Faux-semblants

The series gained good traction after the first half. Production quality was top notch, though was shot a bit dark for my tastes. I think it was a challenge to take the original material and work it into a less Cronenberg and more 21st century theme. I believe it was a success and was just as interesting as the earlier film. I've long been an admirer of Rachel Weisz and was really impressed with her in the dinner scene in episode four at about the 39 minute mark. That's the one that rings award nominations for me. She has had many risky diverse roles in her career and this performance ranks among her best. Dark themes for sure, but executed really well.

I am a big Cronenberg fan, and I am very familiar with the original Dead Ringers. I will not compare them since this is a reimagining- but I will say they really are extremely dissimilar.

This show looks great, and Rachel plays the parts extremely well. The practical effects are SOLID- lot's of blood but I can imagine how it would be too much for some with all the graphic birth depiction. That being said- the show can be very hard to follow. It's all over the place, jumping from place to place sometimes from time to time with no indication. They are also introducing new characters all the way up to episode 5 (there are only 6). I think it could be a bit more cohesive. Yes, I do understand that is the point- it's supposed to be disorienting and the twins are supposed to sometimes be indistinguishable, so maybe you'll see it differently than I did.

Upon conclusion of watching all six episodes I read a number of the reviews and felt like I wished that I had seen the original. Perhaps there is some redeeming value in it. I found nothing in this awful story that was edifying.

To be fair the first two episodes were somewhat interesting. Kind of provocative, made me a little patient to see what might unfold. But, by half way through the fourth I had to force myself to continue.

You certainly have every right to question my state of mind that I continued to punish myself and watch the whole twisted meaningless confusing and wasted effort!

Many other reviews pointed to some of the specific failings of this gross production. They were correct. I'll finish by saying you're better off just watching the news.

The film, Dead Ringers, is based on a true story, of two (male) doctors, from New York city.

It only goes to further the fact that Hollywood's DEAD.

Ok, maybe not 'dead', just yet, but, they're on serious life support.

There's barely ANY film, which are original (and I'm NOT talking about ANYthing based on comic books, or video games).

The studios have done this destruction to themselves - they've gotten to the point that each film 'MUST' cost more. And more, and on,. And on....

Up 'til the 90s, or so, there were films for ADULTS.

There were family films. Comedies. Love stories, and many small quirky films. In fact, I remember when Robert Rodriguez just burst out with his first 'big' film, the major stories talked about how HE FINANCED THE FILM...on his credit cards.

Could you imagine someone tryi g to do that today, ' I see here a charge of 80 million, for costumes, and 95 million for basic budget, and 200 mill...')

You get the picture.

Recycling mold films is just a way of saving money.

It's pointless.

If the studios don't want to continue their accelerating ride to extinction,they best move fast, and think about stopping this idiocy, and making new films, based on NEW material.

This show had me hooked from the first episode. If you can stomach the multiple themes of miscarriage, birth, suicide, drugs, alcoholism and murder; then it's a brilliant story. But it's certainly not easy to watch. What I liked the most was the way it accurately portrays modern capitalism and the lack of humanity that billionaires have towards women's health and healthcare.

It also touches on the very sad but real subject of motherhood, wether is chosen or not. It also shows a very real picture of pre/postpartum depression, miscarriage, death at childbirth and family trauma from all these subjects.

The cast is perfect and each character is played flawlessly. As others said before me, Rachel Weisz certainly deserves an award for her amazing performance.