User reviews

What attracted me to this TV series was the cast, however even after watching the first episode i was fascinated by its soundtrack. I feel lucky to discover some great piece of music. The acting was also impressive as one can guess. I would highly recommend it, you won't regret it :)

... but didn't understand the purpose of season 2 at all.

I was on the edge of my seat for a great part of season 1, yet was on my phone for most of season 2. The whole Zoe Kravitz storyline is so slow and, frankly, uninteresting. I was glad to know, going into season 2, that we would see more of her but I just couldn't get attached to her character. It's just doom and gloom, nothing happens. I could not get to care about Laura Dern and Reese Witherspoon's issues either. Nicole Kidman's performance remains my favorite, as in season 1. She's magnificent. Meryl Streep is great in her role but again, the storyline just falls flat in my opinion.

The 8 stars are for season 1, I binged it all in ONE day. The performances were ourstanding. I really wish they would have stopped there. I genuinely don't understand the purpose of season 2.

Exquisite. 'Big Little Lies' takes us to an incredible journey with its emotional and intriguing storyline. The characters are so thoroughly and thoughtfully developed. Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern gave breathtaking performances. Directing, screenplay, photography, everything is brilliantly done. I would deeply recommend it.

HBO's new limited series, Big Little Lies, is simply outstanding in every way. The casting is perfect - Reese Witherspoon as Madeline, Shailene Woodley as Jane and the always fabulous Nicole Kidman as Celeste - three very different mothers residing in the ultra wealthy enclave of Monterey, California. The show also focuses on Renata (a tense, edgy performance by Laura Dern and the families of the four main characters. James Tupper, Adam Scott, James Nordling turn in great performances, but Alexander Skaarsgard really shines as Perry, Celeste's troubled, volatile husband.

Without giving away the plot, the show is part is Desperate Housewives part Knots Landing and part Secrets and Lies in that it's a drama, a soap and a mystery, all rolled into one delicious package.

Beautiful cinematography and an amazing soundtrack add to the enjoyment. I just binge-watched the first three episodes and they left me wanting more. Just watch it - it's the show you've been waiting for...

I almost gave up on it after the lacklustre and uncreative beginning, but then the clever structure and intricate story-line kicked-in, followed by the interesting characters who are slowly taking form. Their purpose and meaning to the unfolding mystery is becoming evident and damn fascinating. All thanks to the performers who have already got this perfectly down-pat in the first episode, and that allows the story to take shape and meaning for the remainder of the series.

So far this series is more than about fighting mums and a "who-done-it". What is so prevalent in the first episode is the underlying themes of parenthood, marital relationships and school-mom politics. I'm sure the writers will have more juice to add as the series progresses.

For now, it's the mystery that has got me hooked. And to heighten my viewing pleasure, it is the development of the characters and the conflicts surrounding them, and also within, that makes me want to watch it that little bit longer, hopefully right to the very end of the series that is slowly peeling away the hypocrisy and the nastiness of an affluent suburb/town!

I have HBO and NEVER watch it. I'm not a big fan of what apparently many other people like to watch. But when I saw the commercial for this I was intrigued. I never heard of the book, but highly respect many of the lead actors so I figured if they were involved it couldn't totally suck. Speaking of suck, I was completely sucked in on the first episode. I don't know why but I found this show completely and utterly mesmerizing, all the way down to the music and cinematography. Everyone involved in this from top to bottom hit it out of the park. I've never experienced this kind of life-style (ie mommy, daddy and school politics) but one of my clients who watches the show and lives in the general area said they nailed her experience when her kids were in school.

To put in perspective, I usually work when I watch TV, don't really even 'watch' it, just background noise. Not only did I stop working to watch this, I ran the last few minutes in slow motion to fully absorb what happened. I can't give a show much more praise than that! You'll understand the scene I'm talking about when you see it.

I am a big fan of Liane Moriarty and when I read this book I couldn't put it down. Reese Witherspoon has done the book justice as I understand she has produced the series.

It's not often you read a book and the pictures that you form in your mind suddenly become real through a great translation to the screen. Although the book was originally set on the Northern beaches of Sydney the translation to Monterey California is perfect. David E Kelly has written the screenplay and has done an excellent job and dare I say taken a great story and enhanced it beautifully.

The casting is absolutely perfect with Reese as Maddy, Nicole Kidman as Celeste, Laura Dern as Renata and Shailene as Jane. Great choice with Zoe Kravitz as well.

