Mike Max

The series is a complete letdown. A clunky script combined with actors who aren’t given much to do add up to an exercise in frustration. Every time we get closer to unravelling the mystery a character or plot device blocks our path. The kid is not a bad actor but many kids could have played the role. Billy Crystal tries but his acting isn’t up to the nuances here and he comes off as wooden. The editing and direction also get in the way. We know we are going to end up at a log cabin but wow it takes a long time to get there. Then there’s a wall of photos and supposedly related cases but this has been basically written out of the script and isn’t referred to until Epidode 7. There’s a great spooky story buried within but it’s all but ruined by the glacial pace, extra characters that have no purpose, and rather amateur storytelling. Apple manages to disappoint yet again.

What a mess! Seems the director didn’t really understand how to structure the story to make it an interesting or suspenseful watch. He also didn’t quite comprehend how to turn a book into a limited series. Many scenes don’t fit or work at all. We really have no good characters to root for. We gave up around episode four and really don’t care who the murderer is. Some of the acting is okay but even the actors seem like they’d rather be somewhere else. Skip it!!

Yuck. Good set design and costumes but too forcibly dark. It’s clunky and full of tropes. My partner and I gave up before the end of episode one. Apple rarely gets it right but this is one of the worst things we’ve watched in ages. Who green lights the series on Apple? Fire them.

I was so excited about the show and finally got a chance to watch it a bit after the release. As a kid I devoured every book about the swans and waited for new issues of Town and Country, Interview, and every other magazine that might show what they were wearing or where they were going. I also read Capote and was really stoked when Answered Prayers came out, finished or not. My excitement continued for the first few episodes and I kept thinking it was going to be my favourite series ever. Somewhere around the third episode the realization hit- this is nothing but endless smoking and not very interesting gossip. The famous black and white ball came off as a party no one in their right mind would want to stay long at. There was so much potential here, and the acting is generally great with the exception of Russell Tovey who gives a cringe- worthy performance, as do the other Murphy staples. However the writing is stale, and Gus van Sant’s decision to tell the story in a non-linear fashion was a poor one. I’m sure I’ll finish watching at some point, but the series has gone from the top of my watch next list to the bottom. People unfamiliar with this era of jetsetters and scandal might be interested, but the series adds very little to those in the know. It ends up being as thin as the characters portrayed.

Would give the series five stars, but the addition of Andi Oliver as host has ruined the show a bit. She seems both haughty and insincere. I agree with other reviewers the judges should be changed, and the producers seem to be slowly doing so. Watching good food go to waste hits the wrong note, but other than these small criticisms, GBM remains THE food show to watch.

Wanted to love this series, but it’s just too similar to so many other romantic comedies. The choppy editing doesn’t help, and some of the performances are corny and forced. Hopefully if the show has another season there will be more emphasis on humour rather than romance. . However, there is no doubt Rose Matafeo is a major talent. So happy for her success.