There's something very odd about this show. I like the 30s feel of it...but the 2 lead actors are very BORING, colorless, STIFF actors. Dot is equally BORING; and Essie Davis tries oh so hard to be so cool and with-it. The only other interesting character is the lesbian lady-doctor.
shareInteresting observation. It is all written and centered around Essie Davis' character. No one is allowed to outshine her. A turnabout from the norm where the females leads are boring, colorless eye candy for male viewers? A question rather than an opinion.
shareI don't think the point is sexism, or lack thereof. I would argue the central character doesn't 'outshine' anything. If a film or series has poorly written, developed or acted supporting characters, it'll fail under the weight of that alone regardless of gender.
Within the past month or two, I've watched the second series of Bletchley Circle and all of Bomb Girls on Netflix. One could argue they contain no male characters of noteworthy interest. Another, Dicte, has two well-developed supporting male characters. All three are focused on strong women. All three are brilliant.
Those writing, directing and acting in this series seem to find Miss Fisher more amusing than anyone should. I think the current IMDb rating is unwarranted. But if it makes you feel better, blame my opinion on sexism.
i find dot to be charming, some people will find that boring. on general, i like the characters, they gel well together
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I've just finished the fifth episode on Netflix. I enjoyed the first episode or two. But there isn't any character development. They lack depth. The stories lack sophistication and acting frequently become sadly exaggerated, the hallmark of poor direction.
I should have loved it. That's why I watched five episodes. I'm quitting now. It is boring and colorless-not just the male leads.
There's something very odd about this post. Nothing is boring in this show. First of all, I believe this is the 1920s. The leads and supporting actors all match up. Jack is great with Phryne, as Dot is with Hugh. What shines in this series are the costumes and locations - the sets. Nothing falls flat here at all and the actors' voices are lyrical and lovely. And everything is, literally and figuratively, very colorful.
shareWell, it's a "20s" feel, not 1930s.
I think the male actors are wonderful. The Inspector is of course a matter of fact guy. He's a police supervisor. His sidekick is interesting...a great physique, a boxer, tongue tied with women, earnest, ambitious, interested in his work and in love with Dot.
Dot isn't boring so much that she is a different kind of person. I don't find her boring at all. She is the quintessential caring woman. The one you want around when you're sick or dying or in need of help, because she is compassionate, sweet natured, uncomplaining, and will do anything for you. That's not boring. Even if she were, that's no reason not to include her in the show, since such people exist in real life. Sidekicks are usually more boring than the stars.
The show would be boring if all the characters were alike. What makes the show good is that the characters are so different and portrayed well by the actors.
It's the 20s, not 30s. Nathan Page's acting is subtle, but far from stiff. His facial expressions are incredible, especially the increasingly incendiary looks he gives to Phryne as the series has progressed.
The others are also fine actors playing their characters well. It's a great cast.
But Phryne Fisher is supposed to be outrageous and a bit scandalous for her era. So next to her, the more socially acceptable people are going to be a bit 'boring'.
I completely agree with your post. Besides, I love the "gulps" that Jack does sometimes.
I am still watching the show, but I really hope he keeps being so charming.