearance on the BBC to their set at Live Aid in a way that reminds viewers just what it was that was so killer about Queen’s music. Through its combination of back-stage drama and on-stage theatrics, Bohemian Rhapsody is more than just a film it is, to quote Mercury, “it’s an experience. Love, tragedy, joy, it’s something that people will feel belongs to them”; in short, it’s a film worthy of Queen.

Don't stop me now...

The life and legacies of Freddie Mercury and Queen come to electrifying life thanks to the work of the film’s cast. Lucy Boynton is lovely in her heartrending portrayal of the woman Mercury referred to as the love of his life, Mary Austin. Aaron McCusker turns in a memorable and endearing performance as Mercury’s down to earth partner, Jim Hutton. Joseph Mazzello imbues his performance as Queen’s bassist, John Deacon, with sly sarcasm. Ben Hardy is riotous in his energetic performance as the band’s drummer, Roger Taylor. Gwilym Lee conveys intelligence and charm in his turn as Queen’s guitarist Brian May. Rami Malek is nothing short of brilliant in his multifaceted portrayal of Mercury, whom he embodies to such an extent that even Brian May has been quoted as saying, “he inhabited Freddie to the point where we (the band) even started to think of him as Freddie”. Together, the cast bring Queen’s story to life with a passion and skill that is nothing short of rhapsodic.

You're right, I am a legend

Soulful, operatic, and inspiring are just a few of the words that apply equally to Queen’s music and the film Bohemian Rhapsody. After years of production difficulties the story of Queen and Freddie Mercury has finally arrived, and proved that it was more than worth the long anticipated wait. Through its well written script, spot-on acting, and electrifying musical performances the film has rocked audiences worldwide. For a biopic that is truly a champion of the genre, join Queen in Bohemian Rhapsody.