‘The Perfect Couple’ series review: Nicole Kidman presides over this stylish, superficial murder mystery

A still from Netflix’s ‘The Perfect Couple’ Photo credit: Netflix

Suzanne Beer, who directed the film starring another dazzling Nicole Kidman, predicamentis back with another slick offering that once again features Kidman as a wealthy woman of privilege in peril Here Kidman Greer plays Garrison Winbury, a very successful writer – thank you not a gallery owner! She writes mysteries featuring Dash and Dolly, Dash modeled after her generation’s wealthy husband, Tag (Liev Schreiber). The Winbury family is planning the wedding of their second son, Benazir (Billy Howell), to Amelia (Eve Hewson), the girl next door on Nantucket.

We introduce players to the team in quick succession. There’s Benji’s older brother Thomas (Jack Raynor) and his heavily pregnant wife Abby (Dakota Fanning), Will (Sam Nivola), the younger Winbury, Benji’s best friend, Shooter (Ishaan Khattar), Amelia’s best friend and maid of honor. , good time girl Merritt, (Meghan Fahy) and family friend, Isabelle (Isabel Adjani).

Downstairs, the frighteningly competent and snobbish housekeeper, Gosia (Irina Dubova), wedding planner Roger Pelton (Tim Bagley) and Greer’s editor, Enid (Adina Porter). When a body is found on the beach the morning after the rehearsal dinner, it’s time for the Ployds, including Chief Dan Carter (Michael Beach), Deputy Carl (Nick Searcy) and Detective Nikki (Donna Lynne Champlin), to go into action.

A still from Netflix’s ‘The Perfect Couple’ Photo credit: Netflix

It’s time to turn over many rocks to reveal the creepy crawlies beneath the Winburys’ polished exterior. Chloe (Mia Isaac), Chief Carter’s daughter, appears to have a connection to the crime as she hides a bloody shirt, while Broderick Graham fills the Stranger slot as Thomas Flanagan.

Tagg realizes that no matter how much money they donate to the police for smart uniforms and flash cars, dead bodies cannot be brushed under the carpet. All the characters are equally awesome, including the down-to-earth Amelia, who works at a zoo when she meets Benji and they fall in love. Tag’s supposed attractiveness isn’t very visible as he seems to smoke and play golf when not singing Jurassic-era pop songs.

Gosia looks down her nose at Amelia’s parents, Karen (Dendree Taylor) and Bruce (Michael McGrady), after rescheduling the wedding to accommodate Karen’s “death”, and dismisses a character as “a pauper”. Person to make a bed like that.” Death also finds chinks in the “perfect couple” image the Winburys are trying to project.

The mystery isn’t very clever and given the general awfulness of all the characters, you don’t really care. Kidman, as majestic as Greer (he can now do these roles in his sleep), while the rest do what they’re told, breathing whatever life they want into their poorly written characters. Extreme close-ups reveal nothing about the characters except their sometimes flawless skin.

The clothes are divine, especially Kidman’s, with beautiful wide-leg trousers, a bright sky blue blouse that brings out the blue of her irresistible eyes, and all those intricate ties and sashes.

A still from Netflix’s ‘The Perfect Couple’ Photo credit: Netflix

One person who seems to be having a great time is Fanning as Abby, bringing a casual cruelty and indifference to everything around her except herself. Shooter (what’s with that name?) is from the Middle East, and Amelia replies “exactly” when she says she’s from India, one of her many throwaway gems. Champlin also pokes fun at his detective character who, seemingly dazzled by all the wealth, peels his eyes for many ugly faults.

Although clichés with breathless twists and turns that don’t make much sense, Perfect couple Based on Elin Hilderbrand’s eponymous bestseller, the opening credits of the final release include an addictive Hindi movie-style dance sequence. It can be smarter, sharper and more. A lack of ambition seriously hurts this handsomely produced show, and the statuesque Ms. Kidman should seriously consider putting her considerable star-power into worthy projects, despite what she did with her accent in this one.

The Perfect Couple is currently streaming on Netflix