On the face of it; Janet King (played by Marta Dusseldorp) sounds like an interesting take on the 'legal drama' serial. Hard hitting cases, delivered in gritty undertones that reflect the depravity we might see the darkest corners of society. Unfortunately, Janet King falls well short of this goal.
To start, the writing shows a definitive lack of subtlety, and authenticity. Legal scenarios play out in an overdramatic and stilted fashion. Backroom politicking comes across as artificial and forced. Much of the drama in Janet King feels artificial, as if the script was written without revision, research, or imagination. This leads us to the characters.
It is difficult to make statements on the quality of the acting here. Undoubtedly, much of the cast is capable of better things, but without any quality material to work with, any exceptional talent will go unnoticed. Characterisation, script, sets and the costume design are like cardboard cut-outs; they have no depth. Everything is played out linearly, any defining moments or character growth is played out in an almost 'by the numbers' fashion. In a sense, nothing comes across as surprising, or real. Janet King's relationship with her female partner could have been a golden moment in Australian TV. Instead if feels forced, stale and all too well adjusted; with Janet spending more time staring intensely into the camera than experiencing the pitfalls of the human condition.
Janet's moral compass and personal philosophy appears to come at no true cost to herself, or her family. Events that should have a significant impact on her personality should impart mental scars or growth. We see none of that in Janet King, rather our protagonist comes across as a hollow amalgamation of various tropes and traits grabbed off a Tumblr guide to LGBT people written by a 14-year-old.
The photography work is exceptional. Crisp angles are used to dynamically frame environments, while use of depth and focus shift are used to great effect. This technical brilliance (kudos to grip and camera crew), is squandered continuously due to poor direction and script. If anything, the great camera work shows off just how poor the story telling, dialogue and set pieces are. For example, people's houses look like magazine pieces. Show models that are utterly unlived in, that give no inclination as to the personalities of their residents. We see our titular character's home life often, but it reveals nothing of her personality or that of her family. It simply comes across as continuously frozen in time.
Attention to detail for such things are instead shifted to diverse or overdressed extras, who say and do nothing other than contrast with the predominately Anglo cast. At best this comes across as poorly executed and one-dimensional attempt at showing a 'modern Australia'. At worst its pandering to a demographic that doesn't watch public television anymore.
In summary, Janet King is a perfect example of terrible original Australian programming. It is utterly devoid of imagination, appropriate attention to detail and quality control. Perhaps in a new series, with a completely new set of producers, directors, and scriptwriters it might be worth watching.
Until then it will likely languish in forgotten mediocrity because it lacks one key element; it isn't believable.
To start, the writing shows a definitive lack of subtlety, and authenticity. Legal scenarios play out in an overdramatic and stilted fashion. Backroom politicking comes across as artificial and forced. Much of the drama in Janet King feels artificial, as if the script was written without revision, research, or imagination. This leads us to the characters.
It is difficult to make statements on the quality of the acting here. Undoubtedly, much of the cast is capable of better things, but without any quality material to work with, any exceptional talent will go unnoticed. Characterisation, script, sets and the costume design are like cardboard cut-outs; they have no depth. Everything is played out linearly, any defining moments or character growth is played out in an almost 'by the numbers' fashion. In a sense, nothing comes across as surprising, or real. Janet King's relationship with her female partner could have been a golden moment in Australian TV. Instead if feels forced, stale and all too well adjusted; with Janet spending more time staring intensely into the camera than experiencing the pitfalls of the human condition.
Janet's moral compass and personal philosophy appears to come at no true cost to herself, or her family. Events that should have a significant impact on her personality should impart mental scars or growth. We see none of that in Janet King, rather our protagonist comes across as a hollow amalgamation of various tropes and traits grabbed off a Tumblr guide to LGBT people written by a 14-year-old.
The photography work is exceptional. Crisp angles are used to dynamically frame environments, while use of depth and focus shift are used to great effect. This technical brilliance (kudos to grip and camera crew), is squandered continuously due to poor direction and script. If anything, the great camera work shows off just how poor the story telling, dialogue and set pieces are. For example, people's houses look like magazine pieces. Show models that are utterly unlived in, that give no inclination as to the personalities of their residents. We see our titular character's home life often, but it reveals nothing of her personality or that of her family. It simply comes across as continuously frozen in time.
Attention to detail for such things are instead shifted to diverse or overdressed extras, who say and do nothing other than contrast with the predominately Anglo cast. At best this comes across as poorly executed and one-dimensional attempt at showing a 'modern Australia'. At worst its pandering to a demographic that doesn't watch public television anymore.
In summary, Janet King is a perfect example of terrible original Australian programming. It is utterly devoid of imagination, appropriate attention to detail and quality control. Perhaps in a new series, with a completely new set of producers, directors, and scriptwriters it might be worth watching.
Until then it will likely languish in forgotten mediocrity because it lacks one key element; it isn't believable.