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Rated: R
Stars: Daisy Edgar Jones, Paul Mescal
Director: Lenny Abrahamson and Hettie MacDonald
Screenplay: Sally Rooney and Alice Burch
Based on the novel by Sally Rooney, this BBC/Hulu mini-series is presented in twelve, half-hour episodes. The story focuses on two Irish high school students: Marianne and Connell. Both are very bright but have very different in personalities. Connell is a top student, a gifted athlete and is popular with the entire school. Marianne is also a very good student but her aggressive nature tends to make her speak harshly to adults and her peers. This gets her into trouble at school and she is frequently bullied by fellow students.
In addition to their personal differences, the two teens have completely different backgrounds and mothers. Marianne is from a well-to-do family. Her mother is a barrister who is seldom around and when she is, the relationship between mother and daughter is cold and strained. Connell’s mother is wise, kind and very tolerant. She works as a maid for Marianne’s family and because of this situation, Connell and Marianne come to know each other. Every day after school, Connell picks his mother up from work at Marianne’s and this gives the pair time to get to know each other outside of school. Soon, they become friends and then lovers. Neither of them wants the world to know they are fond of each other, but their secrecy puts a strain on their relationship, and it becomes an on-again, off-again affair.
While together the pair decide they will attend Trinity College in Dublin once they graduate. Both apply and are accepted. However, the strain of their secret life together causes them to break up before graduation and during their first few years at Trinity the couple never came in contact with each other. Both formed new relationships and enjoyed successful college experiences until one day they meet again though an invitation of a mutual friend. The first season ends with them rekindling their affection for one another and the new complications that it brings.
There is talk that there will be a season two for Normal People but as of this writing nothing is finalized. I enjoyed this series very much and I thought both leads were excellent and the story was very compelling.
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