- Release Date : 25 October 2020
- Genre : Mystery, Psychological, Thriller
- Language : English
The Undoing
Cast:
Nicole Kidman (Grace Fraser), Hugh Grant (Jonathan Fraser), Noah Jupe (Henry Fraser), Donald Sutherland (Franklin Reinhart), Lily Rabe (Sylvia Steineitz)
Let’s face it, we’ve all been charmed by Hugh Grant many a times, and this time won’t be an exception. Eminent children’s cancer doctor and magnanimous personality, Jonathan Fraser (Grant) is married to the equally successful and enchanting psychologist Grace Fraser (Kidman).The rich and famous couple live in Manhattan, where their son goes to an expensive and elite school, and they hobnob with, you guessed it, rich and elitist friends.
Despite their social standing, and maybe even due to it, the Frasers are kindhearted generous people who are madly in love and are living a perfect life. The show establishes this very early on, and the first episode makes you wonder what could possibly go wrong in their picturesque world. This notion is quickly dismissed from our minds as the story unfolds, and the Fraser’s perfect life and marriage begin to crumble. When one of the mothers at Noah’s school is found brutally murdered, the needle of suspicion swings back and forth between Grace and Jonathan. On the one hand we have child oncologist Jonathan, a lovable, affable personality, and an esteemed member of society. And on the other Grace, who true to her name is a graceful, kind, and compassionate individual and a gifted psychologist. Viewers are left to deduce who the culprit is, and within this husband wife quandary lies the real thrill of the show.
Nicole Kidman essays the role of Grace Fraser, a soft spoken, gorgeous psychologist who spends much of her time walking around the city of Manhattan to clear her head. Undoubtedly one of the most talented actresses in Hollywood, one wonders why devastating events around her only evoke a tiny pout or shake of the head, kindhearted Grace though she might be. Several times during the series you want to grab her by the shoulders and say, “By God, Woman!” when her life starts to unravel. Noah Jupe’s Henry Fraser might remind viewers of his character in “A Quiet Place”. With his wide, innocent eyes and natural acting chops, he’s a young talent to watch out for. Hugh Grant’s Jonathan Fraser is the perfect husband and father with a self-deprecating wit, a Godlike contributor to society who cures children of cancer and is the epitome of benevolence, or is he?
The cinematography is brilliant; Grace’s habit of strolling around pre pandemic Manhattan in the glorious fall season provides us with beautiful cityscapes of The Big Apple. It makes you wish you lived in New York too, and could just stroll about the city whenever you fancied it. However, the nonchalance with which she walks the streets after nightfall is baffling, given its reputation for mugging and her lack of self-awareness. Her midnight jaunts there look contrived just to make her a suspect. The detectives working the case seem far too prejudiced and heavy handed with Grace and John – two pillars of society.
This television adaptation of Jean Hanff Korelitz’s novel “You Should Have Known” star studded cast and keeps you on your toes, but the niggling false notes prevent it from being one of the greats in the thriller genre.
Disclaimer: The above review solely illustrates the views of the writer.