The Lying Life of Adults.
Italians are not like us. Their world view and sensibilities are different. This is one of the main reasons this new six part television series so engrossing to watch. It follows the life of an emerging teenager Giovanna magnetically played by Giordana Marengo. As the surrounding comfortable life she has been living with her middle class Neapolitan family begins to come into an increasingly unpleasant focus. Moody and irritable she appears to have no focus of her own. The catalyst for the beginning of her new awareness coming when she eavesdrops on a conversation her parents are having about her, Mainly centering on her failures in school and her unappealing nature. Hearing the alarming realization by the father she adores that he thinks she might be taking on not only the physical but mental characterization, his is estranged and despised sister Vittorio, a woman she has never met, Wonderfully played by Valeria Golino. Upset by what she feels is her parents real unfiltered opinion of her is she retreats to her friends with this revelation of ask if they think it is valid. After a series of machinations her father in an effort to rekindle his daughters trust agrees to take her to see his reviled sister. Despite a hostile initial meeting Giovanna eventually warms up to her on subsequent visits and her free spirited amorous world view, mainly because of its contrast to the one her parents have created and are living in. This tale is lengthy and sometimes looses its way with side stories especially in episodes 4 &5, but never its mission of Giovanna's passage. The final episode regaining its footing.
It’s worth mentioning that the 3 1/2 minute opening sequence in episode 4 with its reverse action clips is startling in its own right. Even if this is not an original subject. It a great story told in a engrossing way, a terrific cast lead by the aforementioned Giordana Marengo and deftly directed by Edoardo De Angelis from a story by the gifted celebrated writer Elenor Ferranti
500 stars. Netflix
