Black Cake

From the start, I quite liked Black Cake, particularly the first few episodes. The plot is intriguing, it's very well cast, and the significant amount of tension makes it work. The sets, costumes, and cinematography are quite fitting. The ocean scenes in the Caribbean have a lush feel, serving as an effective contrast to the troubled relationships.

But something happened around episode 3. It's when I felt that this series should have been produced in a more compressed form. Rather than 8 episodes, how about 6? I've just finished the 5th episode, and I'm further convinced. The core story seems to be diluted by tangents and extra relationships. There are moments of unintended humor in this episode, because it's veering into soap opera territory. I feel a bit let down. I've not read the novel it's based on, but I would presume the script follows it faithfully. I plan to continue watching the show, but it seems like the producers have somehow missed the mark.

This series is amazing. I almost turned it off because of the first 5 minutes... until I saw actor Glenn Turman. His presence on screen grounded the project for me. As I've watched more and more of the series, I am blown away by the storyline and the series' production value. The entire team has brought forth its 'A game.' If I did have a complaint, I am unsure if the storyline with the two siblings is valuable. Yes, it is valid for a book - not so much for a screen. Every time they were on screen, I wanted to get back to the actual story featuring actress Mia Isaac.

I highly recommend that everyone watch this series.

I didn't know anything about this show except a vague recollection that Oprah had "something to do with it" but didn't know to what degree until I researched a bit on IMDB. I binged all 8 episodes over a long weekend and thoroughly enjoyed the storyline, the cast, characters, and cinematography. I was sorry when the final episode ended. I did not have any trouble following the storylines or empathizing with any of the characters. I very much enjoyed watching so many extremely talented actors bring their complicated characters to life. I will look forward to a potential Season 2. Very well done!

Have an open mind. As someone from the Caribbean this is an amazing show and story. Many of us from African origin have family history that involves boats and stowaways to and from the UK, Portugal and Chinese and Indian of which my wife are all of the above.

Not sure why so many low ratings. The story is engaging and true to life.

Have open mind you might be surprised.

I would give this 10 so far but gave it 8 because I'm only on episode 3.

Hopefully the story telling continues. If I can I will edit this review. I don't post here often but felt compelled to post something positive.

Last year my neighbor explained how she migrated from the island of Dominica to the UK Catholic school to become a registered nurse. She moved back to the Caribbean some 40 years later. There are so many similar stories in this region.

Don't let the majority suppress this gem because it's "different ".

This is a series that I have waited to see. The book was exceptional comprised of a story that was engaging and kept you wanting more. The series fleshes out the characters, extremely well, and unbelievably, rivals the book. Mia Isaac is beautiful, very talented, and she adds a layer to the teleplay that is exceptional. I especially enjoyed the costuming, because it was very much within the period that the story is set in. The way that Eleanor's hair is styled is truly a throwback from the era that I haven't seen accomplished this well in many other movies, and the settings, London and Scotland, are a beautiful canvas for a very beautiful story. There have been many books written by and about people of color in the last few years, and I have read many of them, but this is the first one that I found that was truly a good book and movie, that has not been hyped simply because it was written by a person of color. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the telling of a good story.

I must add this addendum to my review for the simple reason that the ending of Black Cake was extremely disappointing. I don't like to make up an ending that should have been, and although I had given this series a ten, I changed it to a seven strictly based on the fact that the ending was very unfulfilling.