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Ok so I finished this pretty quickly. I can’t tell if I’m just not getting it or if the intense hype around this + the crazy viewership made me expect too much. This show was for sure good, but to me it really was not outstanding.
I’ll start with what worked well: it moved really rapidly, episodes flew by, which I think iis a testament to Frank’s strong directing. The crafts were also top-notch. It’s a great ensemble with the standout being, yes, Marielle Heller, who is fantastic in a supporting role. I also quite enjoyed Bill Camp, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Harry Melling and Moses Ingram.
and then, my qualms. The show move’s fast and I was never bored, but I also didn’t really seem to get what it was building towards or even what the point was? I had assumed the series was based on a true story before watching, only to learn it was just a novel, and not to say that Harmon didn’t face obstacles throughout the series, but her genius/protege trajectory felt so easy and kinda lacking in any grit, like she was an adult Matilda. The sequence of it all felt so predictable, which is fine, but then is this anything more than a really well-made sports movie? I understand there is some beauty and subtlety in the journey of a lonely woman and finding family, but even that didn’t feel particularly inspired or new to me.
And then, of course, there’s Taylor Joy, and I did not expect myself to feel the same as forwardswill after seeing all the praise for her performance, but I echo it wholeheartedly. Something about it just…doesn’t work for me. And perhaps bingeing Corrin last week made for an unfair comparison, but her internal work just didn’t really seem to come through. I will say she was growing on me by the end so maybe I’d feel better about the performance on a second watch.
But, all that to say, I did like the show quite a bit, it’s just gonna hurt to see it beat I May Destroy You over the course of the season.
ReplyCopy URLAnd then, of course, there’s Taylor Joy, and I did not expect myself to feel the same as forwardswill after seeing all the praise for her performance, but I echo it wholeheartedly. Something about it just…doesn’t work for me. And perhaps bingeing Corrin last week made for an unfair comparison, but her internal work just didn’t really seem to come through. I will say she was growing on me by the end so maybe I’d feel better about the performance on a second watch.
She is noticeably better (and has better material) in the final two episodes, which kind of won me over. But still, there are at least 10 performances eligible for limited lead actress at the globes which I found better than Anya’s.
ReplyCopy URLFYC: Danielle Deadwyler, Best Actress in a Leading Role
One of the best series. It was refreshing to see a show that doesn’t have to push physical/sexual violence as a narrative. And the the production design? Just beautiful in every detail.
ATJ’s performance was STUNNING! From an introvert+awkward to a confident mature woman, you could see her transformation in every episode. That’s what I call character development. IMO the best perrformance of the year.
Also, a solid cast.
ReplyCopy URLI zipped through this binge fairly quickly, and by the end, I genuinely wanted more episodes. Longstanding fan of savant/prodigy narratives and rousing sports films, so this was sorta up my alley from the beginning. I’ve never seen chess portrayed with such excitement and precision before now. Like I said previously, the range that Scott Frank displays from “Godless” to “The Queen’s Gambit” is genuinely baller status, and I hope the Emmys properly notice that high level of achievement in directing this fall. Anya Taylor-Joy had such a confidence and steeliness in this role that I couldn’t get enough of watching her, which should at least signal the arrival of a new & fascinating acting discovery. I was immediately drawn into Beth’s story, though maybe there was some “gilding the lily” going on with how perfectly put together she always was with her beautifully coifed red hair & perky period-style dresses. For a troubled, abandoned orphan battling alcoholism and pills addiction, I needed much more “grit” at times, and not saved until the penultimate episode before the stakes were raised and the reality of things finally set in–match losses, burning professional bridges, relationship woes, sickly pallor, etc. I know this wasn’t the “all’s well that ends well” glossy story that Frank & co. were trying to tell, but still. A different trajectory might have had Beth enter some kind of “facility” for medical help, reach a more defined rock bottom before giving in to a higher power and starting the long road to recovery, or the tragic, misunderstood star edit who sadly succumbs to her vices in the final five minutes.
The supporting cast all had solid moments to shine, but the revelation here was Marielle Heller, who I thought only directed and didn’t act at all. I was devastated when her character died off, and I initially thought of Alma as a throwaway role or a clichéd abusive, adoptive mother. The relationship between Beth & Alma was at the core of this work, which really surprised me. Another great acting find was Moses Ingram, who gave me young Danielle Brooks realness as Jolene, Beth’s orphanage friend/confidante. It would have been nice to have more screentime for Jolene, since she brought a nice lift to every scene she was in playing either young or old. I know it wasn’t her series, but as the only diversity here really, I personally wanted to know how Jolene fared after Beth left the orphanage and how she was able to thrive afterwards. I liked the savvy and economical scene where Jolene loaned Beth the money to go to Moscow, basically saying that she’s not her “magical Negro,” but just loaning money to a friend in need that will be paid back later. The supporting men of Beth’s life were fine, I guess. Nothing I’d personally nominate, but I was probably most impressed with Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Benny, who kept Beth on her toes the most, intellectually speaking. Taylor-Joy should be good for Globes & maybe SAGs, but going up against heavyweights like Michaela Coel, Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet, Kate Mara, etc., won’t be easy as the Emmy race becomes more challenging moving forward. Limited/anthology series > lead actress limited series, specifically. Heller making supporting actress would be so deserved. I doubt any supporting actor makes the cut, though Bill Camp is the most recognizable “name” of the men with the smallest part lol. A bigger “name” playing Borgov would have been ripe for a nomination, like Stellan Skarsgård, perhaps. Marcin Dorocinski isn’t known at all, but he was great in every scene he had, especially notable for not taking the ease route of portraying the big, bad Soviet & instead giving Borgov dimensions, humanity, & dignity. Highly recommended viewing regardless, with the standouts being Anya Taylor-Joy & Marielle Heller.
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ReplyCopy URLAnya Taylor-Joy via Twitter: “The Queen’s Gambit 2” pic.twitter.com/Gt95ZZHTF0
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) January 30, 2023
Not me opening this thread thinking people were still fighting over I May Destroy You vs Mare of Easstown vs The Queen’s Gambit vs WandaVision 💀.
ReplyCopy URLFYC: Better Call Saul, The English and The Good Fight in all categories including Emily Blunt, Bob Odenkirk, Christine Baranski and Rhea Seehorn.
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