Age of The Nerd
(AOTN) Having not yet read the novel that the new HBO limited series “Big Little Lies” is based upon, we have been able to blindly delve into this delicious show without any preconceived notions about what may or may not occur. Thus far we are three episodes in and already on the edge of our seats anticipating more!
In the tranquil seaside town of Monterey, California, nothing is quite as it seems. Doting moms, successful husbands, adorable children, beautiful homes: What lies will be told to keep their perfect worlds from unraveling? Told through the eyes of three mothers – Madeline, Celeste and Jane – “Big Little Lies” paints a picture of a town fueled by rumors and divided into the haves and have-nots, exposing the conflicts, secrets and betrayals that compromise relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, and friends and neighbors.
It is not very often that both domestic abuse and satire can exist in the same universe, but that is a lot of what we see as the plot of “Big Little Lies” continues to unravel. The show hooks you in like a seductive mistress and refuses to let go.
Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée (“Dallas Buyers Club,” for which he received an editing Oscar® nomination; “Wild”; “Demolition”), “Big Little Lies” is written for television and created by David E. Kelley (seven-time Emmy® winner for “Picket Fences,” “LA Law,” “The Practice” and “Ally McBeal”; “Goliath”).
The stellar cast includes Reese Witherspoon (Oscar®, Golden Globe and SAG Award winner for “Walk the Line”; Oscar®, Golden Globe and SAG Award nominee for “Wild”; “Inherent Vice”); Nicole Kidman (Golden Globe and SAG Award nominee for “Lion”; Oscar® winner for “The Hours”; Golden Globe winner for “To Die For,” “Moulin Rouge!” and “The Hours”; SAG Award nominee for “Rabbit Hole” and “The Paperboy”; Emmy® nominee for HBO’s “Hemingway & Gellhorn”); Shailene Woodley (Independent Spirit Award winner, Golden Globe and SAG Award nominee for “The Descendants”; “Divergent”; “The Fault in Our Stars”); Laura Dern (Oscar® nominee for “Wild” and “Rambling Rose”; Golden Globe winner for HBO’s “Enlightened,” “Recount” and “Afterburn;” five-time Emmy® nominee); Zoë Kravitz (“Mad Max: Fury Road,” “Divergent”); Alexander Skarsgård (“The Legend of Tarzan,” HBO’s “True Blood”); Adam Scott (“Parks and Recreation,” “Black Mass”); James Tupper (“Men in Trees,” “Revenge”); and Jeffrey Nordling (“Sully,” “Motive”).
“Big Little Lies” showcases some of the best work we have seen from Reese Witherspoon in recent years and Nicole Kidman is flawless as usual! You can listen to our full review below:
Pop Culture Madness! – Big Little Lies Review
Stay tuned for the following upcoming episodes of “Big Little Lies”:
Episode #3: “Living the Dream”
Debut: SUNDAY, MARCH 5 (9:00-10:00 p.m. EP/PT)
Hoping to get under Renata’s (Laura Dern) skin, Madeline (Reese Witherspoon) organizes a trip to compete with Amabella’s (Ivy George) birthday party. After another argument, Celeste (Nicole Kidman) succumbs to Perry’s (Alexander Skarsgård) charms before their first session with Dr. Amanda Reisman (Robin Weigert), a therapist. Madeline gets called for a meeting with Abigail’s (Kathryn Newton) guidance counselor. Principal Nippal (P.J. Byrne) announces the theme for the Fall Gala Fundraiser. Later, Jane (Shailene Woodley) seeks Madeline’s help with Ziggy’s (Iain Armitage) family tree project, and opens up about her past.
Written by David E. Kelley; directed by Jean-Marc Vallée.
Episode #4: “Push Comes to Shove”
Debut: SUNDAY, MARCH 12 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Nathan (James Tupper) invites Madeline (Reese Witherspoon) and Ed (Adam Scott) to a couples’ dinner to discuss a “parenting paradigm” for Abigail (Kathryn Newton). Celeste (Nicole Kidman) prepares for a city-council meeting about Madeline’s play, and bristles at Perry’s (Alexander Skarsgård) concerns about her returning to work. Jane (Shailene Woodley) meets with Ms. Barnes (Virginia Kull), Ziggy’s (Iain Armitage) teacher, who suggests her son be medically evaluated in light of further evidence of classroom bullying. While Madeline is confronted by a skeleton from her past, her internet sleuthing reveals a key player from Jane’s past instead.
Written by David E. Kelley; directed by Jean-Marc Vallée.
