5/10
Pour some sugar on me
17 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
An adaptation of Jessie Burton's novel. The Miniaturist tells the story of Petronella Oortman (Anya Taylor-Joy) an 18 year old woman married off to a wealthy sugar merchant, Johannes Brandt (Alex Hassell.)

She has moved from the provinces to the thriving city of Amsterdam and living in her husband's household run by her initially severe sister in law Marin (Romola Garai) which has two servants.

The house seems to contain secrets, her husband is rather reluctant to be with her but he does give her a dollhouse as a wedding gift. Petronella furnishes the doll house with miniature replicas that arrive as gifts. The miniaturist making the dolls may have a second sight as her real life replicas seems to betray what is being remain hidden in the household or maybe she has just observed what was there all along in plain sight.

Petronella tries to adapt to her new life, but she is doing so without her husband's love yet he is pleasant to her.

The series was gloomily lit to reflect Nella' mood. The photography and art direction are inspired by a Vermeer or Rembrandt painting. The series was unsure whether it was a supernatural drama with shades of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca or a story of a young woman being defiant as the household's dark secrets unfold but it did feel unsatisfying.
43 out of 55 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed