NBC's The Slap

[phantom8019]

Posted: 2/7/15 at 11:54am

An eight-episode miniseries:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui1YlTPlW_8

I enjoyed this Wall Street Journal review: http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-slap-review-a-show-youll-love-to-hate-1423180421

“The estimable Peter Sarsgaard looks like he’s trying to pass a kidney stone during the premiere episode of NBC’s “The Slap,” and one might conclude that his discomfort comes from the prospect of carrying this sour-hearted miniseries for five more weeks. Not likely: If ever a show was made for hate-viewing, it’s “The Slap,” so if they have any decency at all, viewers will be tuning in week after week, praying for horrible things to befall the show’s horrible characters. For them, Mr. Sarsgaard’s grimace will be a source of hope.

The makers of “The Slap,” who include writer/executive producer Jon Robin Baitz (“Brothers & Sisters”) and director/executive producer Lisa Cholodenko (“The Kids Are All Right”), pretend this incident is something complex. It’s not. There’s no possible excuse for a male adult angrily striking a small child in the face. But such is the evil genius of the show: Every attempt to explain away the assault raises the level of viewer loathing. As a bonus, the victims are nearly as unspeakable as the perpetrators. It’s an equal opportunity hate fest.”





Updated On: 2/8/15 at 11:54 AM

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 2/7/15 at 12:11pm

I hope it's not bad. I know one of the young actors in the show, and this is his big break.

http://www.thewestonforum.com/23112/owen-tanzer-gets-his-big-break/

[Everlast85]

Posted: 2/7/15 at 12:14pm

The name of it is awful, the talent looks great, but it looks like a terrible show.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 2/7/15 at 3:29pm

This mini-series is actually based on a hit Australian television series that stars Jonathan LaPlaglia and Melissa George which in turn was adapted from the best selling novel by Christos Tsioklas.

As is my custom I will be watching it for myself. I very rarely let "reviews" and opinions influence what I watch, see or read. I like to make up my own mind.

I've read the novel and liked it very much. I've never seen the Australian series.

[LarryD2]

Posted: 2/7/15 at 5:33pm

The pedigree of the cast and creative team has me committed to at least watching the pilot. I'm always amused when people are willing to form an opinion of something they haven't seen based on one negative review.

[phantom8019]

Posted: 2/7/15 at 5:49pm

Hi there,

I am aware it was a novel and then an Australian TV series.

I would like to direct your attention to this part of the review, which I doubt the producers of the show would dispute: "The makers of The Slap... pretend this incident is something complex."

It goes on to say the following, which may be an opinion but an opinion that I find to be sound: "It’s not. There’s no possible excuse for a male adult angrily striking a small child in the face."

I have no interest in the justifications for child abuse. I think it is dangerous to do so. Similarly, I'd also have no interest in a 6-episode television series that explores the justification for animal abuse. I am an educated person who sees the world in grey, not black and white, but to me, this is an issue that is black and white. I do not find the assault of a child by a grown man to be justifiable, for any reason, or entertaining.

People, like myself, base their opinions not just on critical reviews but on their own experience, which may include a past of being beat as a child. I selected this Wall Street Journal review because it echoed my opinion about the abuse aspect; it did not dictate it to me.

[LarryD2]

Posted: 2/7/15 at 6:17pm

You have no idea that the mini-series justifies abuse. You haven't seen it.

Presenting something is not the same as justifying it, though that misguided reasoning seems to have legs nowadays. Updated On: 2/7/15 at 06:17 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/7/15 at 6:50pm

I think it's eight episodes.

[phantom8019]

Posted: 2/7/15 at 6:54pm

Did you watch the trailer? Here it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui1YlTPlW_8

Do you see where it says "whose side are you on" as if the issue is open to debate?

I guess the trailers are wrong and I guess this Wall Street Journal critic is also wrong.

I am not saying the book is the same, but the trailer certainly implies (and the critic agrees) that this is not an examination of WHY this happened, but asks is it OK that this happened. It is not ok. Abuse and violence against children are always wrong.

Larry, you can watch all six episodes and let us know if by the end, the grown man was right to hit the child.



Updated On: 2/7/15 at 06:54 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/7/15 at 6:58pm

I still think it's eight episodes.

[phantom8019]

Posted: 2/7/15 at 7:00pm

It is eight. You are correct.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/7/15 at 7:01pm

I know.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 2/7/15 at 11:17pm

Like I said I am going to reserve judgement until I see it for myself. I don't let reviews influence my choices. Yes, they can be helpful as a guide but I am not in the habit of forming an opinion on something that has not even aired yet.

The cast is top notch. I liked the book. So I will definitely be watching and seeing how it all plays out.

Kudos to Melissa George for getting a very rare opportunity to reprise her original role from the Australian version.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 2/7/15 at 11:29pm

I saw the Australian series, it's on Netflix if anyone is interested.

