rayresnyc

2.5 hours. Went to MOMA premiere with people flown in from Europe from (by?) Doctors Without Borders (DWB) etc. Only made it through the first hour that consisted of tedious setup of how hardworking, clean and poor immigrants are. Including 45 seconds of a guy clipping his toenails, 30 seconds of a guy washing his hair, multiple shots of a pregnant woman massaging her stomach. Needs significant cutting and voiceover explanations. What a shame. The director needs some frank and honest friends. Really surprised MOMA chose to air this. Maybe it's just me but several others walked out and my friend was alarmed that DWB would spend money like this. Mercy Ships for me!

This is sort of an r-rated made-for-tv movie. The show is not shown until a bit at small scene near the end if the movie. Many more creative ways to deal with the topic - i would have shown flashes of the show with the glitz all thrthe show and then ended with a reveal of a routine exposing the flaws. The daughter is supposedly a photography student but she never takes a photo - the closing credits could have been a reveal of her view of the show and her mother; of course there is nothing to say she is going to be a good photographer...but that could have been an editorial choice. Too may close-ups. Yes we get it - they can never get the glitter off their faces.

The houses are amazing and diverse and the series is worth watching. That's where the diversity ends. Mostly Christian, fabulously wealthy though they never show you where the hired help sleeps. An occasional gay couple or Hispanic. Hard to pick a favorite. The Fettermans 1920's car dealership house, compacted dirt house, even the Hawaiian school bus house. Highly educated white people with educated modulated voices. I hope if the show continues they can use more imagination to become more inclusive and self-aware. I have to admit that I will keep either way. And easy to re-watch - so many good ideas...