Classics: A Review of The Undoing By Lauren Ennis

How well do we really know those who we hold nearest and dearest? This is the question that lies at the heart of the hit HBO drama The Undoing. At once an apt legal thriller and a riveting portrait of a family driven to the brink, the drama explores what we do when we're forced to question everything that we thought we knew. Through its gripping performances and compelling script the series transcends the limits of a traditional 'who done it' to take viewers on a psychological journey that asks what we would do if our own lives were to come undone. Join Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant for a mystery that will have you guessing at every turn in The Undoing.

You are fake news!

The story begins with psychologist Grace Fraser living a modern dream with a successful career, a happy family, and a magazine spread worthy home. During a school committee meeting she encounters her polar opposite in sultry struggling artist Elena Alves. When Elena is found brutally murdered after a school fundraiser the police discover her connection to Grace's oncologist husband, Jonathan. As she is drawn ever further into the legal and media firestorm surrounding the case cracks begin to show in Grace's seemingly picture perfect existence. What follows is a masterful mystery and legal thriller that is guaranteed to leave viewers on the edge of their seats through its every twist.

The Undoing sets itself apart from other recent television thrillers by presenting viewers with two mysteries rather then one. The central murder provides plenty of thrills as it offers a variety of likely suspects and shocking revelations around every turn. The second, and more compelling, mystery lies in the question of who Grace and the characters surrounding her really are. It is this question that drives the series' most gripping drama as it explores the universal conflict between our perception of our own lives and the reality that we're living. By exploring Grace's inner world the series highlights the ways in which we can become so consumed by the image that we project of ourselves that we can lose sight of who we are. This point offers particular poignance in an increasingly competitive society in which our every memorable moment is documented and distributed over social media. The depiction of a family in crisis makes for some of the series' most gripping drama as the Frasers find themselves increasingly suspicious of one another, even as they attempt to prove their own innocence. The fractured family dynamic creates a conflict is thought provoking as well as thrilling as it asks viewers what they would do if they were to walk in Grace's shoes. Enjoy a drama that will leave you guessing at every turn and asking questions long after the final credits fade in The Undoing.

This looks like the beginning of a beautifully awkward friendship

The story is brought to thrilling life thanks to the work of its stellar cast. Matilda de Angelis expertly balances sensual allure and vulnerability as the tragic Elena. Ismael Cruz Cordova conveys the torment and fury of Elena's betrayed husband, while still ensuring that Fernando remains sympathetic. Edan Alexander is heartbreaking in his turn as Elena's young son, Miguel. Noma Dumezweni is mesmerizing in her charismatic turn as Jonathan's attorney, Haley. Lily Rabe infuses her portrayal of Grace's witty friend, Sylvia with warmth and humor. Noah Jupe portrays Grace and Jonathan's son, Henry with an emotional depth and authenticity that belies his young years. Donald Sutherland gives a masterful, scene stealing, performance as Grace's devoted father, Franklin. Hugh Grant utilizes his signature charm while still hinting that there may be something more sinister lurking beneath Jonathan's innocent facade. Even in the midst of uniformly superb performances Nicole Kidman dominates  in a performance that blends intelligence, determination, vulnerability, and desperation in her portrayal of Grace's efforts to come to grips with her perfect life coming undone.

The Undoing perfectly blends legal and domestic drama to explore the ways in which we delude ourselves into seeing what we want to see even when the devastating truth is staring us in the face. The tightly written script weaves a refined tapestry of mystery, murder, and passion that is nothing short of gripping. The stellar work of the cast is guaranteed to keep viewers mesmerized through every minute of its six episodes. For a picture perfect thrill ride among New York's elite tune in to The Undoing.

This calls for a little 4D chess...

Classics: A Review of Cruel Summer By Lauren Ennis

 Adolescence is a time marked by change, insecurity, and mounting social as well as academic expectations; in short, it's one of the cruelest periods that many of us experience. In the new hit series Cruel Summer the confusion and pressures of adolescence combine with a local crime to form a mystery that will keep viewers guessing until its final frame. At once an engrossing character study and a twisting thriller, the series sets itself apart from Freeform's typical teen fare to earn it a place amongst the year's best dramas. As school gets back in session soak up the last remnants of the season in Cruel Summer.

