Too Close to Home

I like the story line, but this show suffers more from script and directing issues than from poor acting. No one on this show is so bad that his/her performance can't be helped with better writing and directing. I'd go as far to say that of the two, the writing is the greater handicap - especially when it comes to disagreements between characters. There doesn't seem to be any commitment to depth - just overplay the lines. To assume your audience at large is shallow enough to buy into dialogue that even a soap opera wouldn't touch is a loss for everyone. I don't just want eye candy - I want heart and soul, and that has to exist in the script and in the direction. Even the best actors can only do so much.

I love Tyler Perry, and was excited to hear about the show. The concept sounded intriguing and the trailers looked exciting. Not often do we see a "rise above your raising" show that focuses on poor whites. However, the show has several problems.

The dialogue is ridiculous. The characters just say the same thing over, and over, and over again. It's evident that even the actors know they are delivering poorly written lines.

The story moves at a snail's pace, which would be fine if the show aired as a soap opera - more than once a week.

The guy who plays Brody seems to have only one emotion, and it is difficult to say what that emotion might be. He is flat - one dimensional. Either he needs acting lessons or better direction.

I see that the show has been renewed for a second season. After 6 episodes, the only way I'd watch it again is if Perry hires some new writers who have knowledge of the South and experience in the soap opera genre.

So this one started off good and focuses on rural Alabama instead of urban Atlanta. It's a nice mix of rednecks, country bumpkins, trash (White and Black) and others. All around a protagonist trying to escape her miserable poor, dysfunctional, abusive, socioeconomically challenged upbringing to reinvent herself in Washington DC.

Which works until it doesn't work.

In typical Tyler Perry fashion shenanigans ensue on the first episode. Everyone is problematic and you end up hating all of the characters equally. Which works for the first season, until he introduces a bunch of new characters on the second season.

If you can forgive how racist, sexist, classist and xenophobic this show is you may actually like it. But everyone competes for attention and you quickly forget all about the protagonist. It's a downhill ride from there.

Wow. I am wondering how these actors got their gig w/ Perry. I mean, I cannot tell whose acting is worse...actually yes I can: that Fabio looking guy. it's like he doesn't know what to do with himself while reciting the same lines over and over and over again. He also reminds me of someone who has either worked in porn or would be more suitable to work in porn. And how is it possible that almost every main guy character is SUPER ripped? I mean, come on! Anna has no backbone and keeps saying "sorry" over and over and over again. Heather Locklear's makeup was AWFUL. She looked terrible! Whoever did her makeup ought to be fired. I don't know what happened, but I don't see this show lasting too long.

The show is fine for a scripted TLC drama. The actors are, of course, quite lovely. The acting is not as bad as on some other Tyler Perry shows, but sometimes the dialogue has a tendency to be slightly clunky at best. The plot lines are mostly believable, but still have room to improve. Honestly, overall, the show is quite enjoyable. I enjoy most of what Tyler Perry produces, with a few notable exceptions. This show definitely has room to improve on a few aspects, but I can also definitely say that it does have promise (as long as it doesn't get too ridiculous). So far, the relationships are believable and the acting is good. I finished the first and second season (at least up to the last episode released so far) in the past week so my interest, to say the least, is peaked. Hopefully, it only gets better with time.

Pros: -definitely brings the drama -acting is good -story line is mostly believable and easy to follow -cinematography and wardrobe are well done -characters have thought out backstories with room to grow

Cons: -some subplots are iffy at best -dialogue shifts can be slightly clunky and stiff -conflict resolves are hastily done at times -music is overdone and more obtrusive than complementary -shifty accents (Shelby's accent is a little stereotypical at times)