The Slap

Some time ago I wrote a critical piece about Australian TV dramas and received a fair amount of flak from my Aussie readers for so doing. Well rightly or wrongly, I stuck to my guns, but I am now delighted to report that the Aussies have totally redeemed themselves by making a programme which I can honestly say is one of the finest pieces of TV Drama I have seen.

'The Slap' is an 8 part Aussie mini-series based on the best-selling book of the same name, by Christos Tsiolkas. If you haven't seen it yet and you like your drama to be gritty, thought provoking, edgy and sometimes so realistic it is painful to watch, then go no further than 'The Slap'. It follows the lives of several characters who attend an otherwise innocuous 40th birthday party when one of the guests controversially slaps a four-year old who is misbehaving. The resulting court proceedings blows apart lifelong friendships and family relationships and the ensuing story covers virtually the whole gamut of present day social controversies; including rape, infidelity, substance abuse, domestic violence, alcoholism, breast-feeding, cultural ethnicity, interracial marriage and so on. I am sure my Aussie readers would be familiar with some, if not all, of the actors in this piece, but they were all new to me, and I have to say that the entire ensemble cast – including the kids – acted their socks off, without exception.

I will be picky and offer one criticism. I hated the intermittent comments made by a hidden, unknown, ghostly, (ghastly?) narrator. The lines narrated were undoubtedly taken from the novel, where 'omniscient narration' can be an acceptable literary device; but in a piece of TV visual drama, it is simply a lazy, old-fashioned cop-out. Everything told to us by this 'mystery' narrator, could just have easily been acted out by the players.

But I am being picky – good on yer Oz – I take my hat off to you, for a brilliant piece of relevant, 21st-century drama.

This series is dark and the characters not particularly likable, but they are never one dimensional. Every time you thought you thoroughly hated a character, they would reveal some other aspect of themselves that would make you like them a little. The multi-layering of the stories and the characters make this compelling viewing. There will be people you know that share some of their characteristics- maybe even yourself. It is not an exploration of happy families, but an exploration of our flaws. I haven't read any of Tsiolkas' books, but have been inspired to do so. I even loved watching the opening titles every week and am sad the series is over.

A long time since I originally saw it but I've never forgotten it. Fabulous character development and story twists and turns. Australian tv dramas just get better and better. Intricate and rewarding. I'd watch it again for sure.

The Slap has to be one of the finest pieces of drama to ever come out of Australia. It boils down to the core of our essence. No one is perfect and The Slap shows every ugly wrinkle. Many people will see a reflection of themselves, and it isn't pretty. But it is handled so deftly that you become part of their world.

Each episode focuses on one of the characters who were at a 40th birthday BBQ where booze, drugs and anger ends with a grown man slapping a small child. From here the author delves into the most inner thoughts of each character present at the BBQ. Thoughts most people would never share with even their closest friends. They lie, they cover their tracks, they live with the consequences of guilt and shame. The old man reflecting on his younger life, now disappointed with his lot, and contemplating never again having the pleasure of touching a young woman's breast. I think that is pretty powerful stuff. Not pornographic, just hitting home the reality what is going on in some people's heads.

No it isn't fun to watch, simply engaging. If you watch television to be challenged, this show serves it up in spades.

After reading The Slap, and thoroughly enjoying it, I was quite skeptical when I heard a mini-series was being made about it. On seeing the first episode I realised that finally someone, somewhere had created an on- screen production that was really true to the original story.

Each episode is completely engaging, and though it might take a rather pessimistic view on life it isn't wrong either. I definitely recommend this to anyone, whether you've read the book or not. With so many talented actors, and such an engaging story line there isn't really a lot of room for error.

Definitely one of the best things to come out of Australian television since the original Underbelly series. 10/10 from me.