Z: O Começo de Tudo

This film is adapted from a novelised version of the Scott and Zelda story, seen from Zelda's angle for once - much in line with Christina Ricci's own feminist agenda, as she has explained to the media at some length.

It sheds an unflattering light on Scott, deservedly enough, because he was indeed an immature and incomplete character, whose drinking shocked even Hemingway. Yet Hemingway blamed Zelda for distracting Scott from a sensible day's work, although he did fall back on her extensive diaries for much of the detail in his novels.

But any political message is bound to be eclipsed by the sheer fun of a Roaring Twenties spectacular, based around the couple who essentially invented that decade (in Scott's own phrase, 'The Jazz Age'). We start at the fag-end of the Great War, with 20-year olds writing their Last Will and Testament, as they await the fateful crossing to France. Posted to Alabama, Scott meets Zelda, the local county belle, spoilt and wilful, who is rather casually doing her bit for the war effort. There is a believable portrayal of a respectable Southern home, where Zelda's father, played with deep conviction by David Strathairn, tries to keep her in order, while "Well-behaved women don't make history" is flashed-up on the screen, as though it was coined by Zelda, which it wasn't.

We have to conclude that Zelda's fame as Scott's muse will always outshine any other role she may have hoped for (novelist, artist, ballerina), and Ricci fills the role as well as anyone could, despite being twice the age of the girl she plays. The title comes from Scott's declaration "I love her, and it is the beginning of everything". This may not seem to mean much, though it is true that he might never have got his first novel into print (third try), if Zelda had not stipulated this as her first condition of their engagement.

The puzzle remains as to why Amazon decided at the last moment to cancel this promising series before its second season (September 2017).

I cannot believe the negative reviews for this series! I am extremely interested in the Jazz Age/Flapper/Prohibition era as well as the Fitzgeralds who were true embodiments of this time period.

I think it was beautifully filmed, and despite what some reviewers say, I believe Christina Ricci was an excellent choice to play the complicated Zelda Fitzgerald. I won't drone on and on but just need to say I am so disappointed this wasn't picked up for at least one more season.

One more thing: I am so tired of special effects/vulgarity/and fast-paced MTV generation short attention span dialogue that is found in most contemporary shows and films!

I looked forward to this show since its pilot in 2015. Mostly because I am interested in this famous couple. But I must confess that I was bored the first half of the first season. One episode has only half an hour and it still seemed to be unfulfilled. I almost stopped watching it but the other half somehow caught my attention.

The mise-en-scene balances showing glamorous era with realistic depiction. It is believable.

It is adaptation of a book focused on Zelda's story. It is Zelda's point of view. She is the heroine. But unfortunately character of F. S. Fitzgerald is depicted as a villain. For me it was not good choice to show F. Scott Fitzgerald as such a negative character. In society is big question about their relationship, who were they actually. So in the story I would appreciate more questionable representation instead of such black and white characters. At least based on season one. Maybe creators change their direction if season two takes place.

Christina Ricci is fairly good choice for this role. On the other hand, David Hofflin is just hardly believable. Maybe it is problem of casting in the first place. Supporting woman roles are delightful, little caricatures of people of that era.

For now, the show did not mean waste of time for me but neither a miracle.

First, I'll comment on the divided reviews. Although not typically my cup of tea; the production was well done. Considering this is basically a historical Bio-Drama, which took place in an era some 100 years ago, it wasn't bad at all.

I was surprised to see Ricci cast as Zelda, but she did a decent job, as did Fitzgerald's portrayer.

If you know the story of Fitzgerald, it's really a very depressing ballad. He was a serious alcoholic up until a year prior to his premature death. Zelda was perhaps worse as her mental illness truly manifest itself as she aged, but still relatively young.

I believe the production did a good job in a few areas, not the least of which was, early on, conveying to the viewer their self-absorbed pretentiousness. Whether or not this was typical with success in those circles, it was honestly, fairly disgusting. As such, I'm sure most viewers could not empathize with either of them (let alone sympathize.) The series is slow at times and my wife and I watched it in pieces over several nights. As is so often the case, the producers/writers just plain ignored quite a bit. Just as well. I mean how much misery can we take.

But the sets, attire, music, and filters did indeed achieve a good (shall we say) "flapper" atmosphere & ambience.

All that said, I do agree with the praises by other reviewers. But it not going to have appeal for those who don't go in for this type of production. For me, I was OK with it, but certainly, could never venture a 2nd viewing.

Bob R.

That MUST be why this excellent series is gone(?)... I enjoyed the show and every friend that I know who watched it felt the same. Why is it that ANY intellectual program that doesn't appeal to the lowest common mindset has to wind up in the dumpster..? We are now reduced to picking and choosing from the mediocre menu that is served. How do we get any satisfaction when a gem isn't allowed to find it's legs? Anyone out there remember a small tv show named Star Trek..?