"Big Little Lies", Episode 1, was a fun watch and left me wanting more. The chemistry between the actors is good and we're pulled into the characters' different backgrounds and learn each has different challenges in their private lives. The location, Monterey, adds to the ambiance of the plot, much the way Bodega Bay enhanced Hitchcock's "The Birds". It's hard not to be swept into the mood of mystery and suspense when we see tumultuous waves and dramatic vistas and windswept cypress. Great music selection, too. The dialogue keeps the momentum going. Based on this episode I think this series will be a winner. It's the kind of episode where you grab a glass of Pinot Noir and a blanket and re-watch it because you're going to catch something you missed the first time you watched it. I like that it challenges me in a "film noir" kind of way. I'm looking forward to the next episode!
13 Reviews
Stellar starcast
yatinsrivastava15 December 2018
This television series manages to achieve a casting coup of sorts with Shailene Woodely, Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon in the lead.
Reese Witherspoon (Madeline) talks her way to obnoxiousness halfway through the episode,before I realised that Madeline with all her character flaws is so relatable.
Shailene Woodley does a terrific job.
Nicole Kidman doesn't get her due in the pilot episode,but she does shine with her nuanced acting craft in the bits that are offered to her.
What I really liked about the show was it's production value and the location (gawwd it made me wanna hit the beach)
It was a great pilot.
PS- I used to think that this is HBO's take on Pretty Little Liars, it's kinda similar but you should definitely give it a try,if just for the sandy beaches.
I Am Hooked! Give Me More!
gab-147121 November 2020
Big Little Lies hooked me from the very first shot. The show has an interesting premise. It is advertised as a murder drama wrapped around several domestic fronts. At first glance, the show has the elements to be pure trash. After all, it is based off one of those airport fodder stories. Within the first fifteen seconds, you know the show goes above and beyond. Season 1 is helmed by Jean-Marc Vallee, the man behind Wild and The Dallas Buyers Club. The cast is A-grade, led by Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, and so much more. The narrative is driven in a unique way led by flashbacks and interwoven investigation interviews of supporting characters. While the "murder" may be the main draw, the story is about the characters and their families and the type of lives they lead. I love the soundtrack and the beautiful California cinematography. Any shot of crashing waves at a beach works wonders for me!
In "Somebody's Dead," we are introduced to everyone. Madeleine McKenzie (Reese Witherspoon) leads a very busy life as a go-getter and someone who wants to know everyone's affairs. She is saddled with two daughters; a teenager who is underappreciative and a first-grader growing up to fast. She is married to Ed (Adam Scott), a nice enough guy. Her ex-husband, Nathan (James Tupper) is now married to a super-hot yoga teacher, Bonnie (Zoe Kravitz). Her enemy is another working mother, the wealthy Renata Klein (Laura Dern) who "recently joined the board of PayPal." Her best friend is Celeste Wright (Nicole Kidman), a former lawyer. She looks like a model and is married to someone much younger, Perry (Alexander Skarsgard). Their relationship displays a hint of domestic violence. Then there is the young, single Jane (Shailene Woodley). She and her son Ziggy (Iain Armitage) recently moved to Monterey for unknown reasons, although flashbacks point out that she may have had a dark past. Madeleine takes a liking for Jane.
On the very first day of school, Renata's daughter accuses Ziggy of attacking her. This "attack" pits families against one another as tension begins to build amongst them. This is the prelude with culminated in the murder of an unknown figure at the school's fundraiser. Who was murdered? Who was the murderer? How did it lead to this? What or who is Jane running awary from? This is what the next six episodes will answer.
Overall, this is a very strong, well-written pilot episode. Right away, you are able to connect with these families with all their different quirks and styles. Any drama with a strong female presence is good in my book. For now, the men are relegated to support systems, but they will have a role in the final outcome. With the pedigree attached, you can expect amazing, deep performances. Witherspoon and Kidman are already excellent inhabiting these characters. I love the narrative style, the way the characters are introduced, and the music/cinematography. Also, the tension! One final note: the first-grade teacher handled this situation in a horrible way! Ouch! Anyhow, I am officially hooked!
My Grade: A
"Well Acted, Tensed And A Great Way To Start A Series"
parthpant1915 September 2017
From the moment "Big Little Lies" starts- you are hooked- waves crashing, moms driving while an another scene has flashbacks of a gruesome murder. I was hooked from the very first scene- the slow build up which slowly leads to a tensed moment and that too involving moms of 1st graders was something really appreciating. The characters were introduced cleverly which leaves you wanting to know more about them and thus maintaining suspense. This is going to be a great series.
The cast is awesome- Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, Alexander Skarsgår who give in extremely tensed performances with so much realism.Hats off to these guys.
A very good pilot to a seemingly good series.Hoping for the best.
The cast is awesome- Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, Alexander Skarsgår who give in extremely tensed performances with so much realism.Hats off to these guys.
A very good pilot to a seemingly good series.Hoping for the best.
Instantly gets you addicted
jetkot23 April 2018
Nicole Kidman is gorgeous. Reese witherspoon plays her character flawlessly. She draws you into her world. She is so popular in this town that you really get fascinated by her. Shailene Woodley looks very pretty and acts really well. The screenplay and direction is fantastic. Your eyes are glued to the screen and you fall in love with the well sketched and well enacted characters. Simply fantastic.
Monterey Moms
safenoe12 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I'm finally catching up with Big Little Lies, after having watched The Undoing, also written by David E. Kelley. Anyway, this opener keeps you guessing big time, with cuts to the police interview room. Definitely keeps you wanting more. Being a big fan of Diagnosis Murder, I immediately recognised Madeline's beachside house as the one used in Diagnosis Murder.
A massive start
00Yasser26 October 2020
Decent but not hooked yet.
lillydav1011 February 2020
So far it's okay, but I'm far from being hooked just yet. Bit slow and drawn out in places and I found my mind wandering, which when I am enjoying a show or film it wouldn't normally be doing.
Let's check out episode 2 🙂
Seems Good
Littleman958 November 2020
Moms and Childrens
AvionPrince1621 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I dont know what really to think about this first episode except that we had a nice introductions to all the characters and we have also that little mystery arround them : who was killed ? And who killed during that show. ? We basically see everything before that event and its interesting to let us see who could do that kind of thing and showed also others POV on the different characters of the show fon their daily life and with their kids . Pretty interesting for now but need to see more to really judge but it clearly have potential for sure .
Dont really know how it will go an. Who was killed ? And for why ?Money ,sex,fame ? A nice episode that introduced small amount of things that keep us interested.
Dont really know how it will go an. Who was killed ? And for why ?Money ,sex,fame ? A nice episode that introduced small amount of things that keep us interested.
Somebody's Bored!!
Laqshayaroraofficial29 August 2021
Amazing cast, but this episode is so boring, so slow, I thought I will never be able to finish it in my whole life. Today, I finally finished this episode and after that finished this season 1, This show is really awesome, finale episode is the best. Must watch!
Very disappointed!!
Marynewcomb201325 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
As a fan of Alexander's, we thought this would be a pretty good show but we were completely wrong with this pilot episode!! Alexander was actually the only good thing about this & this show does has a great cast of actresses!!! They fell flat big time!!! They just drew this episode out way too long!! It's like they wrote this with the only intent of dragging it way out!! The ladies did their best trying to drag it out but as I said, they bombed!!! Hopefully this gets going soon in the next episode as the seasons on 7 long!!!
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