recommended

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

The greatest mystery of Alias Grace is whether you can endure the boredom in order to make it to the end.Although, there is a sense of a fantastic series buried in the cracks, I found myself at times wishing they would just get to the punch.

Most of the seven stars I've given this are for the excellent period detail, cinematography, and production design, which helped keep me watching when the endless scenes of sewing started to become wearisome.This piece is slow-moving. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, if the dialogue is top-notch and the directing assured. Here, unfortunately, we are treated to scene after scene of two people sitting in a room while one talks (and sews, and sews, and sews) and the other listens. This gives way to a voice-over which narrates the central storyline in the form of flashbacks - an uninspired device which also tests ones patience after a while.If the story was gripping, or at least told with more inspired directing, it would be a rewarding experience, as it is certainly very well made. Unfortunately, each flashback lasts just long enough to begin to arouse one's interest before lurching awkwardly back to the talking and the sewing - effectively destroying any build-up of tension.Sadly, one thing that seriously challenged my ability to become immersed was the casting of Anna Paquin, whose facial gurning and increasing resemblance to Val Kilmer (as both their faces grow ever wider) was distracting, and her ill-fitting presence made the whole thing feel consciously like a TV show. Overall it's worth a watch, but could be so much better with more inspired writing and directing.

This is a riveting bingeworthy mini series that will keep you enthralled from beginning to end. The characters are fully developed and hold you glued to the television from beginning to end. Watch it!

A murder mystery and historical drama from the great author Margaret Atwood makes for a great Netflix limited series. The show begins with Grace Marks (Sarah Gadon) already locked up for a murder, though the circumstances of that crime are not yet revealed. Psychologist Dr. Simon Jordan (Edward Holcroft) interviews Grace to figure out if she is guilty or if her story is true. In flashbacks, Grace is kicked out of her father's home. She searches for work and finds a job as a maid working for Mrs. Parkinson (Martha Burns). She forms a relationship with another maid Mary Whitney (Rebecca Liddlard) but Mary comes down with an illness which turns out to be a pregnancy as she was flirting with George Parkinson (Will Bowes). Forced to keep it a secret, she gets the dangerous operation of an abortion but does not survive the bleeding.Grace believes she hears the voice of Mary and fears she didn't open a window fast enough to let her soul. Distressed, Grace faints but she wakes up under the impression that she is Mary and Grace is missing. Dr. Jordan is skeptical of Grace's claim but continues to listen to her as he daydreams about a romantic relationship with her. Grace meets Jeremiah Pontelli (Zachary Levi), a traveling salesman who finds Grace attractive. Nancy Montgomery (Anna Paquin) recruits Grace to work as a maid at the home of Thomas Kinnear (Paul Gross). Strange rumors surround Kinnear and Nancy, though a maid herself, has a more personal relationship with her employer. Check out more of this review and others at swilliky.com