123 reviews
A Powerful Novel Brought to Life
- DiddleMeThis
- Oct 31, 2017
- Permalink
Thoughtful and Deliberate Storytelling
I found this to be a beautifully told, riveting story. It is certainly a slow burn so if you require fast-passed action this may not be what you are looking for.
Alias Grace is an example of thoughtful and deliberate storytelling. It presents the life experiences of Grace Marks (Sarah Gadon) as she shares her story with Dr Simon Jordan. Throughout the six-part miniseries, you are meant to consider whether she is culpable for the murders for which she was accused. Sarah Gadon gives a powerful, understated performance that draws you in. Her nuanced portrayal made me more interested in watching the development of her character than learning whether she had committed the murders.
I have read some reviews in which Alias Grace was criticized for being feminist propaganda which presented the male characters as predatory and the society in which Grace lived as patriarchal. I certainly agree that the series provided commentary on sexism and classism. But I think one should keep in mind that it's a historical piece set largely in 1840-1850.
A little history of Ontario, Canada: * In 1884, married women received the same legal rights as men to enter into legal agreements and buy property. * In 1917, women were granted the right to vote. * In 1928, the Supreme Court determined that the term "persons" in the British North America Act did not include women. This was appealed in 1929 and women became people under the act.
So ... Personally, I'm quite comfortable with the series' commentary on sexism and the presentation of the experiences of the female characters. If you aren't considered a person under the law, naturally it will reflect how you are treated in society.
Alias Grace is an example of thoughtful and deliberate storytelling. It presents the life experiences of Grace Marks (Sarah Gadon) as she shares her story with Dr Simon Jordan. Throughout the six-part miniseries, you are meant to consider whether she is culpable for the murders for which she was accused. Sarah Gadon gives a powerful, understated performance that draws you in. Her nuanced portrayal made me more interested in watching the development of her character than learning whether she had committed the murders.
I have read some reviews in which Alias Grace was criticized for being feminist propaganda which presented the male characters as predatory and the society in which Grace lived as patriarchal. I certainly agree that the series provided commentary on sexism and classism. But I think one should keep in mind that it's a historical piece set largely in 1840-1850.
A little history of Ontario, Canada: * In 1884, married women received the same legal rights as men to enter into legal agreements and buy property. * In 1917, women were granted the right to vote. * In 1928, the Supreme Court determined that the term "persons" in the British North America Act did not include women. This was appealed in 1929 and women became people under the act.
So ... Personally, I'm quite comfortable with the series' commentary on sexism and the presentation of the experiences of the female characters. If you aren't considered a person under the law, naturally it will reflect how you are treated in society.
- Wanderlust024
- Mar 15, 2018
- Permalink
Gripping.
The main actress was superb in this gripping drama. It was so good, I watched all the episodes back to back. (all in one night) A very entertaining mystery, thriller, did she do it? who knows.
Since it was based on truth, from 1843 the research on this must have been difficult.
Since it was based on truth, from 1843 the research on this must have been difficult.
- elsieclements
- Nov 10, 2017
- Permalink
Superbly made true crime story and Sarah Gadon is luminous
What a well made, superbly acted and completely fascinating series this turned out to be. A true life murder is always interesting but the details here are not too well known like Lizzie Borden's story. An Irish maid emigrates to Canada but gets caught up and convicted of the murder of her employer and housekeeper. The psychological and emotional insights are so well incorporated they ring true. The dialog is such that you listen for every word though some of the accents are a bit thick.
Acting is superb. Sarah Gadon is luminous and perfectly cast. Deserves an Emmy. Her facial expressions are just right for the complexities of the role. Anna Paquin is good too in a difficult role. Zachary Levi is kind and surprisingly not out of place in the time period. The supporting cast are good too.
The directing is precise and shows you what you need for the story. The horrific and painful parts of the story are such that it could not have been shown in such detail if it was adapted many years ago. What a perfect balance of beauty and horror.
