Alias Grace - Limited-Series Review
This review of Alias Grace is spoiler-free!
Limited series productions are great. They allow for a different means to tell a story rather than in an extended format of regular television, but not condensed into a standard film. I think back to a few other limited series that I have seen recently, Godless and 11.22.63. These both are excellent stories that don't try to overextend their time to fit a certain episode count. This also results in excellent shows for audiences to enjoy. Alias Grace takes a story that I'm sure somehow could have been a movie, and makes an excellent use of the limited series format. As with a majority of the things that I talk about, this is another classic case of a show overlooked when looking for quality content. But, I believe this show could make a case for how shows that look into the mind are just as worth watching as spectacle style television.
Alias Grace is the story of a girl by the name of Grace Marks (Sarah Gadon). She has been convicted of a murdering two people 15 years ago. But, many people in the town find her innocent and request the help of Dr. Simon Jordan (Edward Holcroft). They want Jordan to create a report that can be submitted and have Grace freed. What follows is a look into Grace's past and the events that occurred on the fateful day that caused all of Grace's troubles. As an overall story, Alias Grace is fantastic. I try to go into most shows without any real idea of what to expect, and I'm glad I did this here. Alias Grace is a flashback-heavy show, but every moment of every scene is important and I praise Sarah Polley and Mary Hollen for their work writing and directing this series. But, the star of the show is truly Grace herself.
Sarah Gadon is mesmerizing in the role of Grace Marks. This girl who has been through years of hardship wants to prove her innocence through her story to Dr. Jordan. The raw emotion that she displays on screen is fantastic and something that I don't know I could see from many other actresses. Grace is a complicated woman whose past is much more fraught with pain and trouble than originally expected. Gadon has a bright future in television and film, and I can't wait to see what she does next. Looking to other members of the cast, I can't help but gravitate to the other major player in the story, Edward Holcroft's Dr. Jordan. There are plenty of characters in Grace's past that deserve recognition, Mary Whitney (Rebecca Liddiard) and Jeremiah Peddler (Zachary Levi), but discussing them could lead to spoiler territory. Jordan, on the other hand, has his own struggles, as he finds himself becoming emotionally attached to Grace throughout their sessions. This inability to separate his work from his personal life affects him deeply and seeing the seeds of doubt in his head and Grace delves deeper into her past is outstanding.
Going back to the overall arc of the series, it's important to recognize that Grace is a complex character. Her mental state is key to the overall plot of the series, and it really elevates the show as a whole. Quickly the viewer realizes that Grace can't be completely trusted. Something deeper is going on with her, and there are minor details throughout her story that begins to throw the audience off. Looking for these moments are some of the best parts, and as I mentioned previously, it makes every scene important. Characters from the past come to appear in the present and even play major roles. I praise Zachary Levi for making the most of his smaller role as Jeremiah, as he does well in everything he is in, and this is just another example of making the most of a role.
As a complete package, Alias Grace is fantastic. I know that there are series that may surpass this, but I can't stop thinking about Gadon's portrayal of the titular character. She's such an endearing and complex person that I wish we had more time to explore. Seeing how she develops throughout her past and present was worth every minute. Along with this, seeing how the story and characters around her change because of her actions is great as well. For those of you who enjoy a true character study or a more psychological thriller style of television, I have good news: Alias Grace is worth every minute of its 6 episode series.
