Something Undone

This really could have been much better if the main male character wasn't such an idiot. For someone to believably have had a successful podcast series, he is incredibly inept at talking to people, easily manipulated and self-involved. He has no foresight and doesn't even bother to keep things to self-insure himself to counter blackmail. His character just isn't believable. It's more like an 18 year old set out to do a podcast and through a series of impulsive decisions pissed off the mafia or something. I really liked the first few episodes, once they go to the Island it goes downhill. It's a pity as the acting is good, just the plot is ridiculous.

Something Undone is unusual, and I am not referring to its subject matter. It is Canadian, it is relatively low-budget, its creators are also its stars, it takes place in obscure locales, and its metamorphosis into a series was not 100% organic. That said, it is pretty amazing. The direction is a standout. The creators have somehow managed to turn ordinary scenes where nothing much is happening into into images and sounds that hold the attention, keep you watching. In Hollywood, that trick can win you awards. In Canada, not so much. The idea of creators casting themselves as leads only enhances this oddball effect, and for the most part works well. Billy Campbell, one of the most unappreciated talents in the biz, steals every scene he is in. Film students could learn from this. Something Undone arguably refers not only to the story, but to the way it was brought to the big screen. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

These short episodes are really watchable. Most of the cast will not be well-known in the UK, but they are professional, no question. The photography is great and the screenplay maybe a little overdone but I'll forgive that. Video and sound quality are both right up there - I guess many would expect no less. It's been said that at a half-hour show per episode it's a filler, but I'm not complaining about that as the choice is there to just keep watching. Ten episodes out there so far. ITVx is pushing out a lot of old and new material on its streaming service these days and it probably needs to in these competitive times.

This dropped on itvX -- a free streaming service in the UK -- yesterday (14 Dec 2023) -- and I binged it. It was highlighted in the TV listings magazine I read so I was hopeful it would be at least half decent. Unfortunately, it's worth just about what I paid to see it. There's so much filler and so little thriller that I recommend you give it a miss.

The real problem here is the weak screenplay (and the weak underlying story). But also, more competent actors in the two lead roles could perhaps have brought more of a sense of realism to things. I couldn't buy Michael Musi as the supposed stellar podcaster, nor Madison Walsh as this supposed groundbreaking Foley artist (her "outstanding" sound effects for the podcast were supposed to be its USP).

Farid (played by Michael Musi) is supposed to be in some serious degree of peril, and yet he ambles around as if he's conducting his interviews in a pretty benign environment. And the whole Jo (played by Madison Walsh) "subplot" as she clears her dead mother's house is so confusing that I really struggled to know what was supposed to be actually happening and what she was imagining.

Such a mess. Please give it a miss.

There's some very negative reviews around but I don't get it. I thought this well well-paced, well-acted, holding its atmosphere throughout segueing between is it horror, is it creepy serial killer or possible mental illness? Podcast culture was the pitch and style. I do think the idea that the Foley artist was the podcast star was a bit daft although personally I do always keep a fresh stick of celery to hand just is case I need a quick sound effect. I thought the story line bringing in a skewed new age wellness community boss was a wrong turn but I thought it was otherwise excellent. Gets 8/10 on my creepy killer / horror / mental health / atmospheric Canadian wilds rating scale.