The series is 6 episodes. Just the right length - neither too long to have any draggy moments or too short to feel short changed in any way. This series shows CBC more than matching the best BBC can produce.
Acting is superb. Sarah Gadon is luminous and perfectly cast. Deserves an Emmy. Her facial expressions are just right for the complexities of the role. Anna Paquin is good too in a difficult role. Zachary Levi is kind and surprisingly not out of place in the time period. The supporting cast are good too.
The directing is precise and shows you what you need for the story. The horrific and painful parts of the story are such that it could not have been shown in such detail if it was adapted many years ago. What a perfect balance of beauty and horror.
The series is 6 episodes. Just the right length - neither too long to have any draggy moments or too short to feel short changed in any way. This series shows CBC more than matching the best BBC can produce.
- phd_travel
- Nov 12, 2017
- Permalink
Truly Excellent Period Piece Filled With Human Drama & Intrigue
"Alias Grace" is a show that, normally, would not necessarily come across my radar as something to watch. I started it after a recommendation from a family member, who very interestingly told me "it looks like a period piece, but it's done very well". That was telling to me. Often, when one thinks of "period piece", they think of stuffy dramas that look old and outdated even when they are new. A few really rise to the surface ("John Adams" a while back comes to mind), but many just reside in that "muddy middle". Fortunately, "Alias Grace" is a period piece done absolutely perfectly, as it creates and advances great characters, is at the same time a commentary on more contemporary times, and features writing/acting that is top notch.
For a basic plot outline, "Alias Grace" follows the story of Grace Marks (Sarah Gadon), who is held in prison for the charged murder of Nancy Montgomery (Anna Paquin). A psychologist, Dr. Jordan (Edward Holcroft), takes an interest in her case, and decides to interview her to determine if her conviction is legitimate or based on faulty confessions/evidence. Through these interviews, Grace reflects back on much of her past, filling in the backstory until getting to the day of the murder itself.
The main reason "Alias Grace" works so well is because it is just an incredibly written show. What's funny is that the main conceit (Grace being interviewed by Dr. Jordan) might lead one to think that this was a "nuthouse" or prison-centric type of show. While perhaps nominally the guiding path for the show, the real "meat" comes in the story of Grace's life and the events that happen to her over the course of a lifetime, really. Using Margaret Atwood's text, the filmmakers here really paint a visceral picture of what life likely consisted of for women (and men) of that time period. As I said previously, period pieces often have the tendency to "soften around the edges" a bit, but "Alias Grace" pulls no punches. It can be happy and cheerful, but also disturbing and dour.
Another highlight is Gadon's performance as Grace, which is probably award-worthy. While the auxiliary characters are great too, this is Gadon's show to carry, and carry it she does! One can't help but get swept away in her saga, as she displays such a wide range of emotions and actions from beginning to end.
I won't spoil any details here, but let me just say this: For the first five episodes, "Alias Grace" is an 8-star, "very good" type of show. The final (sixth) episode vaults it into 10/10 "excellent" status. That finale is one of the best single episodes of television I've seen since "The Leftovers" left the airwaves. It literally had me on the edge of my seat, with my jaw ajar when the final credits rolled.
Final verdict: Another step in the right direction (and a big one!) for Netflix Original programming, on the heels of "Mindhunter" and "Stranger Things S2". Netflix has show in the past year that it can "play with the big boys" when it comes to original programming, and that's a net win for appreciators of quality scripted television as well.
For a basic plot outline, "Alias Grace" follows the story of Grace Marks (Sarah Gadon), who is held in prison for the charged murder of Nancy Montgomery (Anna Paquin). A psychologist, Dr. Jordan (Edward Holcroft), takes an interest in her case, and decides to interview her to determine if her conviction is legitimate or based on faulty confessions/evidence. Through these interviews, Grace reflects back on much of her past, filling in the backstory until getting to the day of the murder itself.
