I approached the series with great anticipation, eager to explore its source of inspiration, "The Merchant of Venice," translated into the a television series. However, as the story unfolded, the series stumbled at its starting point, and it became apparent that the director bore the brunt of its shortcomings. From the onset, the project failed to maintain its initial promise, and a downward trajectory began to manifest in the subsequent episodes.
The blame lies squarely with the director, who allowed numerous non-essential shots to mar the flow of the plot, devoid of any significant meaning or purpose. The series grappled with a lack of logic, undermining its potential for a compelling narrative and giving the right time and space for the characters development. Though the series boasted a talented ensemble of actors, the director's inadequacies in guiding their performances were evident. While some characters displayed potential for growth, the overall lack of conviction in their development diminished their impact. It became apparent that the director failed to allocate sufficient time and space to explore the intricacies of each character fully.
The series held promise with its underlying narrative, but the dialogue, screenplay, and scenarios appeared tainted by disparate contributions from a group of writers. This struggle in direction hampered the overall cohesion and led to a disconnect between the narrative's potential and its realization on screen.
It is commendable how the writer successfully adapted the idea of "The Merchant of Venice." into an Syrian-Lebanese television series. However, the director's lack of attention to artistic perspective is glaring. Pre-production research and meticulous planning are essential for a logical and artistically enriching execution. The director's hasty approach allowed for a plethora of ideas to be introduced, many of which felt incongruous and nonsensical.
Despite its shortcomings, Fire with Fire managed to salvage some redemption in its final episodes. It was evident that more care and professionalism were invested in the latter part of the series.
