Anonymous wrote:I can't stand Madeline's younger daughter. She's supposed to be a 1st grader, correct?
I have a 1st grader who I and most others consider to be well-spoken and mature for her age (only child syndrome), and she's a baby compared to this character. No 6-7yo talks that way. I'd guess her more 10-11.
And NO teacher would have handled that situation that way.
Anonymous wrote:That scene in the therapists office with Nicole Kidman tonight. Just wow! Amazing.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Madeline seems like a caricature rather than a character. It's like a chick-lit type (Hello! Fashionable woman here with a Strooooooooong personality) is plopped down in the middle of an HBO show.
Yeah but it's exactly how she's written in the book - Reese has nailed her character.
I used to be a huge Nicole Kidman fan - she's a brilliant actress and has several Oscar-worthy performances under her belt (plus I think she actually won one, right?). But her face no longer moves, and that really limits her as an actress. Though in a way it works for her character here, who is totally shut down with a flat affect and trying to maintain the perfect exterior - like a mask. But still...there's only so far she can go when she literally cannot move her face.
I disagree because the character is so different than in the book. She has a strong personality, to be sure, but she's also distinctly different than many of the other moms. Maddie and Ed are solid middle class, Ed is a journalist and doesn't make a lot of money, she probably has to work for the income. I think she feels a bit insecure about that, but is relatively fine being on the edge of the cool/rich mom crowd. Plus she's so frustrated that her daughter is turning into a mini-Bonnie (vegan, crunchy, etc).
Can't stand Nicole Kidman as Celeste. I read Celeste as being distant but warm and kind to others. Nicole as Celeste is an ice queen.
I agree that Reese Witherspoon's portrayal of Madeleine is very different. I found Madeleine much more likable in the book - yes, she is a busybody but I think the way the character is written in the miniseries is much more of a bitch.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I'd hold off reading the book at this point until the series is over. I mentioned above that I'm glad I read the book some time ago so I can enjoy the HBO version without the constant comparisons to the book. There's a good bit of differences.
You always have to go with book first. Always.
Your mind will create the visual images for you.
When you read the book first you are just seeing the actors/actresses and visuals presented to you in film.
I've never once found a movie or show to be better than a book.
The movie Devil Wears Prada was better than the book.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:That scene in the therapists office with Nicole Kidman tonight. Just wow! Amazing.
Yes. I agree. So real.
Anonymous wrote:That scene in the therapists office with Nicole Kidman tonight. Just wow! Amazing.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I loved tonight's episode. #3
All the acting was spot-on.
It was the best so far.
I loved the Gleetwood Macand Meil Young music selections.

Anonymous wrote:I loved tonight's episode. #3
All the acting was spot-on.
It was the best so far.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anyone else read the book when it was released and now can't remember it as you watch the show? :-0
I read it when it first came out, just a random selection off the shelf I think. LOVED it. Devoured it perhaps a little too quickly because I can't remember the story and characters much at all!
I read it long enough ago that I'm really enjoying the HBO version without fussing that it's not as good or the same as the book. Win win.
I do feel that the female leads have been cast perfectly.
Anonymous wrote:Anyone else read the book when it was released and now can't remember it as you watch the show? :-0
I read it when it first came out, just a random selection off the shelf I think. LOVED it. Devoured it perhaps a little too quickly because I can't remember the story and characters much at all!
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I'd hold off reading the book at this point until the series is over. I mentioned above that I'm glad I read the book some time ago so I can enjoy the HBO version without the constant comparisons to the book. There's a good bit of differences.
You always have to go with book first. Always.
Your mind will create the visual images for you.
When you read the book first you are just seeing the actors/actresses and visuals presented to you in film.
I've never once found a movie or show to be better than a book.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I'd hold off reading the book at this point until the series is over. I mentioned above that I'm glad I read the book some time ago so I can enjoy the HBO version without the constant comparisons to the book. There's a good bit of differences.
You always have to go with book first. Always.
Your mind will create the visual images for you.
When you read the book first you are just seeing the actors/actresses and visuals presented to you in film.
I've never once found a movie or show to be better than a book.