As the story begins it is 1993 and Jeannette Turner is an awkward, naive, nerdy teen spending the summer with her friends and loving family. Meanwhile, her wealthy and beautiful classmate, Kate Wallis, is leading a seeming teenage dream as the most popular and sought after girl in school. One year later, however, the series shows that Kate has gone missing while Jeannette has taken her place with both Kate's friends and boyfriend. The series then flashes ahead to 1995 to reveal that Kate has returned after spending a year held captive in the basement of the school's vice principal. The lives of both teens are then turned upside down when Kate publicly claims that Jeannette witnessed her being held captive and refused to help her escape. What follows is a mystery that spans three years and two perspectives in pursuit of the truth with plenty of twists and turns along the way.

Through its combination of innovative storytelling and intricate mystery the series explores the ways in which social pressures, personal insecurities, and trauma can bring out the cruelty in all of us. The start of the series initially presents both Jeannette and Kate as innocents struggling to navigate the murky politics of small town society, high school hierarchies, and fraught family dynamics. As the story progresses, however, the character of both girls comes into question as each is portrayed in increasingly contradictory lights. In this way, the series highlights the ways in which we all too often present one, idealized, version of ourselves to the world while keeping our true selves out of public view. This conflict between our public personas and our authentic selves is particularly pertinent in an era dominated by social media, in which we compare our own, imperfect, lives with the seemingly perfect images that we view online. Through its focus upon Jeannette's evolution from self described nerd to teen queen the series reveals the ways in which the desire for acceptance can become a consuming obsession. Similarly, Kate's strained relationship with her mother and abusive relationship with vice principal Martin Harris reveals the dangers of social pressure and the ways in which we all too often disappoint ourselves in our efforts to avoid disappointing others. The depiction of the girls' legal battle conveys the trauma that both have endured with unflinching honesty, while still offering hope for recovery. The series' approach to its central mystery as a question of 'how' and 'why' rather than 'who' done it adds additional emphasis to its central themes while developing each of the characters with complexity and realism. In the midst of its intricately plotted mystery the series also offers a journey back into the 1990's that is sure to satisfy your nostalgia craving while offering vital insights that continue to resonate today. Join Kate and Jeannette for a summer to remember in Cruel Summer.

The series transports viewers back to the 1990's with an authenticity that will keep Gen X'ers begging for more. Allius Barnes turns in an endearing performance as Jeannette's loyal friend, Vince. Harley Quinn Smith steals each scene in which she appears in her charismatic turn as mischievous misfit Mallory. Froy Gutierrez lends darker depths to his equal parts charming and callous portrayal of class heartthrob, Jaime. Blake Lee infuses Kate's abductor, Martin Harris, with a humanity and moral ambiguity that ensure that he is more than just another stock villain. Olivia Holt expertly portrays Kate's journey from teen queen, to victim, to survivor with an emotional honesty and maturity that belies her young years. Chiara Aurelia captures Jeannette's yearning to belong and scorn for a society that has rejected her with a mesmerizing ferocity. Together Holt and Aurelia's performances perfectly complement one another in portrayals that personify society and adolescence at their most cruel.

Combining teen drama with mind bending mystery, this ode to all things 90's is as tantalizing as summer itself. Through its tightly written script the series successfully navigates alternating timelines and perspectives without missing a single beat. The series explores such adult topics as trauma, abuse, and identity with a depth and gravitas rarely seen in teen dramas. The uniformly superb work of the cast revives the 90's nostalgia in all of us while relating a universal tale that will appeal to audiences from Generation X to Generation Z. Hit the hot summer streets with Kate and Jeannette in Cruel Summer.

