The Slap

Having just watched the Australian version of "The Slap," I was interested in seeing how the US version would compare. It was quite a disappointment.

The Australian version was cast much better & key story elements were developed much better as well (for example the tension and chaos building up to the slap was perfect in the Au version, but completely unbelievable in the US version).

Regarding Casting: Jonathan LaPaglia, who plays Hector in the Au version is a much better fit. Also Alex Dimitriades as Hector's Cousin Harry in the Au version is a much better fit as the sort of short tempered hot- head.

There are many great actors in the US version- but they are unfortunately either cast in the wrong role (in a few cases) or do not work for this series at all (most cases). Thomas Sadoski is a talented actor, but is an example of miscasting. He could have been a decent fit as Hector, but not the correct fit for the role of Gary. Peter Sarsgaard and Zachary Quinto are also talented actors, but do not work for this series at all.

I guess I have to also question the directing. The entire initial episode was completely rushed, disjointed, and simply not believable. (Case in point- the tension between Quinto & Sarsgaard seemed almost joking rather than heated). I think both are good actors, so the problem is likely one that falls to casting or directing?

There are many other problems I could mention but suffice it to say- If you are at all interested in this series, skip the US version and watch the AU version..... Or at the very least, watch the first episode of each and see if you agree (It will only take 1 episode of each to make up your mind).

The original Australian series was based on a book published in 2008. That book, and the Aussie series, have Harry slapping Hugo AFTER Hugo kicked Harry in the shins when he took away the cricket bat. In this American version the baseball bat is nowhere in sight when the brat gets slapped, which changes the entire connotation of the drama. When you remove the pain/shock/reaction factor, you change the entire premise of the story. Anyhow, for all the critics out there - maybe read the book, which is excellent by the way, and watch the original version, before becoming moral judges of the situation. Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying watching this version, but it does not really portray the events and emotions in play in the book. Oh, and Aisha was a vet, not a doctor.

Honestly, I was horribly turned off by the hyped up advertising. The first episode was horrible. It seems to be the current trend to pump up and try to trigger reactions vs. produce quality art for first episodes and beginning and ending season episodes. I've learned to ignore what I call the Stupid Factor of Studio Pandering.

Why the 7? Because each progressive episodes is improving to a quality worth taking the time for. In particular, Uma Thurman's episode Anouk while predictable, IMO was satisfying; And I am enjoying the treatment and evolution of this mini-series. Not to mention I'm enjoying the highlighting of each of these major actors chops!

The two-dimensional treatment of the first episode is fraying into something more... But I don't know if it will be enough.

the character of Rosie's super-fake woykin' class new yawk accent. she is obviously laying it on very thick. it sounds ridiculously fake. is she British or something?

the multi-ethnic mix of characters is fine. New York is like that.

but that level of entitlement from the stay-at-home wife of an artist only comes with years of higher education and privilege. a working-class New York mother would have smacked her own kid on the ass and said, "play nice!" that would have been the end of it.

speaking of accents we get it, Aisha is from england. her character can stop saying "bloody and petrol and knickers". we get it.

haven't watched the third episode yet. running out of patience for this.

also, who the hell is the narrator? why is there a narrator?

Come on a show based on a kid getting slapped, i mean really? What bright producer figured that would be a good idea to invest millions into? With a cast like that you can make a show called "the crap" and have a piece crap, the same piece of crap, smear on an actor, get on another characters shoe causing eventual havoc. With a cast that like they would make that show 6/10.

But come on out of all the premises for a show, a slap of a kid? It makes me mad and angry, not sure why, no other show has done this before, when i see that title and that over dramatic slap, who cares!! Just stop!

Sigh. You need something that everyone can relate to, I'm sure someone had their kid slapped and felt some passion for this show but how many people can relate? THEY NEED TO MAKE THE TV SHOW FOR "DARK CITY". End of story.