Roar

I didn't realize this was based on the book of stories by Cecelia Ahern, which I own but haven't read yet. On the surface, these stories are abstract, absurd, and likely not for everyone. But if you understand the metaphors (abusive relationships, trophy wives, etc.), this is a well-done, well-written anthology.

I was expecting more from this series. The stories felt a bit off, some confusing and like the writers couldn't think of a coherent ending so they just left it like that. Had some good actors, some funny moments, some horrific moments and over all, a lot of sadness. That's all I got from this. Like I said, underwhelmed.

I'm a huge fan of female-centric stories. All of the messages contained within this anthology series is an opportunity to take something away from each. The performers brought the high quality that we've come to expect. The cinematography was first-rate.

I did struggle with the overtly allegorical narrative style, as each subject matter tends to be delivered somewhat on the nose, which is kind of the point I guess. However this style of using the metaphor to blur the lines between realism and symbolic carries with it a distinct air of an ambitious student art film project.

All forms of self-expression are valid and this is no exception. It just takes some open-mindedness and adjustment as an audience member to participate in this experience.

Some of the reviews left for this series demonstrate WHY shows like this are made in the first place. An attempt to educate and share the female perspective, that is then lost on those who find it difficult to empathise with another persons' experience.

The series improves with each episode, IMO. The first episode could've packed much more punch as it was flat narratively speaking. The penultimate episode where a woman solved her own murder was movie potential, and the last was a beautiful story of "the grass is always greener when you take things for granted".

It's not the BEST thing ever made for TV. However it is quirky; deep yet whimsical, serious yet silly. Watch it as mindless time wasting OR mentally churn over the meaning behind it: it really is your choice as a viewer. You will get more enjoyment from it if you like analysing allegories and applying it to your own interpretation. Not everyone does, and that's okay: but this series will likely frustrate you.

It's odd. And familiar as a female. Watch it in short digestible 30min chunk episodes if needed.

The frustrating thing about these magical realism, Twilight Zone-ish tales, is that they start out intriguing, draw you in, and nearly every one of them ends with an anticlimactic thud.

They are all well-acted and handsomely produced, but speaking of The Twilight Zone, the ending of each of those was the best part!

If the stories these are based on didn't pay off at the end, then the clearly talented writers should have fixed that.