The Holocaust was dreadful and many of us have a real problem with what happened then, but are able to watch Schindler's List, Sophie's Choice, etc...

The Slap is nowhere near that type of experience (serious abuse). Nowhere near. The subject is a slap. One slap, one time only.

The miniseries revolves around how this one experience can change people's lives. Amongst many other things, it opens up the question — is one slap child abuse? Many people would say yes, while many others would say absolutely not. There is much more to this series though than this one topic.

As I disclosed, I know someone in the cast, so I'm looking forward to it, and I hope it's good. He said the cast got along great and Zachary Quinto who plays his dad was terrific. So we'll see.



Updated On: 2/7/15 at 11:29 PM

[phantom8019]

Posted: 2/7/15 at 11:59pm

"The Holocaust was dreadful and many of us have a real problem with what happened then, but are able to watch Schindler's List, Sophie's Choice, etc..."

Indeed, but were we asked in Schindler's List "Whose side are you on?" No. There is no reason to ask that, as we all know and accept the Holocaust was disgusting.
The Slap is being marketed, in my opinion, in a dreadful way.

Also, if it's not serious abuse, then how is it a compelling book/movie? That would negate the entire thing. He strikes the child on the face--not on the wrist or something. I have never been struck in the face. As a 34 year old man I can tell you it would greatly upset me.

I am just pointing out why it does not interest me. And people who want to play the "you can't judge it until you've seen it"--can you really say you've never done the same thing--saw a movie advertised or something and said, "Nope, not for me."










Updated On: 2/8/15 at 11:59 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/8/15 at 12:04am

Maybe you need to be slapped. It always calms people down on TV.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 2/8/15 at 12:19am

I am just pointing out why it does not interest me. And people who want to play the "you can't judge it until you've seen it"--can you really say you've never done the same thing--saw a movie advertised or something and said, "Nope, not for me."

I respect your choice of not wanting to see it because it's not for you. You do you. You're just coming off as maybe a bit disappointed that no one is jumping on your bandwagon and saying, "Yeah! I agree with you! I'm not watching it either."

Sorry to disappoint you but I just don't feel the same way about it as you do.

AND THAT'S OKAY!

Different strokes for different folks...and all that jazz.

[phantom8019]

Posted: 2/8/15 at 12:25am

"You're just coming off as maybe a bit disappointed that no one is jumping on your bandwagon and saying, "Yeah! I agree with you! I'm not watching it either."

I see how you could think that, and I understand I may be giving that impression. If anything, I am a little surprised I guess that no one thinks the questions this show is asking are shocking/distasteful. I am not trying to get anyone to not watch it. That's not it at all.
It's just weird for me to realize I seem to be in the minority on this.

I really dislike violence in any form. And I especially dislike violence against children or animals. I'm not saying people who watch this show condone violence.









Updated On: 2/8/15 at 12:25 AM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 2/8/15 at 12:44am

^ I agree with your view on violence. I don't condone violence of any kind. I'm certainly not negating your perspective on the questions this particular story raises.

[phantom8019]

Posted: 2/8/15 at 12:58am

Thank you.
Do let us know what you think of the show.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 2/8/15 at 1:25am

Melissa George is an incredible actress. Her work on In Treatment was primal and intense. She's exceptional. I'm watching based on her alone.

[SweetLips]

Posted: 2/8/15 at 3:14am

The Australian series certainly caused a lot of discussions around the water cooler.

Funny story--imagine the repercussions if this happened today or was witnessed.

For some reason was reminiscing with my 96yo Mum and The Slap came up-maybe we saw the book at the library.

Anyway--bear with me-- Mum said I was a toddler in my stroller[68years ago] and she was walking with a friend and HER son was in his stroller. They had stopped to talk and obviously the other kid did something to annoy me--so I just reached over and bit him on the arm. The kid screamed and his Mother saw what happened so she apparently just reached in and bit ME on my arm.

Both Mothers just laughed and went on their way.
And no-I was not traumatised, still ate dirt as a kid, and played out on the street till it got dark--but did end up a poof, so maybe there was something in her bite---we'll never know.

Thought I'd share in this thread-nowhere else to tell it.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/8/15 at 3:28pm

I agree that the Holocaust was completely unnecessary.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/8/15 at 3:52pm

"It's just weird for me to realize I seem to be in the minority on this."

I think it's very weird that you are just realizing that hitting children is extremely common in America, and the rest of the planet as a form of discipline. This isn't a shocking, new, surprising, or ground breaking topic.

[phantom8019]

Posted: 2/8/15 at 4:48pm

Wow. Did you read my posts where I implied I was hit A LOT as a child?
When I said it's weird, I meant weird, to me, that people would want to watch this.
CarlosAlberto understood. Why don't you go back and read his post.

Updated On: 2/8/15 at 04:48 PM