Long Bright River

Solid show highlighting the many devastations and complexities of addiction. Good cast with better than average acting - Amanda Seyfried was a real bright spot lead. It could have been a great show if it was tightened up to only 5 or 6 (max) episodes. What began as a tight, engrossing story that adeptly wove multiple storylines devolved into a superficial whodunnit melodrama that was, IMO, wholly unnecessary (and detracted from the depth of the first episodes). It feels like they changed editors after episode 3. It's a bummer as it had real potential to be great.

I don't understand why Hollywood believes there needs to be 8 episodes for every show. How about make as many episodes as the story requires- case in point is Adolescence, they made the number of episodes needed to tell that story and it is more powerful because of the restraint.

I haven't read the novel, so I went into the show with no knowledge of the story, and I won't be able to compare the two. I am currently on episode seven, and though the storyline is decent, I think if the casting choices had been weaker, it would have lost my interest. Luckily, that wasn't the case. Amanda Seyfried's beautiful performance elevates what I otherwise might have deemed Mare of Easttown's less impressive sibling. Her attention to nuances and line deliveries makes what could easily be an unremarkable scene intriguing, and I've found myself very drawn to her character. The young actor who plays Thomas is also great. I look forward to finishing it, and though I fear the threat of predictability, I'm certain I'll still recommend this to people, especially fans of Seyfried. It's a slow-burn, but I haven't felt like I've wasted my time. If you like murder mysteries with layers and appreciate the good-but-flawed heroine cliché, I'm sure you'll like Long Bright River.

Some of the posted reviews are absolutely mind boggling in their lack of empathy and compassion. Apparently, the homelessness, drug addiction and prostitution in this area of Philadelphia (called Kensington) marks the people (especially its female members) as losers who are not worth consideration. And by caring about the fate of the women, in general, and worrying over her sister, in particular, the series' lead character Mickey, a patrol cop played by Amanda Seyfried, is branded as some sort of gullible sucker. I found the character of her sister, Kacey, as portrayed by Ashleigh Cummings, as the most realistic and fascinating in the show. It made me want to read Liz Moore's book, and I rate the series as an 8 out of 10 stars.

For a Peacock endeavor that mirrors NBC mainstream template, this show stays within those lines and is good, critically good. Some predictable items. But I could not stop watching. Well done. Amanda is an awesome actress btw. Realistic characters.

Edgy, great plot, dark but realistic. Reminded me *at times* maybe a bit True Detective, Shades of Blue, the Philly outside stuff made me homesick for Boston.

I know this is in a past date-frame, but hate how this reflects certain aspects of law enforcement and actual life.

I tried to give accolades but intentionally wrote so I did not give spoilers.

Impressed.

I'll start by saying that no, I didnt the read book and overall I did like this series. It was just too long and the story does drag on. The acting is great, and sadly this feels alittle too real. Alot of flawed characters either hooked on drugs or doing a job that they are ill suited to do. The story is depressing but also not the average hollywood story or reboot. Amanda Seyfried's character can be annoying and naive at times but watching her life unfold as the older sister of an addict was sad on many levels. And unlike the same crime series on TV it's nice to watch a story that I could imagine really happened. I just wish they made this one happen in 1 or 2 less episodes.