Ein neuer Sommer

The casting is perfect, isn't it? You've got Nicole Kidman, the seasoned pro who can carry just about anything. Dakota Fanning, all talent and precision, and then Meghann Fahy, still riding that wave from "White Lotus." Together, they pull in the whodunit crowd, no question. The backdrop? Gorgeous. And that simmering disdain for the filthy rich? Yeah, that hooks you in too, at first.

But here's the thing - beneath that glossy surface, it starts to wear thin. The endless closeups, the subplots that vanish without a trace, those misdirections that turn out to be... well, nothing. It's like you're being led around in circles, waiting for something with depth, something that'll hit hard. Instead, you're left with a hollow echo where there should've been a punch.

Kidman, Fanning, and Fahy? Sure, they shine. They always do. But the material? It just doesn't rise to their level. By the end, that big reveal you've been waiting for? Yeah, you probably saw it coming from a mile away. And the worst part? You're left thinking it could've been more - should've been more.

In terms of writing, this series borders on satirical. The script is so unnatural and forced, it's almost comedic, and as a result, I found it hard to take any of the actors seriously. How Kidman and Schreiber got wrangled into this fiasco of a production is a more suspenseful mystery than that on which this entire series is based.

That said, it does keep you engaged. I don't regret watching the series, it's a pretty formulaic production, very predictable, and if you're looking for a lazy weekend show to binge, it will scratch that itch. You're not watching Citizen Kane, but what the hey. Sometimes we all just need to turn our brains off for a bit and be entertained.

The critics have been cruel. The ratings are middling BUT they miss the point.

This is a typical Agatha Christie-esque who-dunnit.... take a group of people at a country house and have a dead body type of whodunnit.

So it becomes a sort of puzzle.

1. Attractive cast - check 2. Attractive locale - check 3. Characters with secrets - check 4. Characters with motive - check 5. Characters with opportunity - check 6. Murder victim who may or may not be a nice person - check 7. Big reveal at the end after assorted red herrings are resolved. - check

Now comes the hard part. Is it well done?

Actually I think it is. It does drag at little in the middle but the resolution works.

As for the cast. I think they all do quite well and Nicole Kidman whom I have never quite taken to actually surprises me. I usually find her cold but in this, at the end, I fully understood her character. Her much maligned accent actually makes sense in the circumstances.

Give it a try. It is not the greatest mystery ever but it is fun if you just go along for the ride.

I just finished binging The Perfect Couple and have to say that I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I've heard mixed reviews about, some people love it and some not so much. I like a good whodunit series and this was only 6 episodes long so I thought what the heck. It also has an amazing cast led by Liev Schreiber, Nicole Kidman, Eve Hewson, Jack Reynor, Dakota Fanning, Billy Howie, Meghann Fahy, etc. That cast alone makes this series worth trying. It has The White Lotus feel to it, especially with how beautiful it's shot. This isn't a masterpiece by any means but if you just want to turn your brain off and enjoy a good whodunit series then give this a try...you won't be disappointed.

I would have enjoyed this so much more if it had been labelled a comedy/dark comedy. I've read lots of books with similar plots and have enjoyed them but the tone in this show felt a little off from the start. Good actors were bad, performances were too big, etc. I thought it was just incredibly cheesy for the most part but by the end it's a clearly a full on satire. Keep this in mind and you might actually enjoy it, even if the overall direction doesn't quite get the tone right all the way through.

Not good enough that I'd seek out the book it's based on but a decent watch if you're in the mood for a cheesy show that doesn't take itself too seriously (and you can handle some bad accent work).