Little Birds

What a gem! I've read Anais Nin's works which this show is loosely adapted from. She writes many short works of erotic fiction that mixes death, sex and taboo, and all of this together forms a heightened, visceral and sometimes chilling grip.

I think perhaps this work takes the spirit of the author's work, perhaps some hints, themes and anecdotes, and makes its own story that could last for this six hour, six part Starz miniseries. Personally, respond to some criticism here, I felt that there was a solid enough plot. Sure some parts are a bit rough hewn in detail but I got the gist.

If the plot is wanting anyway, the characters and acting are very strong, and I think that was more Anais Nin's strong suit anyway. Very good actors who I've never seen before (for the most part) but who I was impressed with. Some unusual and spectacular casting with lesser known star talent.

The cinematography is sometimes elegant, muted and suave, and at other times colorful to the tipping point of garish, and then during the drug induced scenes, so potent that the vivid colors turn violent. But all in all I enjoyed the balance of the two and the expressionistic look.

I thoroughly enjoyed the series, but yes the characters were sometimes quite strange and unlikable, though complex. Perhaps on balance, taking back what I said, there was a bit too much psychological and cinematographic violence. However it did very much all belong together. A hard series to rate, but probably more reason to watch it for that reason.

The ending I wasn't sure about it, and wish the finish was stronger, and that's probably what does it for my rating why I'm rating an 8 instead of 9.

For me, this series has style, substance talent and also originality, and i recommend it!

Excellent casting and acting...I agree there were a few too many subplots, but, as a whole, it was entertaining and managed to transmit that Tangier magic.

I nearly turned off the first episode, but I kept watching it and glad I did as I loved it so much I ended up binge watching the entire series in one day, haha I hope there's a follow on series.

I really liked a lot of things about this series and would have scored it higher had the lead female been right for the part.

This production mainly concentrates on style and quirk rather than substance. I am not familiar with the source material, and was mainly watching this out of interest as I had heard of it, but I would have thought this aspect was in keeping. Just taking it on its own terms it had an off-beat quirky feel which I liked. Initially, all the characters are presented somewhat superficially and many of them simply as caricatures in an exercise in style. However, as times goes on some of them break out of this and become more interesting and engaging. One cares what is going to happen to them. Some continue as caricatures but are there to be played off or as a backdrop for the more rounded characters. The ambience of an apparently decadent Tangiers of the time sets off the characters perfectly.

There is definitely a story arc and character development. I cannot understand the reviews denying this. I can only presume they didn't watch the whole series.

I can understand the gratuitous quirk and eroticism putting some people off early on, although this element is surely clear from the trailers and description so not sure why they would be watching it in the first place. If it does not put you off then I would definitely recommend watching this to the end before making up one's mind. It is not brilliant or profound but has charm and I think it all makes sense as a whole.