I tried watching ep 1 and despite alot of eye candy sets and costumes, I got bored half way through. But about a month later, I tried it again and to my surprise I actually started to enjoy the mysterious characters and storyline. Plus I've been Juno Temple fan for a long time now, she's a bizarre gal, with a strange, unfamiliar type of beauty and quite a versatile actress. So I give this a 6 because of the story and liking Juno, and make it a seven for the really lovely eye candy of the sets and costumes. :D.
39 Reviews
Not just an exercise in style and quirk
lawrencep011 August 2020
This production mainly concentrates on style and quirk rather than substance. I am not familiar with the source material, and was mainly watching this out of interest as I had heard of it, but I would have thought this aspect was in keeping. Just taking it on its own terms it had an off-beat quirky feel which I liked. Initially, all the characters are presented somewhat superficially and many of them simply as caricatures in an exercise in style. However, as times goes on some of them break out of this and become more interesting and engaging. One cares what is going to happen to them. Some continue as caricatures but are there to be played off or as a backdrop for the more rounded characters. The ambience of an apparently decadent Tangiers of the time sets off the characters perfectly.
There is definitely a story arc and character development. I cannot understand the reviews denying this. I can only presume they didn't watch the whole series.
I can understand the gratuitous quirk and eroticism putting some people off early on, although this element is surely clear from the trailers and description so not sure why they would be watching it in the first place. If it does not put you off then I would definitely recommend watching this to the end before making up one's mind. It is not brilliant or profound but has charm and I think it all makes sense as a whole.
There is definitely a story arc and character development. I cannot understand the reviews denying this. I can only presume they didn't watch the whole series.
I can understand the gratuitous quirk and eroticism putting some people off early on, although this element is surely clear from the trailers and description so not sure why they would be watching it in the first place. If it does not put you off then I would definitely recommend watching this to the end before making up one's mind. It is not brilliant or profound but has charm and I think it all makes sense as a whole.
No Expectations
kelliegwest4 June 2021
omg i love it
roger_20205 August 2020
good
Headturner130 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Like if Tarantino and stone had a baby. I never read any of the books and I put off watching but ran out of things. I must say it is a hodgepodge of randomness but I like it. It's weird and crazy. Whoever said the acting is awful and cartoonish it's supposed to be! the only really truly BAD actor is the father. I'm on episode 5 I believe and I'm enjoying it now that may change after I've finished but thus far pretty good, weird watch.
Edit: I change my rating to a 5. The ending was horrible! What even was that? Two women who were taken advantage by men getting boring revenge? The best part of it was Bolero playing in the background throughout.
Underwhelming - Average at best, but mostly nonsense draped in more nonsense. No real storyline, lots of subplots that don't make sense and gratuitous kink
WhateverIWant294 August 2020
It's not worth the watch unless you're simply trying to kill time. The trailer looked amazing, yet the whole thing was very anti-climactic and underwhelming. Not much that means anything actually happens. I see what they tried to do and it just didn't quite work. Visually it's nice to look at, the colours, contextual setting, backdrop and clothes. The erotic element is also intriguing, but its not enough to carry the show, which doesn't really make sense. There is not enough character development of the main characters and lots of caricature acting/portrayal of the characters - have to assume it's intentional but didn't stop me cringing. Also, there are lots of subplots littered all over that aren't developed properly. The whole thing is a bit all over the place with a few "taboo" and kink scenes to shock or titillate... but most didn't really make sense or help advance the story. Overall it was just nonsense, then more nonsense upon nonsense. Could have been a really good drama, but sadly fell flat.
Wanted to score higher
emmalongshanks19 August 2020
Peak Mediocrity
donwan476 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This awful show is a prime example of style over substance, it looks great, beautifully filmed, costumes are wonderful, Tangier looks exotic, and the locations and sets are sublime.
Sadly that's where any praise must end. The story is trash and most of the acting belongs on daytime soap opera.
It labels itself as erotic drama but it lacks all eroticism and drama. The central character, ably played by Juno Temple, never experiences a grand sexual awakening nor experiments in any way that could be described as taboo or kinky.
Why does that matter, you ask? It matters because that's how the show has marketed. Anais Nin wrote some wonderful, and usually semi autobiographical erotica but this show discards all of that in favour of mediocrity and plays it very safe.
There are two scenes where we see a sexual side to the lead character but both end abruptly and go nowhere.
What is billed as an erotic drama bizarrely slides into a spy story about arms dealers.
Definitely one to avoid.
