The Slap

The unfulfilled lives of a number of people are brought into focus at a seemingly happy suburban get-together by the single slap of a child.

All is not as it seems as each of the protagonists lives is then laid bare in subsequent episodes of this excoriating, first-class Australian drama.Perhaps the slap is merely a catalyst for the truth to unfold. Maybe the slap needed to happen for these people to get on with their lives without the baggage of the past. Make up your own mind.

It's easy to see something of yourself in these lives and maybe that is why a couple of reviewers here have played the 'unlikeable characters' card to dismiss this adaptation. Also, I believe the female characters are strong and their friendships quite solid in spite of certain cracks appearing under pressure. If this is misogynistic writing it has eluded me. The men fare less well.

If you prefer sugary Disney-like characters going through the motions in mind-numbing scenarios, then The Slap is not for you.9/10

This series is dark and the characters not particularly likable, but they are never one dimensional. Every time you thought you thoroughly hated a character, they would reveal some other aspect of themselves that would make you like them a little. The multi-layering of the stories and the characters make this compelling viewing. There will be people you know that share some of their characteristics- maybe even yourself. It is not an exploration of happy families, but an exploration of our flaws. I haven't read any of Tsiolkas' books, but have been inspired to do so. I even loved watching the opening titles every week and am sad the series is over.

First, there are 2 versions of this mini-series, and I highly recommend this 2011 Australian version over the 2015 version. This one is somehow far better. (I've been watching quite a few shows coming out of Australia lately and they all seem to have a special something that rises them up above others--all the ones I've seen have a very unique take on things, be it subject matter or the views and lives of the characters they present. Quirky, interesting, and very original, I'll say for these Aussie productions.)

That being said, get ready for a truly intense mini-series. This show manages to bring out fierce emotions in even the meekest of people, really riling you up no matter which view or whose side you take--and you will take sides, believe me. And if you think you're all on board with one of the characters after watching the first episode, be sure to tune in for the next of the series as each successive episode will focus mainly on one of the other characters, allowing you to slowly get to know what life is like for each one, and as their deep dark secrets are slowly revealed. Not a sit back, relax and fall asleep thing by any means.

I can't find anything to criticise about this series. The acting, production, continuity and so forth are excellent. It's amazing that of the 6 previous reviews 4 were 9 or 10 stars and 2 were 1 star, and scathing to say the least - and yet all the reviewers are Australian, so it's not a cultural divide issue. Perhaps it just boils down to taste. For mine, explorations of human frailty and the inexplicable nature of relationships, when done as well as The Slap, make for fascinating literature and film. There are no really good guys and, other than Harry, no particularly bad guys. These people are ordinary. Also of interest to me was the inside look into Greek-Australian culture. Persumably this was authentically representative, given that several of the actors are Greek Australians and any major inaccuracies would have been weeded out.

Oustanding in the acting department is Melissa George, whose success in the US is not surprising if this is the class and quality of her acting outside the soap opera arena. She was utterly convincing as the somewhat flaky, "alternative" mother of Hugo - the slappee. I was also impressed by the acting of the various children in the series - they were all very natural and normal. (Quite often poor child actors can spoil an otherwise good production.) It was also good to see old favourite Lex Marinos again.

I'd highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys well-produced thought-provoking drama. I'd be surprised if every the naysayers did not ask themselves or discuss with others questions about the rights and wrongs of not only the slap, but its repercussions. Perhaps I am overly biased towards Australian productions - I regularly find merit in things that get universal scorn - so take that into account.

The Slap has to be one of the finest pieces of drama to ever come out of Australia. It boils down to the core of our essence. No one is perfect and The Slap shows every ugly wrinkle. Many people will see a reflection of themselves, and it isn't pretty. But it is handled so deftly that you become part of their world.

Each episode focuses on one of the characters who were at a 40th birthday BBQ where booze, drugs and anger ends with a grown man slapping a small child. From here the author delves into the most inner thoughts of each character present at the BBQ. Thoughts most people would never share with even their closest friends. They lie, they cover their tracks, they live with the consequences of guilt and shame. The old man reflecting on his younger life, now disappointed with his lot, and contemplating never again having the pleasure of touching a young woman's breast. I think that is pretty powerful stuff. Not pornographic, just hitting home the reality what is going on in some people's heads.

No it isn't fun to watch, simply engaging. If you watch television to be challenged, this show serves it up in spades.