catnapbc

Having seen other South American series and movies, this also looked promising, especially as it was based on a true story and set in a remote part of Chile, rather than the more traditional urban areas. The acting by Francesco Melo was quite solid, apart from a few scenarios that were really misplaced, like the boxing segments. There were other unnecessary scenes and far too much emphasis on the sexual interactions between various characters. The main story of the missing girls was often lost in the many other side stories, which made it longer that needed and more complicated than necessary. The stark and bleak landscape and oppressive poverty and conditions these people lived in was hard to watch at times, and yet important to the story itself. There was enough tension and a few possible suspects that only became clear near the end. But the last episode was handled poorly with too much philosophizing by Rojas while the killer just stood there listening. Overall a very dark, sad and unflattering look at an event in Chile's recent history. The past was bad enough, and it looks like there is still room for improvement in the areas of corruption, domestic violence and gender inequality. An ok series but it could have been a bit more streamlined.

The first season was pretty solid, had decent writing and interesting characters, portrayed by lots of good actors. But the second season felt inferior in most ways, and by the two last episodes, I was glad this series ended when it did. Like so many similar crime/drama mini-series these days, what promises to be entertaining, intelligent and quite believable, gets bogged down by too many side stories and similar endings that remind one of any soap opera we're familiar with. Hugely disappointing turn of events by the last few episodes, and despite a very strong performance by Mr. Morrissey, the characters became caricatures of themselves. Not sure if the writers were the same for both seasons, but am glad there is no 3rd season to endure. Lots of loose ends, improbable scenarios (a vulnerable female who is left in the care of 3 unknown males for one), and unresolved crimes only added to the relief that this was just fiction. Apparently based on a real-life community of the author, I can only hope it was very loosely based on reality.

Kudos to the actors who are by and large doing the best they can given the sometimes very unbelievable scenarios they are in. Ewan McGregor is outstanding in this, but his character is, like much of this series, very hit and miss. It is hard to define what this series actually IS or should be. Not that it is a bad thing to be a bit 'different', but the inclusion of fantastical scenes, dreams, many flashbacks and silly scenarios made it hard to follow at times. The background music became overwhelmingly maudlin and in-your-face far too often for my liking. I don't need a soundtrack to tell me how to feel or what to anticipate. The other issue will be a huge one for many viewers - that non-white, non-Caucasian actors are playing Russians and other ethnic groups. It's a bit weird to begin with but these are actors playing roles, not a documentary that is based solely on facts. Same thing for the sumptuous foods and surroundings in a place and at a time when even the elites were not living the lifestyle shown. Again, this is part fantasy and part historical drama, so as entertainment it is ok. Not great but not the worst. Just hard to define really. And a very nebulous ending.