What is billed as an erotic drama bizarrely slides into a spy story about arms dealers.
Definitely one to avoid.
Erotic, psychotic, arresting!
Hallelujah28911 July 2021
What a gem! I've read Anais Nin's works which this show is loosely adapted from. She writes many short works of erotic fiction that mixes death, sex and taboo, and all of this together forms a heightened, visceral and sometimes chilling grip.
I think perhaps this work takes the spirit of the author's work, perhaps some hints, themes and anecdotes, and makes its own story that could last for this six hour, six part Starz miniseries. Personally, respond to some criticism here, I felt that there was a solid enough plot. Sure some parts are a bit rough hewn in detail but I got the gist.
If the plot is wanting anyway, the characters and acting are very strong, and I think that was more Anais Nin's strong suit anyway. Very good actors who I've never seen before (for the most part) but who I was impressed with. Some unusual and spectacular casting with lesser known star talent.
The cinematography is sometimes elegant, muted and suave, and at other times colorful to the tipping point of garish, and then during the drug induced scenes, so potent that the vivid colors turn violent. But all in all I enjoyed the balance of the two and the expressionistic look.
I thoroughly enjoyed the series, but yes the characters were sometimes quite strange and unlikable, though complex. Perhaps on balance, taking back what I said, there was a bit too much psychological and cinematographic violence. However it did very much all belong together. A hard series to rate, but probably more reason to watch it for that reason.
The ending I wasn't sure about it, and wish the finish was stronger, and that's probably what does it for my rating why I'm rating an 8 instead of 9.
For me, this series has style, substance talent and also originality, and i recommend it!
I think perhaps this work takes the spirit of the author's work, perhaps some hints, themes and anecdotes, and makes its own story that could last for this six hour, six part Starz miniseries. Personally, respond to some criticism here, I felt that there was a solid enough plot. Sure some parts are a bit rough hewn in detail but I got the gist.
If the plot is wanting anyway, the characters and acting are very strong, and I think that was more Anais Nin's strong suit anyway. Very good actors who I've never seen before (for the most part) but who I was impressed with. Some unusual and spectacular casting with lesser known star talent.
The cinematography is sometimes elegant, muted and suave, and at other times colorful to the tipping point of garish, and then during the drug induced scenes, so potent that the vivid colors turn violent. But all in all I enjoyed the balance of the two and the expressionistic look.
I thoroughly enjoyed the series, but yes the characters were sometimes quite strange and unlikable, though complex. Perhaps on balance, taking back what I said, there was a bit too much psychological and cinematographic violence. However it did very much all belong together. A hard series to rate, but probably more reason to watch it for that reason.
The ending I wasn't sure about it, and wish the finish was stronger, and that's probably what does it for my rating why I'm rating an 8 instead of 9.
For me, this series has style, substance talent and also originality, and i recommend it!
Great Characters, Too Short
lyingdownflat2 August 2021
Style over substance.
MongoLloyd9 August 2020
Juno Temple drew me to this series which I ended up scrubbing through once it became apparent there was SO much fluff and filler in the narrative. The sumptuous production design can be overwhelming and make some viewers forget this I'd imagine, but the long drawn out scenes that did nothing to move the story forward, especially the extended homo-erotic scenarios, extended kink, and extended conversation about unrelated nonsense all become tiresome.
The odd, sometimes ugly cinematography can be jarring, with oddly placed foreground elements and splashes of vivid out of focus color everywhere, while many scenes are reminiscent of the Mexican soap opera aesthetic with garish, unflattering lighting of character's faces.
Performances are quite good, but I cannot figure out why people keep casting Costabile in strong, overbearing man roles. It's interesting that Temple is always accurately typecast but directors seem to think Costabile can be something other than what he is.
The odd, sometimes ugly cinematography can be jarring, with oddly placed foreground elements and splashes of vivid out of focus color everywhere, while many scenes are reminiscent of the Mexican soap opera aesthetic with garish, unflattering lighting of character's faces.
Performances are quite good, but I cannot figure out why people keep casting Costabile in strong, overbearing man roles. It's interesting that Temple is always accurately typecast but directors seem to think Costabile can be something other than what he is.
Short and spicy
michael-gernert9 August 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this short and spicy series. Everything about it feels grand, some might find it too cheesy and/or weird, shocking, whatever, and I'd understand. I don't know the original short stories but that might actually be helpful. Clearly, it's not everyone's cup of tea but the abysmal rating is completely undeserved.
