BIG LITTLE LIES 2

US, 2019, 7X 50 minutes, Colour.
Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Zoe Kravitz, Laura Dern, Meryl Streep, Adam Scott, James Tupper, Alexander Skarsgaard, Jeffrey Nordling, Kathryn Newton, P.J.Byrne, Gia Carides, Robin Weigert, Douglas Smith, Denis O' Hare, Crystal Fox, Martin Donovan, Joseph Cross.
Directed by Andrea Arnold.

The initial television series of Big Little Lies was very well received, critically and by the public. Hence a second series.

The books were written by Lianne Moriarty and adapted for the screen by television producer David E.Kelly. The first series was directed by Jean- Marc Valee. The second series was directed by British director, Andrea Arnold.

The second series begins where the first left off, with the death of Perry (Alexander Skarsgaard who appears in many of the flashbacks). There has been a cover-up of the event by the five women friends, claiming that his death was an accident. At the beginning of each episode, there are flashbacks to this sequence and its effect on each of the women, some having nightmares, others withdrawing.

The setting is Monterey, affluent, focus on the homes, marriages and the difficulties, the local school and the children attending.

The principal cast all reappear, effective in their respective roles. Reese Witherspoon is the dominant and dominating Madeline, Adam Scott her husband, Kathryn Newton her daughter. There is a central focus on Nicole Kidman as Celeste, widow of Perry, trying to shield her children. One of the achievements of the second series is the appearance by Meryl Streep, looking somewhat dowdy, but something of a wicked witch of the west personality, as Perry’s mother, her interfering with her daughter-in-law, wanting custody of her grandson’s, taking Celeste to court.

She also has complications with Jane, Shailene Woodley, who was raped by Perry and her bringing up her son, the secret of his paternity exposed.

There are also further complications with Laura Dern’s character, her husband being arrested for financial fraud and this putting a dent in her ambitions. Zoe Kravitz, who actually pushed Perry to his death trying to protect the others, has become withdrawn, alienated from her husband, with a visit from her dominating mother (Crystal Fox) and her rather more passive father (Martin Donovan).

Audiences know that there will be plenty of strong characterisations, some intense interactions, the picturing of life in Monterey, but with some critique and some parody.


1. The popularity of the first series? California locations, the coast, the characters and situations, families, secrets, murder?

2. Monterey, the affluent town, the coast and the beaches, homes, school, police precincts, socials? The musical score?

3. The opportunity for more? Taking up the crisis at the end of the first series? The introduction of Meryl Streep?

4. The continued flashbacks, memories, the haunting of the main characters?

5. Perry and his death, his background, violent, Celeste, the boys? The rape of Jane? Her son? The police, the lies, the cover up, the effect of keeping the secrets?

6. The picture of Celeste, her love for her two boys, her nightmares, getting the boys to school, the school experience, the boys and the violence, the influence of their father? Her going to the psychiatrist, her fears, resistance? The help from the psychiatrist? The friendship with Madeline, confiding in her? Driving and the crash? Interactions with Renata, with Jane and the secret about the rape, Ziggy? The boys learning the truth? The interactions with Renata? Bonnie, her remoteness, her fears? Celeste and her behaviour with random men?

7. The arrival of Mary Louise, her hostility, sanctifying her son, unwilling to face the truth? The visits, blunt language, love for the children, hallowing their father’s memory, the clashes with Madeline, not liking each other, blunt talk? Befriending Jane, the importance of her grandson? Thinking of getting a new apartment, the discussions with Renata, hostility? Wanting custody, going to her lawyer, the process, the hearings, the case, Celeste and her strong defence? Showing the video of Perry’s violence, taken by the boys?

8. Madeline, strong-minded, assertive? Her concern about the other women? About Bonnie? Her daughter and Nathan and Bonnie bringing her up? And, concealing the truth from him? The affair? Chloe, gossiping about the boys and paternity? Celeste confiding in her, Jane and her discussions, Renata? Her work, the apartments? The interactions with Mary Louise? The revelation of her behaviour, Ed and his reaction, keeping a distance, the confrontations? The effect on Ed? The issue of her daughter going to college, the arguments, the reconciliation? Madeline changing?

9. Jane, her age, memories, ordinary, bond with her son, life in the town, Ziggy going to school? The interactions with Mary Louise? The aquarium, Ziggy and the guide, going on dates, the surf, a bond? Telling him the truth or not?

10. Bonnie, the facts of Perry’s death, her withdrawing, Nathan, her not loving him, her relationship with her daughter? The significance her mother, the flashbacks and her mother’s domination? The superstitions? Her mother’s collapse, in hospital? Bonnie, walking alone, brooding? Eventually speaking the truth to her mother? Her father’s visit, his explaining his attempts to protect her? Her realisation of the truth, speaking to her husband?

11. Renata, in herself, importance, dominating, business sense, spoiling her daughter, assertive at school, attacking the teachers, the gossip, her daughter and the party? Gordon, life with him, her doing the cover story for the magazine, the suddenness of his arrest, her reaction, desperation, going to the court, her anger about the money and her lifestyle? The interactions with Mary Louise? Going to the hearings, her presence could? Support, disappointment with her husband? His character, failure in business, playing with his trains
and her attack on him? Her future?

12. The background of school, the principal, discipline, the classes, the teacher and the issues about global warming, Renata and her objections, the meeting, Madeline speaking?

13. The detective, continued investigations about the death? Mary Louise and her demands?

14. The court, the lawyers, Mary Louise and the briefing, Celeste and her lawyer, dissatisfaction, thinking her to quiet? The lawyer’s strategy? Celeste assertive, the video, the effect on Mary Louise?

15. The end, the women talking together, acknowledging the cover-up, going to the police station?