Sharp Objects
- Carlee Goodrum
- Aug 28, 2018
- 6 min read
Hello! So since there hasn't been any super interesting films that have come out recently I thought I would review a TV show I just finished. I haven't done this in a while so I thought, why not? I will be reviewing the new HBO miniseries Sharp Objects starring Amy Adams (my #1 favorite actress of all time, in case you need that information for trivia purposes). This show is only 8 episodes so you can knock it out pretty quickly. Well should we get started? I THINK WE SHOULD!
(P.S. This gif is from my favorite movie of all time, Enchanted.... again for trivia purposes)
PLOT:
Camille Preaker (Amy Adams) is a reporter for a St. Louis newspaper. She clearly has an interesting past we just don't know exactly what it is when we're introduced to her. Parts of her life are shown in flashbacks but they are quick snippets so not too much is known about her. One day when she reports to work her boss tells her about a couple of murders that have happened recently in her hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri. He assigns her to cover the story and to also try to get some closure back home. She resists at first but ultimately agrees and heads back home.
The crime is that two young girls have been murdered and as of yet there are two possible leads. Wind Gap is a small town where gossip spreads quickly. Camille clearly doesn't want to be there and although we don't know the full reasoning behind this we are given a glimpse as to why. Her younger sister had died of an unknown illness and Camille has never quite gotten over it. While in Wind Gap she meets the lead detective on the case, Richard (Chris Messina) with whom she instantly has a camaraderie. She tries to question him about the case but he doesn't fully trust her because she's a reporter so he doesn't give her much information. Everyone is very standoffish towards her including her mother, Adora (Patricia Clarkson). Her mother is a cold woman who also clearly has an interesting past and story.
While in town she meets her half sister, Amma (Eliza Scanlen) who she hasn't seen in years. Amma instantly connects with her and wants to spend as much time with her as she can but Camille is resistant. Everyone seems to be harboring a secret but we don't know what those are right away.
Along the way Camille must confront her demons while trying to solve these two violent murders.
REVIEW:
This show is crazy. I really enjoyed this show because it was a slow build. Not a ton happens in each episode but enough does to keep you engaged and wanting more. This show had a new episode come out weekly but I saved them up so I could binge them and I am so glad I did. Each episode leaves you on a cliffhanger and you instantly want to move on to the next episode to see what happens. I never read the book so I didn't know what was going to happen which I absolutely loved. I love trying to figure out what's going to happen or who the killer is. This show constantly surprised me in each episode. It was such smart storytelling and pacing that you just can't look away.
There were two standout performances for me. One of those being my lady, Amy Adams. If it hasn't been proven by this point, this woman can act. If she doesn't get nominated for this performance I will seriously be questioning those people. She did such a fantastic job. Her character isn't the most likeable, she's constantly making bad decisions, but you still root for her. You want to know what happens to her and you don't want anything bad to happen to her because she's been through so much already. Amy just captures this broken woman who doesn't really know her place in the world. You can tell she's constantly battling her inner demons, she doesn't know how to live a normal life. She's seen things and experienced things no one should ever experience and she doesn't know how to deal with that properly. She has some really beautiful moments throughout the series where she just breaks down and opens herself up to the audience. You don't know her full story from the start which I love because the whole time you're trying to figure out this character and where she stands. Her character is also trying to figure these things out and it's really fascinating to watch her go through that journey. She can be super closed off but then be super vulnerable. Amy did such a great job of balancing these two polar opposite emotions and she really allowed the audience to get inside Camille's head. Honestly I love everything Amy Adams does, like I said she is my favorite actress of all time but I have to say this has to be one of her best performances thus far.
The other standout performance was Eliza Scanlen as Amma. This is her first major acting role and she was fantastic. I believe after this performance she will go far. When we first meet her character I did not like her. I thought she was this bratty, rich kid who got everything she ever desired. She always seemed like a foil to Camille. As the series progressed you begin to learn more about Amma's character and although you still don't really like her, you want to know more about her. You start to care about what happens to her. She constantly kept me guessing because I never really knew where she truly stood. She would do one thing and then the next moment she would do something completely off kilter. She really held her own acting opposite two of the best actresses out there, Amy Adams and Patricia Clarkson. Her character was the most fascinating to me because I was just constantly guessing what she would do next and her story. I can't go too much into it because that would be spoiler town but her story is so interesting.
Like I said this series is a slow build so don't expect to get all the answers right away. Even when you think you have the answer more times than not, there's more to the story. I personally love those type of stories because I like to try to figure it out along the way and see if I'm right. I'm almost always wrong, so that's how good I am at that. This story really focuses on small details that you will most likely overlook and will bring them back in this gung ho way and you'll be like... wait I remember that! They're very smart on where they place their focus because what you see isn't what's always happening. I love smart storytelling like this because it allows you to get really engaged and connect with the characters.
PARENTS GUIDE:
So this show doesn't have an official rating because it's on TV and not a movie but it is on HBO so you can expect some adult things. There is quite a bit of cussing in this show. There is also some violence which is expected because the whole show revolves on solving two murders. There are some really serious themes in this show about depression and harming oneself. There is some nudity and sexual instances. I personally wouldn't recommend this for anyone too young due to all these factors. It's definitely more of an adult show.
CONCLUSION:
I do highly recommend this show. If you like a show that constantly keeps you guessing and has really interesting characters, I suggest you check this one out. Be prepared there are some adult themes in this one. Amy Adams is at her best with this performance along with the rest of the cast. They really capture the story and keep you engaged throughout all 8 episodes. And the ending. The ending is so good you guys. You will be shocked. That's all I'm going to say because again, spoilers. I mean it's only 8 episodes so you can get through it pretty quickly. Trust me though, once you watch it you will want to discuss it and isn't that what a good show is all about? So you can talk about it with your friends or family and try to dissect it.
If you do happen to check it out, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. I'm always up for talking about movies and TV shows. I hope you enjoyed this little blog of mine and I hope this particular blog encouraged you to check out this show. As always please leave me a comment or review and make sure to tell your friends! Until next time!
Comments