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.

The original Australian version of this series was brilliant. It worked in Australia, too, as most Aussies *would* slap that child---a horrid, spoiled, undisciplined little brat whose parents---most especially the idiot mother---needed a slap more than the child. But I'm not sure how America will react: will be interesting to watch, as the country were at the forefront of the "never slap a child" nonsense. The mixture of personalities and reactions in the series is good, but while initially you want to see particular characters dealt with harshly, as the stories unfold you see their more vulnerable sides and find yourself supporting them. Only exceptional direction and writing can do that, and this has both. The Aussie series had brilliant actors too, particularly the mother played by Melissa George in both the Aussie series and this one. She really did capture the self-righteous mother routine.

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.

While the title (and premise) of the series do come off as comical, The Slap is daring to take Network TV viewers to a place where we question our choices and our way of thinking. One small decision can spiral into a massive event that drastically changes everyone's lives around us. We have no idea what personal issues another person may be dealing with, or how we may affect them.

What each episode of this compelling miniseries forces us to do is confront a different controversial issue in today's society, and decide what we believe is right. Some people may argue that these characters are cliché and melodramatic. But the truth is, we all know people exactly like them, and we are guaranteed to confront some of these issues within our own lives. When these events occur, there's no predicting how another person will behave. The Slap is a guidebook to show how we should react, when others don't know how. We need to set the example, to prevent the disasters which happen in this series.

Society still has a long way to go. But by watching this series, we may gain some insight into being better people and caring neighbors.

This series may not have been as compelling or dramatic as the original, but it did bring a fresh take on an event that brought very different outcomes.