The main reason "Alias Grace" works so well is because it is just an incredibly written show. What's funny is that the main conceit (Grace being interviewed by Dr. Jordan) might lead one to think that this was a "nuthouse" or prison-centric type of show. While perhaps nominally the guiding path for the show, the real "meat" comes in the story of Grace's life and the events that happen to her over the course of a lifetime, really. Using Margaret Atwood's text, the filmmakers here really paint a visceral picture of what life likely consisted of for women (and men) of that time period. As I said previously, period pieces often have the tendency to "soften around the edges" a bit, but "Alias Grace" pulls no punches. It can be happy and cheerful, but also disturbing and dour.
Another highlight is Gadon's performance as Grace, which is probably award-worthy. While the auxiliary characters are great too, this is Gadon's show to carry, and carry it she does! One can't help but get swept away in her saga, as she displays such a wide range of emotions and actions from beginning to end.
I won't spoil any details here, but let me just say this: For the first five episodes, "Alias Grace" is an 8-star, "very good" type of show. The final (sixth) episode vaults it into 10/10 "excellent" status. That finale is one of the best single episodes of television I've seen since "The Leftovers" left the airwaves. It literally had me on the edge of my seat, with my jaw ajar when the final credits rolled.
Final verdict: Another step in the right direction (and a big one!) for Netflix Original programming, on the heels of "Mindhunter" and "Stranger Things S2". Netflix has show in the past year that it can "play with the big boys" when it comes to original programming, and that's a net win for appreciators of quality scripted television as well.
Great storytelling but disappointing end
The series is great until the very end, when they rushed it and pretty much ruined everything by leaving no satisfactory conclusion nor resolution. I loved the main character, she makes such a great psycho on moments with her comments. Her storytelling is compelling, like Scheherazade she's buying her time seducing the listener. Pity the ending was not a bit more meaningful.
- paradajzlost
- Apr 17, 2021
- Permalink
Absorbing and thoughtful adaptation of the feminist classic novel
- danaelambros
- Oct 27, 2017
- Permalink
Pains me to give this a 6.
Very well written and brilliantly acted. Sarah Gadon is amazing. The story was told in an interesting way, and Grace's journey made me uncomfortable and tense quite often. That is until the last couple of episodes. All tension went away, things all of sudden appear rushed/forced, especially the last episode.
Could have been a 10/10. Worth watching though.
Could have been a 10/10. Worth watching though.
An Amazing Story with An Amazing Cast
I found this wonderful series by accident on Netflix. When I saw that Sarah Gadon was staring in it I knew I had to watch it. I have loved watching her movies since I saw her in Cosmopolis. When I saw the great director David Cronenberg was acting in it too. I knew I had to watch. I was not disappointed.
The story was very compelling and kept my interested through out the series. I have to say I would recommend this to anyone that like a crime, historical, or mystery type movie.
The story was very compelling and kept my interested through out the series. I have to say I would recommend this to anyone that like a crime, historical, or mystery type movie.
- lilacfieldsforever
- Nov 24, 2017
- Permalink
Nice, but slow and not clear ending
A little bit slow and not really clear ending.
Acting is good and I really like the characters
The unreliable narrator genre, done great
- anaguiterres
- Feb 9, 2019
- Permalink
Superb series with a worse ending than GoT
Many good things until the end
There are many good things about this, especially in the first half. The characters are well played. In the end, however, I was unsatisfied. It was as if there was a rush to be done with it all. Not a lot of depth in the last couple of episodes.
Great show!
- dawnfreese
- Oct 20, 2017
- Permalink
Amazing Grace
Very much like in her "Handmaid's Tale" Margaret Atwood's heroin Grace is an intelligent low class woman that know better what she should say or not for the sack of her survival. Truth is given in small doses, and with lots of compassion poured in to the naive Dr's ears .He who is so eager to help yet so blind to the exploitation and abuse of working class woman.