Almost great
steveantonchuk16 April 2021
Love the colors, cinematography, and the acting. It's a very vivid pallet and beautiful to watch.
Unfortunately, it's a bit slow and there are just too many sub plots. Easy to lose interest.
Juno Temple is excellent, as she always is.
Unfortunately, it's a bit slow and there are just too many sub plots. Easy to lose interest.
Juno Temple is excellent, as she always is.
Begins artfully and promises sensuality, devolves into a Tarantino-esque mess. If only LITTLE BIRDS knew what it wanted to be.
cruzarts-739466 August 2020
In the first few episodes, LITTLE BIRDS is a feast for the eys and ears: the musical track is astonishing and the interiors look like classic Miami Beach hotels lit, populated and dressed with extravagant nostalgia.
Unfortunately, what looks like a journey of self-discovery and sexual awakening turns into commentary on privilege and abusive attitudes. But that still isn't where this six-parter is headed.
The last two episodes throw off the glorious glitz and sink into some strange mire of world politics and abuse of power... and frankly, it's a bore.
The two trailers I saw won't reach the audience who will appreciate the final episodes. The final episodes disgusted me, who was fascinated by the trailers and featurettes.
In a nutshell, this series was like being invited to an extravagant burlesque show, then watching bare knuckle fist fighters take over the stage.
Unfortunately, what looks like a journey of self-discovery and sexual awakening turns into commentary on privilege and abusive attitudes. But that still isn't where this six-parter is headed.
The last two episodes throw off the glorious glitz and sink into some strange mire of world politics and abuse of power... and frankly, it's a bore.
The two trailers I saw won't reach the audience who will appreciate the final episodes. The final episodes disgusted me, who was fascinated by the trailers and featurettes.
In a nutshell, this series was like being invited to an extravagant burlesque show, then watching bare knuckle fist fighters take over the stage.
How dull, how pretty
speaktomenow6 August 2020
It looks great but it's slow and dull. I fee a bit duped by the use of Anais Nin's name. I've read the books and this ain't it. They've spent a wad of cash on the production values but wow is the script and acting boring.
Sad because all this effort will be for nothing and will be forgotten by the end of 2020. No one will remember this.
Tiring to commit to a whole ep let alone the whole season. So much glamour and so little substance.
Sad because all this effort will be for nothing and will be forgotten by the end of 2020. No one will remember this.
Tiring to commit to a whole ep let alone the whole season. So much glamour and so little substance.
A bit of a let down.
tinkyanderson21 August 2020
I had high hopes for this show based on the trailer but in the end it felt like a eating candyfloss - sickly sweet and yet unfulfilling. The script/dialogue was embarrassingly bad at times and I found myself cringing. The backdrop, supposedly 'heightened' didn't always pay off and bordered on the laughable. Sadly not worth the watch I feel.
Underrated...
Veritas9910 August 2020
Atmosphere
NeutralWord8 August 2020
Interesting
oliviapaige-4155725 September 2020
Pretentious Crap
dcarroll746 August 2020
Awful, awful, awful. Someone mistook Anais Nin for F. Scott Fitzgerald. I glazed over the first 10 minutes of episode 1, and dumped it. If it was marketed as fertiliser, it would grow nothing. A waste of time for everyone, and a disgrace to Anais' writings.
Plods Along
oldhippie-7301017 April 2021
Very colourful, but extremely dull.
msallows12 August 2020
Powerful and thrilling - this show is something else...
Fay0919 August 2020
The perfect series for this summer - vibrant, sumptuous and sultry. Juno and Yumna are as irresistible as the kaleidoscopic scenes behind them. From the first ep you are pulled into their polar opposite worlds and the fantastical delights that consume them. It's intoxicating and moreish. And the scene with the bird is one of the most powerful and intense scenes I've ever watched.... Juno is on fire.
Don't waste your time. . .
barriecree30 December 2020
You know a programme is going to be bad when the main scene setting credits read 'New York 1955' and then the camera pans to a 1957 Chevrolet.
This kind of lazy content continues throughout the first episode - after that I gave up and switched over.
This kind of lazy content continues throughout the first episode - after that I gave up and switched over.
Beautiful and complex
cassandrasturdy12 August 2020
Like watching a cross between a F. Scott Fitzgerald and Hunter S.T. novel come to life. Beautiful scenes and so much subtext. Complex layers in the story and great acting. The themes of romance, gender inequality, and family roles are framed against the backdrop of society and corrupt politics. If you like art house movies and great literature then you'll love this.
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