Le Garçon et l'Univers

I'm pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this series. Bow Swallows Universe is adapted from a best selling novel from Trent Dalton. It takes place in Brisbane, Australia. We follow the story of Eli Bell and his family. His family is a mess, he has a brother who rarely talks, a mother who's on and off junkie, a stepfather who deals heroin, and an absent father. But even though there's a lot of pain and sadness there is also a lot of love and redemption. This is actually a feel good story that I couldn't stop watching. I binged all seven episodes in two days. I'll be surprised if this series doesn't get nominated for multiple awards.

Boy Swallows Universe is limited series on Netflix about a family living in the suburbs of Australia and their lives are ruined due to drug trade gone bad. The story is based on the 1980's with a combination of great music from that era. The series follows two young boys Eli and his mute brother Gus Bell. They lose their parents to divorce and later their mother played by Phoebe Tonkin serves time for a crime she didn't commit. Their stepfather played by Travis Fimmel ends up getting captured by a mobster played by Ivan Kroll who is played by Christopher James Baker. Eli's life spirals out of control and fate keeps obstacles in his way, including a legendary business/drug lord Tytus Broz who is played by Anthony LaPaglia. This is one of the best adapted screenplay written by Trent Dalton to be made into a series with a great Aussie cast that also included Simon Baker who played the boys' father, Bryan Brown as Slim, and Adam Briggs. You will love this series, it was well written, beautiful cast, and with great direction.

1985 in Australia under the Queensland blistering sun and a suburb forgotten by prosperity, as young Eli Bell navigates the game of survival in a dysfunctional family that falls prey to the seedy underbelly of crime and police corruption. Sounds like a bleak crime thriller, but the characters make it a joy to watch.

From Lyle Orlik embodied by Travis Fimmel (best performance since Vikings), to Bryon Brown as the wise elder, and even Simon Baker as the drunken father, these are absolute true Australian larrikins of a bygone era.

But this series would not have worked if wasn't for Felix Cameron, very impressive as Eli, and it is this standout performance that is pivotal to the whole series coming together for this dark surreal thriller that dishes out bogan-ocker philosophy in all its funny wisdom...

I needed a new series to warm me up during our literal arctic blast, so an Aussie one seemed a good idea. It was BRILLIANT!

As an American, I am well acquainted with Brian Brown, Anthony LaPaglia, Simon Baker, and the always incomparable Deborah Mailman. The other cast members, while new to me, will be ones that I will be on the look-out for from now on. The young Eli reminded me of a young Heath Ledger and made me smile - a lot - as did his brother Gus. OMG!!

I truly wish I had read the book before seeing the series. As usual, some scenes need a suspension of belief. The things I would have missed in the book are the paintings we were treated to in this. Outstanding! Beyond creative. And something that drew me into the story even more.

This series is "feel good" all the way around, with some violence here and there. Not always deserved, but that's life isn't it?

I hope you enjoy this series half as much as I did!! If you're a reader, I'd recommend you read the book first!!

Thank you, Australia!

At the beginning, I had no high expectations - but it was unbelievably good! Truly a series for binge-watching. Initially, you think, okay, another gangster series about drugs and gangs, but that's not the case.

The story is incredibly diverse, containing elements of action, mystery, drama, thriller, love, and yet it doesn't feel overloaded or dull. The series has depth. Additionally, the characters, the story, the acting performance = terrific.

I think it gets even more exciting and complex towards the middle, and there's a twist in the story that you don't expect.

Please watch it - it's so worth it.