Conversations with Friends

Because it was never trying to be. Not really sure about the low ratings. This isn't a masterpiece by any stretch, but there's a lot here that people just aren't seeing, or aren't bothered to.

First off, the entire point of the story in the book is that Frances and Nick struggle desperately to express themselves properly. It's what makes their conversational interactions awkward whereas their physical interactions are where they feel more comfortable. I'm not sure how people are claiming this is "unrealistic" or "bland". I mean sure, real people can be bland at times but if you don't dare to look beyond the surface, why are you even bothering with this? Either way, they are certainly not unrealistic. The way the show depicts Frances and Nick's frustrations in expressing themselves is how it was in the book and how it is for many people in reality. In that sense then I completely disagree with the criticism that they were miscast. Both actors did entirely what was required of them as characters. If you find that boring then okay, you're entitled to your opinion but again I'm not sure how you can call it a fault on the writer's part.

I think the performances are delicate and detailed, and just like Normal People it feels real. Although that's the only comparison I'd dare to make between the two shows, because as I said one was never trying to be the other. If you believe CWF was true to its novel then the criticism makes no sense anyway, seeing as though the book of CWF was written before NP. So wouldn't that make NP the copycat?

I agree 12 episodes can feel a bit exhausting after a while but that's the problem these days with streaming especially - everyone watching this show is probably trying to binge it in a day - when it's obviously going to be far more impactful if you take your time with it.

Relax, watch a few episodes at a time, and don't be thinking about Normal People when you watch because thematically, this is not that.

I eventually got around to watching "Normal People", like everyone else, a year to two ago and I enjoyed it. Conventional wisdom is, I think, that this adaptation of Sally Rooney's debut novel, from the same production team isn't quite as good - but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Frances (Alison Oliver) and Bobbi (Sasha Lane) are best friends, formally a couple, who are studying in Dublin. They meet Melissa (Jemima Kirke) a published author and are drawn into her social circle. Melissa introduces them to Nick (Joe Alwyn), her husband, and Frances begins an affair with him. The relationships between all four are complicated and are worsened when Bobbi learns about the relationship.

I don't think I can defend the show from the accusation that it's pretty slow going. Not an awful lot actually happens over its 12 thirty-minute episodes, but there's lots of quiet longing, passive aggressiveness and people not explaining themselves. That lack of talking is what drives the plot, as you might imagine, as it a couple of reveals across the shows length that threaten to drive wedges between the relationships involved. I didn't mind it, but I can understand if the lack of momentum shook people off.

The performances are unquestionable good though. I've seen three of the central quartet before, but this is Alison Oliver's debut, and she does really well in a role that requires quite a bit of her. There are sex scenes, but I mean more in the sense that she has to keep an emotionally taut character on the right side of likeable and he manages it perfectly. All three of the other leads also manage to bring a level of human complexity to their otherwise disagreeable characters.

I'm not sure if the lukewarm response to this one means that Rooney-Mania is over, and we're not likely to see the same creative team do "Beautiful World, Where Are You", but I thought this follow up was an enjoyable enough watch.

There wasn't a massive storyline that kept me interested but I think it's the relationship between characters that kept me intrigued. I honestly don't know how I feel about the ending, but this was a good slow paced and calm show to watch.

Don't mind the reviews. I couldn't stop watching it and really enjoyed the glorious messy lives of Frqnces, Nick, Melissa, and Bobbi. Killer soundtrack too!

This is interesting that so many ppl can't stand watching awkwardness and shame! Which this series don't spare us from.

The protagonist is shy, introverted and has problems with understanding and sharing her emotions. This makes her confused and overwhelmed by events she found herself taking very first part. At the same time, she tries to feel more confident by degrading others and feeling superior intellectually. She is also envy of her bff's eloquence. Openness and charm.

Tbh i think her bff is very mature for her age, and I don't know how it is possible. In so young age she seems to read everyones minds, communicating her feelings perfectly and is very opinionated. I would give her 30. Mentally.

What i like in this series is that it shows so much vulnerability, shame, confusion and on the other hand, passion, love and friendship. Sometimes i felt this is so intimate, that i shouldn't watch it (and i skipped). At the same time maybe it is good for some young ppl to see what is real sex and intimacy (although i would put more attention on protection :).

Also I liked that polyamory was not idealized here. I do know some poly ppl, who thinks it is just superior to monogamy. It isn't, it is very difficult, painful and trigger alot of wounds. But also it can be beautiful probably.

Male protagonist is really sympathetic, although pretty one-dimensional. He is so mellow and kind, that i find this character unrealistic.

Still, I took sth from this series: that u can learn communicating your feelings, that it can spare u from a lot of suffering and harm; your acts have consequences that should be talked trough. And the most important: we are so subjective in our perspectives and (self)judgements. And it is so refreshing and freeing to share these perspectives, as we can see their utmost subjectivity. And thus, we can stop being our own priosoners.