User reviews

To the reviewer who thinks it is okay for a french film, wow. How superior of you? And it is a series, not a film... As for Ann Frank, it is hardly making fun of her at all. Tis the book and the child's anxiety (caused by the shenanigans around her) that the mother decides to make disappear ... not the story. This series is a delight and a cross between comedy and drama, very well put together and a lot of fun. Great soundtrack... as for the cancer thing, the ploy was far stronger in Breaking Bad. I get it that for some people it wont work because it has subs, it is of a different culture viewpoint and doesn't fit into the usual series. But if you like quirky, charming and fun give it a try. Oh, and it helps if you are a bit more open to 'different'.

Thoroughly enjoyed this series and whilst the storyline is somewhat quirky it builds to an intriguing climax. The acting, casting and script are all solid - in fact Marina Hands shines and I'll watch out for her other films.

I'd recommend this and would watch again when my goldfish memory has done its usual trick.

Very original and lovely series, great actors, beautiful scenery. This is definitely worth your time if you are into a little drama.

I'm a TV snob. I normally know within the first episode whether a show is a hit or a miss. I immediately liked all of the characters in this programme. None of them grated on me; I felt something for all of them, and the lead actress is superb in this role. I'm actually surprised how believable this series is. I think that it achieved this by everyone fulfilling their individual parts so well, which in turn means that the end product is cohesive. Completely surprised by this find.

A very original story. Looked very promising. But the characters annoyed me. Especially daughter Carole who made a character change from one moment to the next. And for my idea there are so many loose ends where too little attention has been paid. Left a little confused. And don't know yet if I'm jumping for season 2 ...

Great performances, children-actors are brilliant. Compelling story. Can't wait for the next season.

It's hard to add to what the above reviewer wrote ... I'm almost in complete agreement. I would stress that it builds nicely so don't be put off if you're not 100% hooked after E1. The only thing I'd add is that you don't have to watch the dubbed version. You can (as I did) watch in original French with English subtitles turned on. So, not one to return to again and again like the classics; The Sopranos, The Wire or (dare I say) GoT but a pretty entertaining series, if a tiny bit lightweight ... but hey, sometimes that's exactly what you want.

Didn't director and producers think it was possible to cast a trans actress to play Sam role? I guess they don't give a damn about trans representation or they didn't watch Euphoria or Pose.... Another cis actor with a wig playing a trans woman :/

Going to make a review until I read the comments. All the experts about French films etc and LGBT and Anne Frank! Lol! Most of the people complaining about the acting and dialogue probably don't even realize it's dubbed! Or that dubbing is mostly atrocious and makes the acting and dialogue seem horrible. It's hard for me to find a decently dubbed foreign fil or show ( Nobody's watching) was probably one of the better dubbed shows I've seen. I watched about 5 episodes before I fell asleep. I think it's decent and I'm going to finish it tonight and update if necessary.

French films can be tiresome for the character stereotypes they keep portraying. While the plot in this series is well written and very interesting, are we really expected to believe that this unattractive, whiny, hairy dad, with absolutely no job prospects can attract the gaze of 3 (so far) beautiful women who all seem to want to sleep with him? It is so unbelievable it nearly spoils the series. All I could think of was EEEWW anytime one of the ladies kissed him. I really had to put that aside to try and joy what is otherwise a funny but also dark story. Once you can do that it becomes quite interesting.

After watching so many series on Netflix, it was great to finally find one that I looked forward to watching the next episode. I nearly didn't continue after episode 1, but it got better each episode thereafter. I can't comment on the references to cancer or how correct the facts in the story line are, but felt able to relate to the lead characters role in regards to motherhood and struggles with everyday life and mental health. I was shocked to see it only had 2 stars on Netflix, please don't let that put you off! Well filmed, good cast and characters. Just a shame it was dubbed, as maybe some of the depth is lost in translation.

I really enjoyed these series. I have always had a thing for french movies. They seem so more real than American ones. It tells the story of our modern life and all the typical characters we meet in life or read about .

The story and actors are interesting in the beginning until around the 4th episode, when it starts going nonsense, dark and kind of boring. Seems like they changed its genre completely or even the writer.

It has some loose ends, like stories about the kids which go nowhere.

So after around 4th episode it also adds a secret or criminal component about the main character younger life which seems very improbable. I think they did that to justify a second season, bit it's just weird.

I watched it until half episode of s. 2 but it's to unbelievable and boring.

It's unfortunate because as I said, it started very promising.

It's ok to practice french though, it's easy to understand :-D.

