‘The Perfect Couple’ Review: A Journey Through Wealth, Mystery, and Unfulfilled Potential

Netflix’s “The Perfect Couple,” starring Nicole Kidman and based on Elin Hilderbrand’s novel, presents a wedding weekend turned murder mystery. While the show delivers a thrilling finale and some humor, it largely suffers from pacing issues and a lack of originality, often feeling like a regurgitation of better narratives. Despite solid performances, particularly from Dakota Fanning and Donna Lynne Champlin, the series takes an eternity to embrace its true nature as light entertainment.

Netflix’s adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand’s novel, “The Perfect Couple,” stars Nicole Kidman as yet another splendidly wealthy matriarch embroiled in a wedding weekend turned murder mystery. This six-hour series promises a tumultuous journey culminating in a thrilling conclusion that delivers satisfaction as the pieces fall into place, surprisingly cohesive in retrospect. The pacing dances with energy, landing in a wickedly humorous zone, particularly when characters shed their inhibitions in a delightful display of snark and intrigue. However, the shadow of mediocrity looms large over the bulk of the series. Despite its brevity, the narrative drags woefully as it trudges along familiar tropes, recycling elements from superior shows and failing to carve out a distinct identity. Kidman’s Greer seems to effortlessly echo her role in “Big Little Lies,” potentially resigning herself to play a similar card in this tale of privilege and pretense. Supported by a star-studded cast, from Eve Hewson to Dakota Fanning, the gathering in Nantucket introduces an ensemble whose interactions bear eerie resemblances to characters we’ve seen before. At its core, the show spins a standard murder-mystery yarn, revealing the complexities of wealth and appearance. It flirts with deeper themes about marriage and family but never quite plunges deep enough to resonate profoundly. The humor, while present, frequently struggles to maintain a sharp edge, resulting in what feels like missed opportunities to satirize the absurdities of its affluent characters. Director Susanne Bier imbues the series with glamour and intrigue, yet as the plot unfolds, impatience builds for concise storytelling, underscoring the disconnect between the hour-long drudgery and the tantalizing finale. Some performances shine through the muddle, notably Donna Lynne Champlin’s Detective Henry, whose wry humor offers a refreshing contrast to the wealthy elite’s cluelessness. Similarly, Dakota Fanning brings delicious energy to her role as the mean sister-in-law, delivering lines with a sardonic flair that enriches the experience. Despite its most intriguing moments and character portrayals, “The Perfect Couple” ultimately feels like a collection of aspirations trapped in a formulaic framework. It teeters precariously between highbrow drama and comedic chaos, only to ultimately embrace its true nature as a playful escape meant for leisure viewing. The relief one feels at the series’ embrace of popcorn-style entertainment, however, does little to remedy the hours spent searching for its lost narrative cohesion. In the end, while “The Perfect Couple” tantalizes with glimpses of brilliance, it ultimately falls short of its lofty ambitions, teaching us that not all journeys are worth taking, especially when the delightful destination comes after what feels like an eternity.

“The Perfect Couple” is a television adaptation of the novel of the same name by Elin Hilderbrand. When a murder disrupts a high-profile wedding weekend, a complex web of relationships and secrets unfolds against a backdrop of wealth and privilege. The series presents a mélange of familiar archetypes, complex family dynamics, and a blend of humor and drama, echoing themes of disillusionment in marriage and family life. Led by Nicole Kidman, its allure lies in the combination of a talent-rich cast and a compelling premise, but it struggles with originality and pacing, often veering into the realm of cliché.

Despite its promising finale, “The Perfect Couple” is frequently bogged down by sluggish pacing and a lack of originality, dragging through familiar storylines without carving its identity. Nicole Kidman’s performance adds a touch of glamour, yet her usual prowess feels muted against the backdrop of a script that demands more depth. The series occasionally stirs interest with sprightly humor and standout performances, yet the overarching feeling is one of missed potential. Audiences may find a morsel of enjoyment in the concluding chaos, but it arrives too late to redeem the arduous path taken to get there.

Original Source: www.hollywoodreporter.com