My Brilliant Friend has consistently been one of the best shows on TV. But it hasn't gotten so much attention stateside being in Italian. I think Americans are getting more accustomed to watching subtitled content. But I think that's kind of the Netflix effect pushing the content via algorithm. Outside of Netflix, if you have to look for the content yourself, people are not seeking it out. And it's a shame because there's a uniquely Italian story here that's quite beautiful. It's shamelessly melodramatic in a way that I think is more acceptable abroad. You might call it soapy in America, but we're getting more of that in our prestige content too. It's deeply felt, passionate, aided by Max Richter's extraordinary score and the striking cinematography.
It's a story of epic proportions, spanning decades in the lives of two friends. It's about their lifelong friendship, with all the complications that come with two competitive women. And at its heart there is a story about the power of education in a poor and dangerous community. The intellectual circle and the mafia circle often intersect. We watch the whole community grow old. As kids they may have been enemies, and as adults they may still hate each other but their lives are so intertwined nonetheless. Beautiful show.
