The Lying Life of Adults

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.

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.

This series is spellbinding. The narrative of coming of age is been done, but not like this series. It's filled with passion, loss, betrayals and pain. Director Angelis takes you on a journey that is exacting in adult hypocrisy concerning life and the chasms of growing up. The aunt played by Valeria Golino, spectacular performance as a jaded woman who lives her life fully but with pain brings her niece played by Giordana Marengo, who by the way is the female Timothy Chalamet brings a freshness to her role as tormented teenage figuring out her loyalties. Netflix did a wonderful job on this one.

When reading Elena Ferrante's books I had a feeling of shame, as I became increasingly conscious of the fact that what I was reading is bad literature well written. The same happens with this series.

Good cinematography, beautiful photography, effective soundtrack, spot on casting. And yet... It doesn't work.

The problem is the backbone of the story, the characters. Why is everyone in this so confused about everything? Like, all the time, constantly confused, tense, lost. Why? Why are the main characters doing what they do? What are their reasons? We don't know and we are not given a chance to know, to understand them at least a bit. We don't learn about them, we just see them being erratic and confused, all of them, all the time during the six episodes the season lasts. Boh.

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.