I watched the Leftovers preview last night. I had been looking forward to the show because the premise was interesting and fairly unique. The possibilities for this story-line of a percentage of the world's population just disappearing have not been fully explored. Clearly by my rating, however, I was greatly disappointed by this attempt.
The show definitely grabbed me within the first few minutes but lost me more and more as the show progressed.
What the show did well was letting you know the state of the world as it sits after the disappearance event through the news casts, and... That's about all I can say it did well.
What it did not do well was just about everything else. I understand there is supposed to be some mystery and suspense surrounding the show, however in building suspense, you have to hook your viewer and draw them in to your story. The Leftovers did not do that for me. I understand that the show is based off of a book, and this show seems to pander to those readers. If I have to read the books to understand the show and what's going on, then the writer and director have failed from the outset. An film or TV adaptation should stand alone from it's original source. Someone who sits down to view an adaptation should be able to watch and enjoy the film/show, regardless of whether or not they read the book or even know of its existence.
That is where I think this show failed. It left too many questions out there, basic questions, without rewarding me for having hung in there for the last hour. Ultimately at the end of the hour I found I just don't care. I don't care who the people are, their ties to each other. I don't care about the groups represented and what they stand for. I don't care if the event was the rapture, Aliens, or a time warp to another dimension. I'm sure the book is wonderful, it seems to have a large and faithful fan base, I just don't think the show did it justice.
On a high note, Justin Theroux looks great with his shirt off... yum!
The show definitely grabbed me within the first few minutes but lost me more and more as the show progressed.
What the show did well was letting you know the state of the world as it sits after the disappearance event through the news casts, and... That's about all I can say it did well.
What it did not do well was just about everything else. I understand there is supposed to be some mystery and suspense surrounding the show, however in building suspense, you have to hook your viewer and draw them in to your story. The Leftovers did not do that for me. I understand that the show is based off of a book, and this show seems to pander to those readers. If I have to read the books to understand the show and what's going on, then the writer and director have failed from the outset. An film or TV adaptation should stand alone from it's original source. Someone who sits down to view an adaptation should be able to watch and enjoy the film/show, regardless of whether or not they read the book or even know of its existence.
That is where I think this show failed. It left too many questions out there, basic questions, without rewarding me for having hung in there for the last hour. Ultimately at the end of the hour I found I just don't care. I don't care who the people are, their ties to each other. I don't care about the groups represented and what they stand for. I don't care if the event was the rapture, Aliens, or a time warp to another dimension. I'm sure the book is wonderful, it seems to have a large and faithful fan base, I just don't think the show did it justice.
On a high note, Justin Theroux looks great with his shirt off... yum!