Series Review: Marianne. Director: Samuel Bodin.
The witty Dr. House said, "it is not that people change, they just take off their masks". In the 21st century where mankind wears literal as well as figurative masks, the era referred to in the Hindu culture as 'Kaliyuga', where the emptiest of vessels succeed whereas cups filled to the brim await longingly and yearningly to be held at the cusps of lips, the era of ''hype culture'', Dr. House's bon mot definitely rings a bell. This is precisely the reason why people cling to childhood. The time where open statements rather than prevarications could be made with ease, a time where ''yes'' was openly said rather than an accismus, and affection was a way of life rather than affectation. It is because of this that people forget their memories of college education, but the memories made in school are etched in our hearts for good.
However, Emma Larsimon, a resident of Elden, France leaves her hometown for boarding school, makes her way to the glamorous Paris and is known as a writer of repute. She lives in the present, and is diligent about one thing: never looking back. She is a writer of horror stories, where the heroine, her namesake defeats the witch Marianne and emerges victorious. She wins over the hearts of multitudes of her target audience, until one day at a book signing ceremony, her childhood friend, Ms. Daugeron turns up and supplicates her to stop writing because her mother, Madame Daugeron has started to behave like Marianne and is inflicting horrors in Elden. Only the real Emma Larsimon can defeat Marianne. For doing that, she has to do only one thing: to visit Elden to confront Marianne's new form: Madame Daugeron.
Many eminent figures from diverse pursuits have laid down tenets, laws, rules and principles galore, but the one law that seems to govern the real Emma Larsimon's life is ''what you resist, perisits''. She had to do the very things that she resolved she would never do, she avoided her hometown so much that it kept chasing her. Emma's visit to Elden leads her to face many horrors that anyone would rather not.
'Marianne' streaming on Netflix makes its mark as compared to other horror shows in its humor. The most spine-chilling moments on the show have a cutting edge dark humor, so as to make it more relevant with the younger audience.Only in that, it resembles any of Stephen King's novel adaptations. The series is not based on any book, which makes the concept original and authentic. 'Marianne' received a lot of appreciation worldwide, but the French audience did not embody that sentiment which is why the show would not be renewed for its second season. The audience can only pray for a miracle.
Spanning over eight episodes, each episode ranging to about 50 to 60 minutes, 'Marianne' is an addictive horror thriller that is young in nature, novel in content and relevant to the current escapist generation. While 'Ares', a Dutch horror mini-series streaming on Netflix
(read the review here: https://bff-anewdimension.blogspot.com/2020/07/series-review-ares-directors-giancarlo.html) revolves around power and the desire for it, 'Marianne' is mainly about chaos and confrontation, and on a deeper level, it is about friendship, sacrifice, seeking and striving for fulfillment from the self as well as coming to terms with and accepting the past. 'Marianne' is unmissable because it connects. Even though Emma Larsimon may have tasted all the tangible success, deep down she is a good-hearted maverick but still empty, non-confrontational, escapist and traumatized. Emma Larsimon is a typical modern day girl having no super-powers, and that is her greatest strength. To showcase all of this in a mere eight episodes is a mammoth feat which the director, Samuel Bodin has successfully accomplished.
The opening music of the show is short, catchy and the one the audience would not want to skip. The show is very French and has some classic smug French jokes, wine and the very beautiful looking French people. The tempo of the show is fast, and not a moment is useless, the background music is sombre and incites fear. The breath-taking city of Elden is amazingly captured, and the performances of all the cast members are great, but the decorated and robustly experienced Merille Herbstmeyer, who plays the possessed Madame Daugeron is wonderful and deserves a special mention.
Overall, 'Marianne' is completely binge-worthy and a treat for horror aficionados. It is a perfect fit for a Netflix watch party with friends. The show is fit for a mature family audience, provided that all family members are adults and all can deal with a few innuendos and some lewdity together sans awkwardness. It is a fantastic binge-watch for a mother-daughter duo, as well. 'Marianne' entertains and awakens. It should not be missed.
MY TAKE: 9/10.
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Very well written Radhika, surely it is a given that your writing skills have be honed since the first time you wrote your blog, keep it up!
ReplyDeleteIt's indeed a very nice series and you have covered all its attributes , I felt like watching one more time with all minute details you mentioned. Very well written
ReplyDeleteIt's an excellent piece of " review write up " since 8t covers all that one would like to know before deciding whether to watch the show or not. I don't see any bias in any aspect although you are always entitled to your opinion.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up and let more and more of your writing bless us.