Grace inner voice is strong and true. Also she has no control over her life, she is not broken. I often think that is the greatest sin of woman of her kind in the eyes of society.
Grace inner voice is strong and true. Also she has no control over her life, she is not broken. I often think that is the greatest sin of woman of her kind in the eyes of society.
Good, but I wanted it to be better....
Great atmospheric period piece. I stuck with all of the episodes, though it was a little slow at times in the middle section. Exploring women during the 1800s - what it means to be feminine, what constitutes mental illness, how a female may (or may not have) committed a murder and why - those are all very interesting topics. The series spends a lot of time in the psychology of it with conversations between Grace and the doctor charged with deciding if she's still a danger to society. But because Grace has reasons to hold back her feelings and memories, she's a bit of an unreliable narrator, and I do find that hard to feel things for a main character who may or may not be telling the truth, because you don't know what's genuine and what's not.
A great novel makes an excellent mini-series
- steiner-sam
- Jun 16, 2021
- Permalink
Loved all but the last episode
The last episode ruined it for me - I loved the series otherwise - and it made me regret having wasted time watching it. I don't mind when a series leaves you guessing at the end - Sopranos for example. But this ending was so confusing, in so many respects. The doctor banging the landlady (on the hard floor, both fully clothed) and then horribly insulting her immediately upon conclusion - what did that have to do with anything, and what was the point. (I didn't mark this as a spoiler, because, as I said, it had nothing to do with anything.) And several other similar idiotic incidents which I won't cite, to avoid spoining.
- raydenenberg
- Nov 25, 2020
- Permalink
Underrated
Very underrated mini series
Should be more than 8.5
- alaa_biology
- Jul 9, 2019
- Permalink
Wait for it, wait for it. Oh wait, nothing's going to happen.
I am somewhat sate of all these flashy trailers that leave me breathing air through my mouth and then i realize i've fallen for the same old marketing trick.
Like many others that probably watched this show, i myself have not read the book, nor do i intend to because it just leaves me questioning so many different aspects of this book/show that i never thought i would be questioning.
What i expected was a psychologically disturbed pathological liar that got away with killing and manipulating more than five people in her favor, what i got was a bible study of the feminist mind and her hot 50 year old master. He is hot, stop denying it.
The last two episodes should or could have been so much more but they never culminated for me it just went up, up and then down down and flatlined.
I have the feeling we are probably missing a lot of backstory. Nevertheless i think the show was good...maybe. Let's leave it to god shall we?
Like many others that probably watched this show, i myself have not read the book, nor do i intend to because it just leaves me questioning so many different aspects of this book/show that i never thought i would be questioning.
What i expected was a psychologically disturbed pathological liar that got away with killing and manipulating more than five people in her favor, what i got was a bible study of the feminist mind and her hot 50 year old master. He is hot, stop denying it.
The last two episodes should or could have been so much more but they never culminated for me it just went up, up and then down down and flatlined.
I have the feeling we are probably missing a lot of backstory. Nevertheless i think the show was good...maybe. Let's leave it to god shall we?
- nickmorgenstern
- Jan 8, 2018
- Permalink
When women's rights or feminism is approached correctly
This series turned out to be a real surprise for me. I had expected to get bored. However, it was definitely a valuable piece with strong script elements and subtext, meticulously woven plot, engaging the audience, making them think.
Although the series may appear to be a crime thriller, mystery, and detective story, it's anything but. These are merely costumes and masks worn by the true narrative.
In one way or another, there isn't a single woman in the series who is completely happy and peaceful. They all experience some form of oppression or persecution from men and society. I believe that feminism and the empowerment of women are often misunderstood and diluted in today's society. In my opinion, the true essence of feminism should be to understand exactly what women are up against, what they experience, and what they have had to normalize.
