The Undoing
Created by David E. Kelley
Based on You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Written by David E. Kelley
Directed by Susanne Bier
Starring Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant, Édgar Ramírez, Noah Jupe, Lily Rabe, Matilda De Angelis, Ismael Cruz, Córdova, Edan Alexander, Michael Devine, Donald Sutherland
Music by Evgueni Galperine and Sacha Galperine
Opening theme “Dream a Little Dream of Me” by Nicole Kidman
If it’s by David E. Kelley, it’s not going to be formulaic, and it’s likely to strain the bounds of the genre. This applies to murder mysteries/courtroom dramas. Kelley delights in going in unexpected directions, and if you like that about him, then you’ll like The Undoing. If you don’t like Kelley, go watch something else.
It could have been a fizzle with actors a bit less gifted at convincing misdirection. But that isn’t the case here: Nicole Kidman is considered one of the finest actresses for over a quarter century. She brings a subtlety and poise that few others could manage. Hugh Grant is in a fairly accustomed role of being an English dick, but rather coming across as the son of Terry Thomas, he is a dick who loves and is loved back, gentle, giving, a healer. Noah Jupe, who plays the tweenager son of Kidman and Grant, brings a startling degree of maturity and depth to his role as a conflicted boy caught in the middle of a horrific family situation. Noma Dumezweni is the high powered Manhattan lawyer hired to defend Jonathan Fraser (Grant) who has been accused of the murder of his mistress, Elena Aves. Even though she’s “The Body” from the second episode on, seen only in flashback, she is a steamy and sultry presence, the sort of woman who attracts unpremeditated murder.
Critical response was somewhat tepid, due in large part to the Kelley factor. I generally like his work (let’s not discuss his version of “Life on Mars”) and found this to be a tremendous and riveting six part series.
Now on HBO.