Le ragazze dell'ultimo banco

It has been a long time since I have watched a show that was subtly smart. The Girls at the Back does not put up the airs to be smart, but it is. This is a smart show that stands in front of you, with full frontal nudity (pun intended) and yet manages to hide things from you. Yes, the frame is "one of them has cancer" and "they are getting to do their last wishes" but there is so much nuance weaved into their interpersonal relationships that turns this very basic premise into an intricate tale of human reckoning.

I am sure each person will connect with the story at a different level; getting nostalgic about your own friendships, getting melancholy about your last relationships, life and all of its unknowns, etc. This is the charm of a human interest story done well.

The story is not linear. It also is not conventional. But it is a glorious portrayal of a group of women who treat each other better than sisters, and go through life (cancer, and all but cancer) with unconditional love and regard.

I did not expect it to be this well done. But I was blown away.