THE UNDOING
US, 2020, 530 minutes, Colour.
Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant, Noah Jupe, Donald Sutherland, Edgar Ramirez, Lily Rabe, Matilda De Angelis, Edan Alexander, Michael Devine, Ismael Cruz Cordova's, Noma Dumezweni.
Directed by Susan Bier.
The Undoing is an intriguing television series. It is directed by Oscar-winning Danish Dir, Susan beer (open Hearts, Brothers, Things we Lost in the Fire, The Night Manager).
The focus is on a family living in New York City, the father British,, played by Hugh grant, the mother American, grace, Nicole Kidman, with the young son, Henry, the very talented no are captured who has appeared in so many films at a young age. Donald Sutherland plays Grace’s father and Edgar Ramirez is an investigating Detective.
A woman is murdered brutally. She has been eccentric in her behaviour, has encountered Grace at a meeting of parents preparing for a social, seems attached to Jonathan. Jonathan is under suspicion and disappears.
There are quite a number of flashbacks illustrating the life and behaviour of the dead woman, her Hispanic husband, also under suspicion, and the young son who found her body.
There is also the preparation for the court case, with no matter doom is weighing in as the toughest of defence attorneys.
There are continued shifts in the plot, suspicions about Jonathan, indications of innocence, something which he strongly defends.
It is in a final episode that the truth is revealed, shocking in its way, and a realisation that a sociopath can be charming, sympathetic, but is narcissistic and amoral/immoral in behaviour.
1. The title? The portrait of the Fraser family? Difficulties, revelations, undoing?
2. Television miniseries, six episodes, the dramatic ending of each, leading onto the next? The cumulative effect?
3. The New York setting, homes and apartments, affluent school, mansion by the sea, interiors? Art galleries? The public spaces, the law courts, interiors? The musical score?
4. The establishing of the central characters: Grace, social background, affluent father, 14 years of marriage, 12-year-old son, school committees and meetings, her practice, the aggressive client, the gay clients and their problems? Establishing her credentials as a psychologist? Jonathan, his work as a doctor, with children, cancers, the flashbacks to his gentleness with the children? Going to socials? The bond with Grace and with Henry? Henry, 12, going to school, the bonding with each of his parents?
5. The auction committee, Eva and her wanting to be present, seemingly weak, dependent on Grace, breast feeding the baby in the group, reactions? The auction itself, the items, the high prices, Eva and her approaching Grace, the previous meeting at the baths, her standing naked? Thanking Grace, kissing her? Grace leaving and walking? Jonathan and his emergency?
6. Miguel, his father, the little baby, Miguel going to his mother’s studio, discovering the body? The brutality of the death? Suspects?
7. Jonathan, allegedly at a meeting, Grace, anxiety, phone calls, his phone at home, her ringing? Jonathan suddenly reappearing, Grace at her father’s house, his explanation, her reaction, fear, ringing the police, his arrest? Henry’s reaction?
8. The detectives, their work, questioning, the pursuit of the investigation, questioning Grace, suspicions? Evidence, DNA and the paternity issue? Grace on the footage walking near the studio?
9. Grace and her father, his wealth, going to stay with him, his dislike of Jonathan, their discussions, his saying she was too focused on Jonathan, his explanation of his own marriage and its failures, Grace upset? His grandfather attitude towards Henry, supporting him?
10. Jonathan, in prison, the interview with Grace, her hesitations, persuading her father to put up the bail, his visit to Jonathan and confrontation? Jonathan and his aggression in the yard, the fight?
11. Franklin recommending Hayley, Grace going to see her, her strong stances and personality? Checking everyone out? Her decision to take the case? Her defence plan? Relying on Jonathan and his personality? The various meetings, the continued revelations, Hayley taken by surprise?
12. Grace, her friendship with Julia, support, the school, the phone calls, the walks – and Grace’s final confiding in Julia, Jonathan as narcissistic, the impact in the court?
13. Henry, dealing with the situation, at school, the encounter with Miguel, the discussions with the principal, Franklin and going to see him, the pressure on the principal for Henry to stay? Henry and the visits to his father? His father getting out of prison, the bonding, the promises?
14. Grace, her hesitations, her psychological background, reading and misreading Jonathan? Meeting with him? The sexual encounter after the death of Eva? The story about the death of the dog, Henry wanting a dog, the explanation? Henry quoting it, Jonathan upset, Grace ringing Jonathan’s mother?
15. The impact of the phone call with Jonathan’s mother, the death of his sister, no grief, no responsibility, leaving home, no empathy?
16. Miguel and his father, the father upset, his relationship with his wife, love, violence, the flashbacks? Miguel as his alibi? His stalking Grace, her aggression? Jonathan going to the house, holding the baby, the father’s presence in the court, his outbursts? Miguel and his being questioned by Hayley?
17. Grace, not wanting to understand, changing her mind, after the phone call with Jonathan’s mother, talking with Julia? Arranging the questions – and her gradually speaking the truth, about Jonathan and his lack of empathy, narcissistic, sociopathic behaviour? His outburst? Hayley and her anger with the judge? The objections to the prosecutor?
18. The jury, Franklin and Grace coming to the court, Jonathan taking Henry, the car drive and the promises, his erratic moods, the flashbacks and the visualising of the killing? Dangerous driving, stopping, on the bridge, the helicopter and Grace running, rescuing Henry? Jonathan’s arrest?
19. Audiences who wanted a twist in the mystery? Audiences who were satisfied in seeing the portrait of and the unmasking of a sociopath?
