Barracuda

On the strength of the first two episodes of Barracuda, Christos Tsiolkas has failed dismally to recreate the elements that made The Slap the kind of drama that had everybody talking. There is no equivalent social issue. There are no similarly recognisable suburban archetypes. And the plotting falls well short of compelling. The first episode barely lifts itself above the level of Neighbours or Home & Away. Indeed, they've both done similar stories, and done them just as well. Much of the dialogue is also risible ("I've always admired the working class" says Helen Morse, as Tsiolkos's idea of a haughty society matron.) And while the director delivers pretty pictures of athletic bodies and swimming races, the performances he gets from his cast are mostly sub-standard. Rachel Griffiths struggles to make anything of a fatally under-written character. And our would-be hero is played by an actor with eyebrows that recall the Thunderbirds marionettes, except that they don't move - which leaves him with precisely two expressions: wet and dry. The stars are mostly for the actors' abs.

Overall the series is quite good. I have to admit I haven't read the book, however I would have liked to know more about Martin Taylor's character.

My only problem is that, the final episodes were too sad, and the plot a bit depressing, as were the characters. I know it's based on a book, but I would have liked that Danny would have fulfilled his dream, and that the relationship between Danny and Martin wouldn't have ended badly.

I also would have liked the timeline between all the episodes not to have moved so fast, and more episodes, so that more drama, romance etc. Could have been developed. However, I think this series is amazing, as it makes you reflect and think, and I think it can teach you a lot of things.

On the other hand the production is very good, and the plot interesting, the best actress was Danny's mother, Victoria Haralabidou, she makes you get into the story and her role makes it perfect.

I hope they make a second season, or another series similar to this one.

I am not a fan of this writer, every time I start to read his books, I only get a third through. However it was a great production by the ABC and full credit to cast crew and writers. Loved the shots in the pool, and in particular Danny's mother who gave a wonderful and truly authentic portrayal of the European mum committed to family and life of her children. I'm not sure how much the miniseries deviates from book, but if end meaning is the same, then it was great. Not everyone is into sport, or can be a winner, and when a desire, passion, or dream ceases, it's not hopeless, but an opportunity to look at something else in life. I only hope more people will see that message. There's already too much loss of hope in the hearts of many in this world.

I do not know the book. But I admire the great acting and the fair construction of a parable about life and its fundamental meanings. It is not a swimming story. Or one about succes. It represents only a precise portrait of an age, a family, few clashes, succes and apparent fall as necessary wake up. A serie about the reality . Impressive for nuanced work of actors, for cultural references, for the courage and inspiration to give a honest image of ambition, triumph and the death of the hill in the most decent terms. Sure, for me, Elias Anton, Matt Nable and Victoria Haralabidou are the authentical stars. But each scene gives more than you expect in fair and powerful and clear manner becomind, in some measure, a mirror reflection or a precious lesson about life purpose.

Being a swimmer myself (in the good ol' days) I was immediately attracted to this series' narrative. Swimming is one of the most competitive sports you can compete in, and one of the most gruelling to dedicate your life to. And all I can say is, I loved it!

I simply devoured this series. It is story telling genius in how it moves and what is beneath it but at the same time it is brutal and honest and. It just is. This follow up to The Slap, which could easily be called The Splash, in that it is about swimming, is an epic journey of a kid called Danny Kelly who gets inserted into a fancy college due to his incredible talents in the pond. But despite his excellent coach and natural talent for winning, Danny rubs up against his more entitled peers which soon awakens a raw anger in him that may or may not lead to a sort of destruction, at the height of his reign. This story is about winning, about class, about anger, and about Australia. An Australia that hinges it's identity on glory above all, but who has no real connection to life beneath its surface.

I am left sat on this sofa, remembering my old swimming days, what it felt like to dive into that blue, chlorinated volume. What it felt like to race. What it felt like to win.

It's new year's eve right now and I might have had a few beers, but so what. This series has prescribed me 'hope'.

See you at the Olympics guys!