Das lügenhafte Leben der Erwachsenen

This series provides a rare opportunity to experience something real while watching Netflix.

You will find complex characters that develop, rather than resolve; moral dilemmas that are not black and white; a study on hypocrisy; theme of forgiveness/moving on/acceptance of humanity in all its flawed glory.. and all of it is set against the backdrop of grimy, sketchy Naples in the 90s - which looks pretty much opposite to the "eat-pray-love" kind of Italy.

Each episode was thought provoking for multiple reasons, and I devoured the series the way I devour cold coconut water on a hot summer day.

I docked a star for the horrendous musical score.

I have never read the novel by Elena Ferrante, so i can not make a direct comparison.

The series starts slowly, almost plotless. The story is not eventful, but it's the characterization and the development of the characters the real aim. The personal growth, the come of age, the discovery of the world is perfectly told in this raw, true and beautifully shot depiction on the background of an enchanting, then haunted Naples.

Valeria Golino's performance is astonishing and the rest of the cast is not of any less.

A small pearl to watch and appreciate on its own regardless the book, as a deep representation of human beings and their relationships.

Transferring Elena Ferrante's books onto the screen is not an easy endeavour; they are not plot driven stories, actually the plot is at times so thin to be barely perceivable. There's a lot of soul searching, introspection, her prose is harsh as sandpaper, her characters are flawed, tormented (and sometimes tormenting) people. All these - and many more - fine ingredients conjure up pretty unique and atmospheric ambiences. And, as I said, transferring this complex bundle of intangible elements into a movie is hard.

The operation has worked wonderfully once already (with The Lost Daughter, with a superb Olivia Colman) and it is working partially in The Lying Life Of The Adults. The are several remarkable things in this production: the acting is pretty good across the board and it succeeds in bring to life a gallery of strong characters. The portrayal of Naples is very realistic, never falling into clichés of caricatures. And finally, the underlying feeling of uneasiness which pervades the story is rendered very well.

On the less positive side, a good editing would have cut down significantly this production to 4 episodes max. Lastly, I thought the presence of the soundtrack was rather intrusive, it was one song after the other, and I found it detracted from the pensiveness of some situations.

A masterpiece that represents the life of an adolescent in the context of Naples in the 90ties. The characters are beatifully cast in this multilayer drama in which different theme's in a fascinating way are connected. The coming of age, the tensions between social classes, family conflicts against a background of various aspects of the architecture of Naples, from villa's at the beach till depressing industry compounds. Never a dull moment. If you like Italy and the culture you ate well served. But don't expect an ameticanlike fast food movie with unilineair characters and easy digesting storylines. But if you are ready gor this Italian experience you will not be disappointed.

The Lying Life of Adults is a masterful series that captivates audiences with its intricate storytelling and beautifully crafted characters. The show's attention to detail and stunning visuals create a cinematic experience that is both captivating and thought-provoking. This is a must-see for fans of great storytelling and top-notch cinematography.

The cinematography of the show is simply stunning, with the clever use of wind, leaves, and light to convey a wide range of emotions. The objects in each scene are carefully chosen to express the characters' desires, deception, and hunger, adding another layer of depth to the already richly drawn world of the series. Overall, The Lying Life of Adults is a triumph of storytelling and filmmaking that should not be missed by anyone who appreciates the art of visual storytelling.