Bloom

You'd think that a series about a plant that supernaturally restores youth to the ailing elderly would have a bit more exhilarating vigor and faster pace, but unfortunately "Bloom" is as sleepy as the quiet Aussie town it's set in. The cast aren't exactly that much likable, either. But the story is quite solid, the drama poignant enough for me and the adept highlighting of the plight of seniors coping with dementia and their caretakers very much noble and laudable. So I would declare the show pretty much redeemed!

I liked it even though it's something that can't ever happen. Great acting and easy to follow. Found it both thought provoking and sad. Worth a look

Bloom is a great new piece of original drama straight out of Australia. From the opening scene I was hooked. While Australian stalwart actors Bryan Brown and Jacki Weaver give it some street cred, the young actors (particularly Ryan Corr) really steal the show. At only 6 hour long episodes it was easy to binge watch over the course of a day. The country town setting is very Australian. (Having come from one I can attest to that), the pace is great, with each episode ending on a cliff hanger. I also loved that it included a couple of same-sex couples stories with care and grace. This is one of the most original stories I've seen in a long time. Of course you need to leave reality at the door, so sit down, relax and enjoy the story.

Suspend belief and be transported to an idyllic country town in Victoria, Australia. The town is run down and many of the residents affected by a flood 12 months earlier. Slowly the story evolves to yield a complex web of connection between the main cast. The sci-fi is understated. No clever morphing or over the top blue screen special effects. This is old school film-making where the plot slowly exposes the frailities of the characters and their decisions to revisit their youth. The photography and settings are visually pleasing, the acting great. If you analyse the plot development too much it has a number of holes even if you accept the initial fountain of youth concept. A little too long, it is a commitment but worth the journey. I am not generally a sci-fi viewer, but this one captured me.

Bloom makes a valiant effort at trying to carry a wafer thin script over 6 hour long episodes but comes up well short. Firstly the positives it is beautifully shot with top class cinematography, there are some nuanced preformances from the likes of Brian Brown and Jackie Weaver but the standout performance is Ryan Corr who steals the show with his multilayered complex performance, a true star in the making. Sadly Phoebe Tonkin does not have the acting prowess nor the script to make the character of Gwen anyway intriguing nor memorable but the weakest link acting wise is that of Max played by an OTT clunky cringing Sam Reid whom gives a truly hammy performance. The script could have been edited to four episodes as six is much too long for a dragged out premise. If there is to be a second series I hope Ryan Corr's character could be explored further a much tighter condensed series could figuratively bloom