The Decameron

My goodness but doesn't anyone want to watch something just for fun anymore?? C'mon y'all, this is called humor and we need it these days.

First I want to thank the sound crew for the delicious soundtrack! I'm in my mid 50s and most of the songs (I've watched the first 4 episodes so far) have me and my husband nearly dancing while viewing!! Of course it's silly to hear Depeche Mode playing in the background during a scene from the 1300s, but that's the point! Some of these other reviewers seem to have missed the point.

This series is very refreshing, goofy, fun and hilarious but also well scripted, performed and beautiful cinematography as well. I am trying not to binge this one out too quickly, yet I can't wait for more!!!

There is no point in comparing this with Boccaccio's Decameron, as it has only really taken the idea and setting from Boccaccio. This is not setting out to be a serious adaption and is best not judged as such. The tone and humour may seem more in line with Boccaccio's contemporary Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales.

The humour is broad, but does hit the mark on occassions and the setting and costumes are certainly beautiful. The show features an international cast of well-known faces from some top comedy titles who cope well with the stye which is at times positively theatrical.

Just taken as a stand-alone production, separated from its illustrious literary predecessor, it has quite a lot to offer those just seeking entertaintainment who may have little interest in history or satire.

I gave it a7 measured against everything I've ever watched before. The short review is that I enjoyed this. I binge watched it during my wife's absence because I suspected she would not enjoy it. My taste is slightly more eclectic and so I came into this without major expectations, simply expecting just a fun romp with the occasional smart or funny quip and it met my expectation.

I read through many of these reviews before and after watching and I think some viewers expected too much. If a person feels the need to write a horrible review, why the heck even would that individual hang in there for eight episodes?

Anyway, if you are the curious type, you'll see I have a public list of movies I've watched during my many years on this little blue planet. I don't write a lot of reviews but jumped in here because I felt this deserved higher than a six rating. If you've found my review and you're wondering if you should invest 8 hours of your time watching this, my advice would be to stay away if you are the very serious or overly critical type.

It was fun. Love has long claws.

I am not sure why the show got such low grades. It has all it takes to make it interesting to watch: light humour, fast pace, caracter development, awkward situations... I mean yes, there is no end goal to it, as in there is no classic scenario, some things are bizzare and maybe illogical, but it all serves the atmosphere of a plague, and depicting the sense that the people must have had during those times - despair, hunger, pain, opportunism, but also sense of freedom, unimportance of social status, changing roles, and finally importance of love and friendship during difficult times.

The show depicts how in times of crisis people start behaving in different ways, and the results are sometimes bizzare, sometimes satisfactory.

Though not really a Decameron, it reminded me of Shakespeare's comedy plays, depicting quircky medival atmosphere. It definitely deserves higher grades.

I think many have a lack of understanding what satire is. If you need a laugh track to have fun, this is not for you. I found the storytelling to be pretty smart and every episode is filled with twists and turns that keep the story interesting.

Obviously, this isn't historically accurate. It doesn't need to be and doesn't try to be, if somehow soundtrack made of 80's electro pop and punk hasn't made it abundantly clear already.

It's a study of humanity and well - inhumanity. The setting is irrelevant. It could've just as easily been placed in modern time. It's not like we haven't gone through a pandemic recently...

Anyways, personally I've enjoyed it. And you may as well. That is if you don't find it infuriating that characters are wearing wrong gowns, or speak English with an accent that you don't like, or whatever the negative critics say.