Classics: A Review of Violet Evergarden By Lauren Ennis

There is no greater devastation that that which is left in the wake of war. Long after peace is achieved the scars of war both visible and invisible remain. Amongst these innumerable scars perhaps none run deeper than those sustained by child soldiers, whose innocence and lives are sacrificed on the battlefield. Kyoto Animation's 2018 series Violet Evergarden follows one such child soldier as she struggles to adjust to civilian life while facing the trauma of her past and the pain of growing up. In its portrayal of one girl's journey from weapon to woman Violet Evergarden offers six of the most thought provoking, heart wrenching, and ultimately inspiring hours in all of animation.

The power of the pen is mightier than the sword

The story begins with child soldier Violet recovering in a hospital after losing both of her arms in battle. During her recovery she receives a visit from a former comrade, Claudio, who informs her that the war has ended and her superior officer and father figure, Major Gilbert, is missing in action. She is then discharged from the hospital with fully functional prosthetic arms but without a family, home, or profession to return to. While everyone around her is relieved at the war's end, she finds herself lost without the structure and comradery of military life. In an effort to help Violet adjust to civilian life and atone for his own survivor's guilt Claudio offers her a job at his company, the CH Postal Company. Unlike a traditional postal service, the company offers a variety of services including ghost writing letters for its largely illiterate customers. After witnessing her colleagues'  work she becomes determined to pursue a career as one of the company's renowned 'auto memory dolls', or ghost writers, and learn the true meaning of Major Gilbert's last words to her, "I love you". The series then follows Violet as she navigates her new life, her past trauma, and the depths of the human heart.

While film and television are proliferated with war stories celluloid has rarely captured the aftermath of war and its lasting toll on survivors with the complexity and gravitas of Violet Evergarden. Violet's travels aptly highlight the devastation of a post-war landscape as she encounters the war's continued impact upon her colleagues and customers. In several episodes she encounters characters struggling to pick up the pieces of lives shattered by loss and learns to make sense of her own loss in the process. She also experiences the dramatic social changes that wars leave in their wake as she witnesses the political upheaval, shifting gender roles, and economic turmoil of a nation struggling to rebuild and redefine itself. Most notably, through Violet's story the series depicts the struggles of veterans as they adjust to the demands of civilian life while they continue to face loss, trauma, and injuries. Even as it explores difficult topics and dark themes the series is essentially a tale of redemption. With each new assignment Violet witnesses the ways in which people overcome even the most devastating of losses to help one another to rebuild their lives. She also assists her customers in their own efforts to come to grips with various traumas and atone for their conflicted pasts. Even in the midst of its many compelling stories, the series' greatest transformation is Violet's own as she grows from emotionally damaged child and  'tool of war' to a compassionate and independent woman in command of her own destiny. For an emotional journey that you won't want to end pack up your suitcase and join Violet Evergarden.

Say hello to my little friend!

The unique vision of the original 2015 graphic novel is brilliantly brought to life thanks to the series' mesmerizing soundtrack and breath taking animation. Drawing from the real life events of World War I that inspired the graphic novel, the series pays apt homage to the fashions, manners, and architecture of early twentieth century Europe. Similarly, the classically influenced soundtrack matches the setting without limiting its atmosphere to any specific era. As a result, Violet's adventures in the fictional Leiden are lent just enough realism to keep the story grounded in our own world. The series successfully creates its own unique setting by mixing its historic influences with futuristic elements and blending cultural influences from around the globe. In this way the series offers a tale that relates to our own history while still immersing viewers in a story that is truly out of this world. For a glimpse of some of the most achingly beautiful animation to grace the small screen pay a visit to the scenic world of Violet Evergarden.

At once a unique coming of age story and a universal tale of the toll of war Violet Evergarden relates a story that is easily one of the most visually dazzling, emotionally compelling, and entirely original stories in all of animation. Through its awe inspiring landscapes and captivating character designs the series creates an immersive world which viewers will be hard pressed to leave. The lilting soundtrack perfectly compliments the events on screen without becoming intrusive and will linger in viewers' memories long after they have completed the final episode. The script portrays Violet's journey with a subtlety, emotional complexity, and unflinching honesty that is certain to resonate with viewers of all walks of life. For an animated experience that colors outside of the lines embark upon the adventure of a lifetime with Violet Evergarden. 

These boots are made for walkin'....