Alongside that, the second most powerful aspect of the narrative is its focus on reality and interpersonal dynamics. In fact, the series is essentially about two people talking, one narrating her story, and both reflecting upon it. While watching, you can't simply accept anything said at face value; you're constantly compelled to question the purpose behind it.
Besides the storyline, the performances, stage designs, and ambiance of the era are, in my opinion, already topics that don't even need further discussion. In these aspects as well, I believe no viewer would have any complaints.
Although the series may appear to be a crime thriller, mystery, and detective story, it's anything but. These are merely costumes and masks worn by the true narrative.
In one way or another, there isn't a single woman in the series who is completely happy and peaceful. They all experience some form of oppression or persecution from men and society. I believe that feminism and the empowerment of women are often misunderstood and diluted in today's society. In my opinion, the true essence of feminism should be to understand exactly what women are up against, what they experience, and what they have had to normalize.
Alongside that, the second most powerful aspect of the narrative is its focus on reality and interpersonal dynamics. In fact, the series is essentially about two people talking, one narrating her story, and both reflecting upon it. While watching, you can't simply accept anything said at face value; you're constantly compelled to question the purpose behind it.
Besides the storyline, the performances, stage designs, and ambiance of the era are, in my opinion, already topics that don't even need further discussion. In these aspects as well, I believe no viewer would have any complaints.
- averagedeveloper
- May 11, 2024
- Permalink
Well made, but dull and uninspired.
Most of the seven stars I've given this are for the excellent period detail, cinematography, and production design, which helped keep me watching when the endless scenes of sewing started to become wearisome.
This piece is slow-moving. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, if the dialogue is top-notch and the directing assured. Here, unfortunately, we are treated to scene after scene of two people sitting in a room while one talks (and sews, and sews, and sews) and the other listens. This gives way to a voice-over which narrates the central storyline in the form of flashbacks - an uninspired device which also tests ones patience after a while.
If the story was gripping, or at least told with more inspired directing, it would be a rewarding experience, as it is certainly very well made. Unfortunately, each flashback lasts just long enough to begin to arouse one's interest before lurching awkwardly back to the talking and the sewing - effectively destroying any build-up of tension.
Sadly, one thing that seriously challenged my ability to become immersed was the casting of Anna Paquin, whose facial gurning and increasing resemblance to Val Kilmer (as both their faces grow ever wider) was distracting, and her ill-fitting presence made the whole thing feel consciously like a TV show. Overall it's worth a watch, but could be so much better with more inspired writing and directing.
This piece is slow-moving. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, if the dialogue is top-notch and the directing assured. Here, unfortunately, we are treated to scene after scene of two people sitting in a room while one talks (and sews, and sews, and sews) and the other listens. This gives way to a voice-over which narrates the central storyline in the form of flashbacks - an uninspired device which also tests ones patience after a while.
If the story was gripping, or at least told with more inspired directing, it would be a rewarding experience, as it is certainly very well made. Unfortunately, each flashback lasts just long enough to begin to arouse one's interest before lurching awkwardly back to the talking and the sewing - effectively destroying any build-up of tension.
Sadly, one thing that seriously challenged my ability to become immersed was the casting of Anna Paquin, whose facial gurning and increasing resemblance to Val Kilmer (as both their faces grow ever wider) was distracting, and her ill-fitting presence made the whole thing feel consciously like a TV show. Overall it's worth a watch, but could be so much better with more inspired writing and directing.
- kitellis-98121
- Jul 8, 2018
- Permalink
Started off good, but then dived off a cliff fast
- goodiegirl1707
- Dec 30, 2018
- Permalink
wonderful so far
although they've much improved, i always was a bit disappointed in Canadian productions but this is first class...from my humble perspective...i'm impressed with it's sophistication and intelligence...lots of soul.... cheers to the actors and those built into the foundation of this lovely tapestry.....go Canada..........now please don't tell me it's really an American production :):)
- yancovitch
- Sep 24, 2017
- Permalink
beautifully told riveting true story