Parish

I came across this six-part mini-series on a set of DVDs that my public library just added. On the surface it has several good things going for it. First I love New Orleans, I have been there many times, my wife grew up there, I used to live in a community just a few miles west of New Orleans. It is filmed there, I recognize the locations.

Plus I am big fans of two of the actors, the rest I don't know. Giancarlo Esposito was wonderful as Gus Fring in "Breaking Bad" which owes a lot of its popularity to his role. Here he plays the lead character, a driver, named 'Gray' Parish. The other is Skeet Ulrich as Colin.

The premise is thin, Gray and his wife discuss their lack of finances and fear they will lose their New Orleans home. She is suggesting they look at a less expensive, 2000-sq-ft home in Covington, just across the lake north of New Orleans. So he decides to do a driving job for some South African gangsters. There is a short chase scene on foot and they encounter a parade, an all too common cliche' for New Orleans locations.

After one episode I don't know how much more I will continue with. While the locations and cinematography are bonuses, the script and action don't have much subtlety. The story doesn't flow very well and the script is plain vanilla. With so many competing choices I don't know if I will spend the rest of the time to watch it all.

I will update my review if I do.

Update: I watched the second episode then gave up. Nothing but a bunch of bad people doing bad things and frankly not very interesting bad things. So I quit.

Well, what can I say? I watched all six episodes back-to-back and was engrossed throughout. The casting was solid, with interesting characters. It had elements reminiscent of 'Ozark', 'Queen of the South', 'Banshee', and 'Nobody'. Worth a binge-watch if you're into crime drama thrillers. Fast-paced and straight into the narrative.

If you're a film junkie like myself then you'll appreciate the time and effort that Danny Brocklehurst, Sunu Gonera, Theo Travers and everyone else put in to make this happen.

I enjoyed it. Not my place to say where it could have been improved. It is what it is.

Thank you.

A soporific "limited" series where you just "woke up" from cars' engine roars, chases, gun shot bangs and wounds. Besides the good acting and semi-thrilling atmosphere it has nothing to offer, the worst and the most detrimental to the show was his family and any children in it. They sucked up any thrill, drama and crime soap-opera that you got involved with in its 6 tiny episodes.

Giancarlo Esposito performed at his usual peak with gray hairs and minuscule screenplay plots this time, but overall the series is a waste with too little episodes.

• Screenplay/storyline/plots: 5.5
• Production value/impact: 5.5
• Development: 7
• Realism: 6.5
• Entertainment: 4
• Acting: 7.5
• Filming/photography/cinematography: 7.5
• VFX: 7.5
• Music/score/sound: 7.5
• Depth: 6
• Logic: 4
• Flow: 3.5
• Crime/thriller/drama: 6
• Ending: 5.5.

Decent show but argh my God the shona accents were super hard to go through! Thats my only gripe witht his show, it was absolutely shameful how bad the accents were. Surely theres good zimbabwean actors they could have given a shot. I only watched this coz im a HUGE Giancarlo Esposito fan and it wasnt too bad at all, definitely passed the time between my regular shows i watch but couldnt watch this all in one go like i watched Kaleidoscope! I hope Hollywood starts actually researching languages and accents to make sure they cast the right actors for these roles because i had a serious issue with the accents im sorry.

"Parish" is a highly engaging TV show that captivates viewers with its intriguing storyline and impressive production value. Set in the vibrant backdrop of Zimbabwe, the series offers a thrilling narrative that keeps audiences hooked. However, one notable flaw is the inaccurate portrayal of the Shona accent for its Zimbabwean characters. In this review, we delve into the strengths and weaknesses of "Parish" and address the disappointment caused by the inauthentic Shona accent.

Compelling Plot and Production Value: "Parish" takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride with its compelling plot, which seamlessly blends mystery, drama, and suspense. Set in the small town of Parish, Zimbabwe, the series follows a group of individuals entangled in a web of secrets and supernatural occurrences. The show's high production value is evident in its visually stunning cinematography, which beautifully captures the essence of the Zimbabwean landscape and adds depth to the storytelling.

Strong Performances and Character Development: The cast of "Parish" delivers commendable performances, bringing depth and authenticity to their roles. Each character is well-developed, and their personal journeys are intricately woven into the overarching narrative. From the enigmatic town leader to the resilient young protagonist, the actors succeed in captivating the audience and forging an emotional connection with their characters.

Cultural Representation and Inauthentic Shona Accent: While "Parish" successfully portrays the cultural tapestry of Zimbabwe through its storyline, costumes, and settings, the inaccurate Shona accent for its Zimbabwean characters is a notable misstep. The Shona people represent a significant portion of Zimbabwe's population, and their language and accent are integral to the country's identity. Unfortunately, the show fails to capture the nuances of the Shona accent, resulting in a lack of authenticity that may disappoint viewers familiar with Zimbabwean culture.

Impact on Cultural Immersion: Authentic accents are crucial in creating a sense of cultural immersion and believability. The inconsistent and incorrect portrayal of the Shona accent in "Parish" compromises the show's overall authenticity. Viewers familiar with Zimbabwean culture may find it distracting and disengaging to witness characters speaking with an accent that does not align with the reality of the region. The missed opportunity to showcase the diversity of Zimbabwean languages and accents is a notable flaw in an otherwise well-crafted production.

Recommendations for Improvement: For future seasons or similar productions, it is essential to prioritize casting actors who are familiar with the Shona accent or are native speakers of the language. Working closely with dialect coaches and linguists well-versed in Zimbabwean culture would ensure accurate pronunciation and intonation, adding credibility to the characters and enhancing the overall viewing experience. By addressing this linguistic misstep, the show could elevate its authenticity and resonate more deeply with its audience.