Any parent and especially any mother will really relate to the story which keeps you guessing until the very end. AAA+++

Season One: 9.5/10

Themes: Drama, Crime, Mystery, Mothers, Spousal Abuse, Bullying, Murder, Sexual Assault, Sisterhood, Marriage, Childcare, Cheating & Gossip.

Review: Honestly, this was absolutely brilliant. Not only was the acting superb, the plot, suspense-building and pacing were also phenomenal. I would say this whole thing was very close to perfection. The characters were all extremely interesting and intriguing as well; they each have their own story to tell, and none fail to deliver in telling them. Another thing I really liked was the bond these women formed with each other: it was so natural and impactful. I loved everything about this series. It was so good.

Top five characters: 1) Madeline Martha Mackenzie, 2) Renata Klein, 3) Jane Chapman, 4) Ed Mackenzie and 5) Ziggy Chapman.

Overall rating reflects how pointless and drawn out the second season is. First season was excellent and I binged it hard, but stop there don't bother with the second.

I didn't see this until after the Emmys, but wondered what all of the fuss was about. So, I watched the entire series - and still wonder what the fuss was all about. The characters are so stereotypical California chic that it was almost funny. All, but one, ultra wealthy and all of the leads are gorgeous. No uglies allowed. I found it hard to be very interested in any of them, and to find much sympathy for them as well. Lots of self-absorption in every episode. The director had lots of filler shots of surf hitting the beach or moody dark scenes to try to inject some suspense. There simply wasn't enough material to have made seven episodes. What story there was could have been easily, and better, presented as a feature-length film. One of the meaningful (and it is) subjects covered in this show was actually done more dramatically in the TV movie "The Burning Bed" decades ago. Some ABC network "After School Specials" covered other aspects of the story, too - and more quickly. I think the show was overpraised and awarded because a) it wasn't on network television, and b) had strong female leads who swore a lot and appeared naked. That's not enough to elevate it to classic status.

Look at the cast and people involved. HBO has Game of thrones, The Wire, Sopranos, etc. They set an extremely high expectation and this delivers. The night of was the last short series I loved like this. Its a short Mystery, that has a twist or two built in. Dark, well written and well acted. Very very good

It was a pretty much good first episode for a series giving all information and context. The cast is awesome. - good mystery -nice title - many questions - good direction .Take on ex-husbands and second wives, schoolyard scandal, and the dangerous little lies we tell ourselves just to survive People who liked the movie gone girl will surely like it . So give it a go....

The first episode established the potential here right from the start. Writing, casting and acting is on point. Great to see the cast of actors that were pulled together for the project. I hope to see more of this type of 7 episode story telling where you can get such a deep cast of actors to commit to a project that they might not otherwise be able to do if it were a typical ongoing series. In my opinion some great flawed and complex characters that aren't always what they seem on the surface (who is). In particular Reese, Nicole and Dern. In addition, the child actors, who's characters really need to support the story line, really bring it as well. Check it out.

I was late to watching this show which meant i'd heard the hype, reviews and unfortunately a few spoilers prior to watching it.

I think the acting was amazing, especially Nicole Kidman and Alexander Skarsgard. Their scenes always made me extremely nervous as I didn't know which way it was going to go.

Aside from this, I found the series a bit boring and predictable (that is perhaps because of the spoilers I had half heard beforehand) but I think even without the spoilers, the big twist at the end wasn't that much of a twist and wasn't that exciting or shocking.

Worth a watch, but not a re-watch.

It took me a while to get round to watching this, as I'd read the book. However, it was well worth it! The female cast were, without exception, absolutely brilliant. Kidman isn't normally my favourite actress, but my God, as Celeste she acted her pants off (umm, yes, well...)in BLL. Superb. The men played their parts, but were, on the whole, less convincing than the women. Exceptions were a forceful performance from Alexander Skarsgård as Celeste's husband Perry, and Adam Scott as the ineffectual but endearing Ed. Special mention should be made of the kids - Ziggy, Chloe and Abigail, in particular.

I took a star off because I wasn't wild about the way the series was kicked off - it must have been quite confusing for anyone who hasn't read the book. It also bugs me when a book is written and set in one country (Australia)then Americanized almost out of recognition. The production was excellent, no doubt about that, but it was American to the hilt and I'm rather more partial to the Australian and British production style.

I hope said producers are not tempted by the success of the series to prolong it into another season (or more). Case closed, as far as I'm concerned.

To sum up in few words Season2 is a lot of unnecessary conversations and a rehash of the previous season again and again. I'm impressed how they dragged it to seven episodes without a reasonable thing to do .