User reviews

I enjoyed this entertaining murder mystery. The dance scenes were amazing and the character Lila was charismatic. The music and costumes were great and had me tapping my foot along to the Can-Can.

Parts of the plot confused me, and I had trouble keeping all the characters straight. The plot was not very clear and it was about 20 minutes longer than it needed to be.

After I take the time- really annoying- again. On PBS masterpiece digital. I liked the art direction, scenes of Paris- general atmosphere. The dancers are fun tho not authentic because the CanCan was really "naughty", not loads of underwear- Experienced dancers, could handle their skirts so you would only get glimpses. Founded Oct 1889, the MR (1915 big fire) that said, the poor story line & plot points means this can't be saved. 1- glad it was told in 1 episode 1-1/2 hr, instead of dragging it out to 3-4 hrs. 2- Toulouse-Lautrec is mentioned but never shown, he is an Icon; even if not in the plot has to be at the MR. 3- La Goulue is shown for a few minutes 1x, Jane Avril, Valentin le desousse (no bones) and Chocolate the famous lanky black man dancer is no where to be seen. Cha-U-Kao was sort of portrayed ("Clownesse" not shown; famous dancer and admitted Lesbian). Famous, key performers at the MR- especially known for the T-L posters. 4- A serial killer, killing MR dancers. Nothing, and I mean nothing in history. So it's a stretch. 5- The plot and story lines are ridiculous. One scene is an "Eyes Wide Shut" party at a mansion. Debauched upper class or not- does everyone want sex in public. Ok. Paris in the 1890s, wild, forbidden, elicit sex. No private rooms? 6- Naïve country girl, virgin, goes to a mansion party, On seeing the lively public sex, doesn't turn and run. And is surprised by her host trying to force himself on her (in a private room). This is de rigueur (required etiquette) for the host and for the tired plot. 7- Choreographer, runs MR Dancers (who runs the MR operations itself? nowhere in sight). Played by handsome French (good) Actor- had a tumble according to the explanation, broke his knee and now hobbles with a cane. How does a healthy young man have a small fall, and wind up with a shattered knee. I guess he's so bitter, in his late 30s, he couldn't get married, have sex, and a family. 8- Our lead girl, comes to Paris- to find her sister- goes to the MR - to dance. Is refused. She studied somewhere in the country with a local teacher when younger; for a week a MR dancer shows her the ropes. She wanders into the middle of a show, literally in the middle of the floor; is at 1st too timid to move- and than takes over. Now at once, becomes the lead dancer. No, not even in a fiction in 1890s Paris. 9-Now the whole thing about the serial murders of MR dancers- has the silliest story line. The above should tell you, there was no saving this. I doubt I will watch the others-