The Night Manager (2016)

The night manager of a hotel in Cairo is affected by a dramatic event, and continues on with completely changing his life trying to infiltrate the inner circle of the arms dealer who caused said event.

A dramatic miniseries with spy films elements, based on a novel by John le Carré. It starts strong, perfectly plausible, it creates the appeal for the audience through the use of well-written characters with strong traits. Unfortunately, towards the ending, it loses a bit of traction and involvement, but it doesn't completely cancel the story, it just loses some of its initial charm.

Director:  Susanne Bier   

Production:  AMC   

Creator:  David Farr   

Duration:  one miniseries of 6 episodes (1 hour each)   

With: Hugh Laurie, Tom Hiddleston, Elizabeth Debicki, Olivia Colman, Alistair Petrie, Tom Hollander, Tobias Menzies

Rating: 7/10

The Favourite (2018)

Prietenia si influenta lui Lady Sarah asupra reginei Anne este amenintata cand o noua servitoare, fosta nobila, este introdusa la curte.

Unul dintre cele mai bune filme istorice, mai ales cand este considerata maiestria neobisnuita a lui Yorgos Lanthimos. Subiectul real nu i-a permis sa exploreze unghiuri fanteziste cum pare sa ii placa de obicei, dar stilul sau se lasa simtit in multe aspecte ale cinematografiei, de la ridicolul scenelor ostentative ale vietii de la curte, exagerarea aerelor nobiliare sau figurile mofturoase ale damelor in conflict. Cele trei actrite sunt minunate, cu Olivia Colman si Rachel Weisz mai mult decat fascinante, lucru ce a generat o situatie neobisnuita in sezonul premiilor de cinema, ocazie care a vazut-o pe Olivia nominalizata ca actrita principala, iar pe Emma Stone si Rachel Wesz ca actrite secundare, desi importanta pentru naratiune si timpul pe ecran este aproape egal.

Regia:  Yorgos Lanthimos    

Cu: Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz, Nicholas Hoult

Rating: 10/10

Also read in English

Fleabag (2016–2019)

Fleabag is a young woman who lives in London, has a strange relationship with her family and is affected by the death of a close friend.

A comedy series that's more serious and tragic than it would seem at a first glance. Written by and played wonderfully by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag has something to offer to lovers of superficial comedy but also to those who love tragic under-layers without it working against any of the components. With short dialogue lines and a main character who speaks directly at the audience, the series manages to be easily accessible (and likeable) to anyone without sacrificing any of the intended depth.

Creator:  Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Duration:  2 seasons (6 short episodes each)

Production:  BBC  

With: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Sian Clifford, Olivia Colman, Jenny Rainsford, Bill Paterson, Hugh Skinner, Andrew Scott

Rating: 9/10