Long Bright River

I'll start by saying that no, I didnt the read book and overall I did like this series. It was just too long and the story does drag on. The acting is great, and sadly this feels alittle too real. Alot of flawed characters either hooked on drugs or doing a job that they are ill suited to do. The story is depressing but also not the average hollywood story or reboot. Amanda Seyfried's character can be annoying and naive at times but watching her life unfold as the older sister of an addict was sad on many levels. And unlike the same crime series on TV it's nice to watch a story that I could imagine really happened. I just wish they made this one happen in 1 or 2 less episodes.

I never really considered her that serious an actor, but she is jaw-droppingly good in this. Like Kate Winslet in Mare of Easttown level-or better. I would be shocked if Seyfried doesn't take home best actress at the Emmy's. Her performance is so fluid, so natural, so understated yet full of depth. I'm like floored how good she is. (Other actors/casting also great. Maybe that means the directing is great too? I do like the choices of how scenes and episodes end-a little unconventional but with a poignant beauty. So let's give it up for the director & maybe editor too!). Bravo all around. See it!

Some of the posted reviews are absolutely mind boggling in their lack of empathy and compassion. Apparently, the homelessness, drug addiction and prostitution in this area of Philadelphia (called Kensington) marks the people (especially its female members) as losers who are not worth consideration. And by caring about the fate of the women, in general, and worrying over her sister, in particular, the series' lead character Mickey, a patrol cop played by Amanda Seyfried, is branded as some sort of gullible sucker. I found the character of her sister, Kacey, as portrayed by Ashleigh Cummings, as the most realistic and fascinating in the show. It made me want to read Liz Moore's book, and I rate the series as an 8 out of 10 stars.

My rating is 5 stars for two reasons. First, it is so dark...what is the fascination with filming scenes in lighting so dark the viewer sees nothing? This technique is not something to be applauded. It is not "artistic" nor creative. Stop already! Make a podcast if all the audience can do is listen and not see! Second, the story could have been effectively told in half the episodes. It felt as if the studio slotting 8 episodes drove the content rather than the story line. A final aside - the casting for younger versions of characters was awful. By no stretch of the imagination would these actors grow up into the adult versions. I always find poor casting distracting.

This show follows a Philadelphia Police Officer who struggles with her co workers believing that the deaths of multiple homeless females are not murders disguised as drug overdoses. The acting is superb and the story line is tense. Along the way there are many twists and turns that I personally did not see coming. This show is gritty and nothing is sugar coated and well worth the time to watch it. The show highlights probably the worst areas of Philadelphia where drugs are rampant but it is a thoroughly riveting and enjoyable journey to watch this show. I would recommend it to those that enjoy genuine hard core police dramas that also highlight personal journeys of individuals.