Rent My Brilliant Friend: Series 2 (2020)

Unmissable - My Brilliant Friend: Series 2 review by MM

Superbly acted and directed, with brilliant cinematography and haunting music. I will not reprise the storyline, which is available elsewhere.

The story, told through time, profoundly explores the human condition and the lives of several families and individuals, especially the experiences of the two women who are at the heart of the story. Very unusually, the Ferrante books lose nothing in translation to the screen (the author was involved in the film scripts), but remain just as compelling and powerful - perhaps even more so. Slow cinema at its best and for me, never a single dull moment - simply mesmerising.

Gone off the boil - My Brilliant Friend: Series 2 review by SB

The first series was excellent, the little girls who played Lila and Elena were engaging, the scenery and depiction of Naples was inspiring and seemed realistic (I have never been there) and the plot was gripping. I was looking forward to the second series to see how their story continued.

Alas the second series has really gone off the boil. Margherita Mazzucco who plays Elena brings a stilted woodeness to the part, her character seems fixed in a mixture of teenage sulky boredom with very little variation of facial expression. She hardly every smiles and gives no clue as why so many young men might find this attractive. Though there are plenty inner monologues for which one might just as well read the book. Gaia Girace as Lila is more animated and one feels more sympathy for her predicament. However none of the male characters evoke much sympathy or interest.

I will not be watching any further series.