EUyeshima

It's unfortunate that Meghan Markle's partnership with Netflix has produced such an abysmal, pretentious program under the guise of an eight-part lifestyle series. Much of the challenge comes from the contrived persona the producers are trying to formulate in presenting Meghan as a down-to-earth young wife and mother when we know she has been surrounded by royal entitlement and social privilege. That's why it's less than convincing to see her doling out culinary advice and helpful homemaking hints like a SoCal version of Fixer Upper's Joanna Gaines but on Ina Garten's inflated Hamptons-level budget, all without having the credentials of either. From the episodes I viewed, she entertains a predisposed guest, bowls the person over with her renaissance interests (beekeeping and candle-making in the first episode), culinary mastery, and disarming, one-of-us charm. It all comes across as disingenuous as if she's hawking a personal brand of her own invention.

There is no other actress who could've played the title role with such fervent theatrical flourish and deep emotional conviction in this small-scale 2024 drama. Jessica Lange has built up her stage credentials to match her significant screen accomplishments, so at 75, she is perfectly cast as a theatrical legend in the autumn of her career starring in a revival of Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard". At the same time, she is diagnosed to be in the early stages of dementia. Forgetting her lines at rehearsals and increasingly confused about the world around her, Lillian copes with trying to live up to her own lofty expectations as well as defrosting a contrived relationship with her daughter whose resentment threatens to untether their shaky connection. A sturdy supporting cast surrounds Lange with expert assurance: Kathy Bates predictably cast as Lillian's no-nonsense assistant, Lily Rabe as the forgotten daughter, Jesse Williams as the patient young director, Pierce Brosnan as a convenient neighbor, and Cindy Hogan as the sharp-tongued mercenary producer. There were moments that seemed too on-the-nose to be dramatically effective like an impromptu mother-daughter duet of "Mockingbird", but Lange somehow transcends it all with her unique virtuosity.

There's a genuine unforced chemistry between Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield in director John Crowley's 2024 romantic drama. Somehow through the deliberate time jumping approach of the screenplay by Nick Payne, the vibrant actors manage to tread thoughtfully through moments both poignant and contrived. The tragedy-filled premise is familiar from any number of doomed romance soap operas ever since "Love Story". At the center of the sudsy story is a young couple, Tobias (Garfield) and Almut (Pugh), who are forced to deal with the return of Almut's ovarian cancer. After meeting through a driving mishap, then getting married, and raising a young daughter, they debate over how aggressive they should be in seeking medical treatment when Almut has a passion to leave her mark as a world class chef through a renowned European culinary competition. Piecing together the chronology of the predictable plot elements was the most challenging aspect of viewing the film, yet the charismatic leads help us get to the finish line with conviction.