Susanne Bier, renowned for directing the glossy Nicole Kidman starrer ‘The Undoing,’ reunites with the actress for another visually appealing production. In ‘The Perfect Couple,’ Nicole Kidman stars as Greer Garrison Winbury, an outrageously successful mystery novelist—mercifully not a gallery owner this time. Greer’s literary masterpieces revolve around characters Dash and Dolly, with Dash portrayed based on her affluent husband, Tag (Liev Schreiber).
The story unfolds on the picturesque shores of Nantucket, where the affluent Winbury family is hosting the wedding of their second son, Benji (Billy Howle), to the local girl next door, Amelia (Eve Hewson). In rapid succession, viewers are introduced to the myriad of characters at the celebratory event. There’s Benji’s older brother, Thomas (Jack Reynor), his very pregnant wife Abby (Dakota Fanning), and the youngest Winbury, Will (Sam Nivola). Also present are Benji’s loyal friend Shooter (Ishaan Khatter) and Amelia’s best friend and maid of honor, the vivacious Merrit (Meghann Fahy). Family friend Isabel (Isabelle Adjani) further adds to the drama.
Below the elegant surface, the downstairs crew also houses an interesting bunch, including the stern housekeeper, Gosia (Irina Dubova), the efficient wedding planner Roger Pelton (Tim Bagley), and Greer’s diligent editor, Enid (Adina Porter). When a body is found on the beach the morning after the rehearsal dinner, the narrative kicks into high gear with police officers, including Chief Dan Carter (Michael Beach), Deputy Carl (Nick Searcy), and Detective Nikki (Donna Lynne Champlin), swinging into action.
As the investigation commences, the meticulously polished facade of the Winburys begins to crack, revealing the disturbing underbelly of their lives. Chief Carter’s daughter, Chloe (Mia Isaac), is quickly implicated as she anxiously hides a bloody shirt. Broderick Graham, played by Thomas Flanagan, takes up the ‘Stranger’ trope within the story.
Meanwhile, Tag Winbury faces an inconvenient truth: no amount of money or influence can make a dead body disappear. Despite their privileged status, the family cannot escape the murder investigation or public scrutiny that follows.
. Even down-to-earth Amelia, who fell in love with Benji while working at a zoo, is not unaffected by the turmoil. Despite his supposed charisma, Tag does little more than play golf and smoke, resembling a relic of a bygone age rather than a redemptive figure.
Gosia, with her snooty demeanor, derides Amelia’s parents, Karen (Dendrie Taylor) and Bruce (Michael McGrady), for their humble gift of store-bought fruit. She’s equally dismissive of another character’s plebeian housekeeping skills. With each character’s flaws laid bare, the myth of the “perfect couple” quickly unravels.
Despite a shamble of pretentious characters, Nicole Kidman gracefully maneuvers through her role as Greer, one she could seemingly perform in her sleep. The polished clothes, especially Kidman’s wide-legged trousers and azure blouse that highlight her piercing eyes, are a sight to behold, providing a visual feast albeit one that barely scratches the surface of meaningful storytelling.
Dakota Fanning affords a bit of levity with her depiction of Abby, delivering lines with a casual cruelty that underscores the character’s sense of indifference. Her quick retort when mentioning Shooter’s (oddly named) origins is one of many highlights delivered with a nonchalant flair. Similarly, Donna Lynne Champlin finds joy in her character of a detective entranced and critical of the wealthy milieu she navigates.
Despite a plethora of tired clichés, ‘The Perfect Couple,’ based on Elin Hilderbrand’s best-selling novel, captures a blend of dramatic, Hindi movie-style dance sequences and convoluted plot twists that remain addictive through to the final reveal. Nonetheless, the lack of deeper ambition and clever intricacy leaves this Netflix series falling short of its potential. While the production values are commendably high, Nicole Kidman’s considerable talent may be better served in projects with more substance. Besides her accent in this series, more discerning choices could showcase her skills far more effectively.
‘The Perfect Couple’ is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
Published: September 08, 2024 01:58 pm IST
World cinema / English cinema / reviews / television
