Wellmania

As a huge fan of Celeste Barber, I initially knew that my opinion will be 100% bias. As an European Australian, I know the difference between Australian TV shows and others. This is a very Australian comedy with a heartbreaking side story, reasonably grotesque, well written characters, fast paced and binge worthy. Season finale promises 2nd season (hopefully). I would recommend people not to think much into it. Laugh when funny, cry when sad. Enjoy. For Celeste Barber that was her benefit performance. Very much her. Very real. Very relatable. Very Australian. Her character is not rude, but overcompensating, chaotic and hyper. Well, imho. The cast is well picked and organic together. However, I was surprised that a few actors were not credited. Yael Stone, for example. Or, Gaz's ex boyfriend. I stand with my initial resume: exactly what I expected and rated accordingly.

I'll start this by saying that I'm a huge fan of Celeste Barber and her parodies of models. Her irreverent humour is brilliant.

I was excited to see that she was starring in this series and couldn't wait to binge it. I have to say that I almost stopped watching after a couple of episodes. I found the main character played by Celeste was so unlikeable and self-centred. She didn't seem to care much about anyone around her.

But I persevered. I saw the series out and am still in two minds about it. I loved the character played by Miranda Otto and thought she played the role beautifully.

Series 2? Hmmm....

It might seem like a FleaBag b side to start but stick with it. This show has substance and craft and characters that get under your skin. I didn't like it, ready to ditch it, then loved it. Celeste is fantastic. It's far far better than at first appears. This is long form storytelling, do not trust anyone that dumped it early because they haven't even entered act 2. From episode 5 we start to understand her trauma, and although it's story craft by numbers it's crafted exquisitely well, and performed beautifully. Stylistically it's fantastic, the flashbacks work so well, always maintaining the emotional impact we are after. Blah. Watch it. Stick with it.

I've never really followed Celeste on Instagram, I don't really get the humour of impersonating other influences and models, and essentially taking the Mickey. However, I absolutely love wellmania! Yes, Liv, is a hard character to like, but by the end, you'll understand why she is the way she is. I thoroughly enjoyed the backdrop of Sydney, and the cast of other characters with their own back stories. Season one certainly sets up for season two and I really hope this isn't another show, that gets cancelled well before it should. I'd say, ignore the bad reviews and give it a go. I binged four episodes in one night and the last for the next day. Easy watching!

Why is everybody expecting this to be a hilarious comedy? Just because Celeste is in it?

It is a heartwarming movie about family, friendship, about unresolved traumas and various journeys. Please stop saying it is predictable after watching 1 or 2 episodes.

The world of Liv is everybody's world at some point and I looooved that she tries to get better and her journey is not predictable. She is not choosing the easy way, as you may see for yourself after the interview where she may or may not expose the fraud.

She may seem selfish, but it is clear that her unsolved issues with her family or men make her sound ungrateful sometimes.

I looooved this show and I love australian series, soo down to earth and revealing such an intelligent sense of humour.