So far ... so good, however more than ' to be expected ' ... Awaiting season 2 and it's conclusion ... ?

The acting is pretty good. The story is interesting .

Its actually better than most of the new stuff Netflix is throwing out and around.

When I seen this on the up and coming, My initial response was "oh cool" yeah I could wash the dishes with this playing in the background.

Summary

The second season of this remarkable series maintains the unclassifiable quality that characterized it in the first: a true blender of genres very difficult to summarize as a simple black comedy or tragicomedy, that maintains its audacity and its ability to bother, its melancholy, its depth, in its approach to relationships, qualities that allow it to continue being one of the most original series on Netflix.

Review (includes information from season 1)

The story of Elvira continues, the wife and mother fed up with her family using and ignoring her and who invents a cancer to capture their attention, regain their affection and save her marriage.

Season 1 of this French series had ended with Elvira "refugee" in a neighbor's house (and without a job) after leaving her home for having confessed her deception and looking out the window as the enigmatic young Italian introduced himself to his family.

The unpredictable Elvira (the incredible and captivating Marina Hands) continues to live with her neighbor and watch over the movements of her family. Her family nucleus continues to be angry with her. On the other hand, each member of its rich gallery of characters is a world, sustained by admirable performances, each with their great moments: Patrick, her depressed ex-husband (Mathieu Demy), their trans daughter and their two daughters (notoriously grown) , her Italian father, her brother-in-law, her disturbing ex-boss, the sinister neighbor and her strange sect (among the most disturbing of the series), the sensitive neighbor, her beautiful tarot reader friend and, of course, the enigmatic young Italian and others who are will be adding.

After a somewhat hesitant start more focused on comedy, the season recovers its juxtaposition of genres and climates, its audacity and its capacity to bother, its melancholy, its depth in the approach of the bonds, qualities that allow it to continue being a of the most original Netflix series.

Anne Frank? Really? Is that what the little girl identifies with? What does Anne Frank have anything to do with this story? Does the little girl identify with Anne Frank? How in the world can this bourgeois girl possibly identify with Anne Frank. An insult to Anne Frank.

First, this is a "French" series. It is dubbed. That alone can make it uncomfortable for USA audiences. That being said, this was an important series that I wish was more widely watched.

The story concerns some of the most selfish people in the world and their poor put upon mother who finally, after years of abuse, tells them a lie so they will be nice to her. I would say about 90% of current mothers in the world are this woman. It is a brutal mirror to society and cautionary tale for most young women starting a family. The main character has three insanely self absorbed and bratty kids. At every point in this series, everything that happens is viewed in how it will effect them. Their father is a such a selfish moron that he can't even be bothered to marry the mother of his children, is having an affair, and runs a photo shop -- an indulgence - while his wife holds a real job with an abusive boss to make sure they have money. As she makes clear in a speech with them at the end, it is like nothing she does is important, like no reason to ever do anything with her.

Eventually she tells them she has breast cancer. The change in behavior is so wonderful she can't bring herself to tell them the truth and has a plan to just tell them she is cured. But is found out before.

The reaction? No compassion for mom. No, husband gets to work right away with his lover on figuring out how to get evidence of the lie for any court case, he tells the kids so they will be sure to hate her - of course, they do. Immediately it is all about them. They even have the guts to state that they "never asked her" to do things like the laundry or work -- so clearly it is her fault. All her fault. What BS.

No one should be made to turn selfish to keep other selfish people from taking advantage of them.

The ending was a little odd and I am not sure what to make of it but... it makes me interested in a season 2.

The story is very unbelievable and inaccurate. First off, when someone actually has a tumor and it isn't yet clear if it's benign or not, you don't speak of cancer. I feel everyone does know this? Or at least should.

Secondly the way they - unlike a series like Euphoria - still use a non trans person to depict a trans character is disgusting.

The sound design is complete rubbish too. The crickets are too overdone and often completely out of sync when a door opens or closes, which is not how it sound works. Especially since often the sound stops before a door is closed.

The dialogues are very shallow and staged, like a pre schooler playing with barbies. It lacks realness, believability and maturity.

Acting isn't great either.

Honestly I have no clue what would be good about this series. Too many characters, with too little dept.

Insane to think I'm now 6 episodes in and it still has not touched anything, compared to a show like After Life, where in little time you feel for more than one character so deeply you have to laugh and cry soon and throughout. Whereas here you're constantly reminded you're listening too crappy dialogues, poorly acting out a very unbelievable and somehow shallow storyline.