Movies News Talk
Netflix's The Decameron is a miniseries loosely based on Giovanni Boccaccio's 14th-century work of the same name. It's about a group of nobles and servants who escape the Black Plague by heading to a countryside villa in Italy. They spend their time drinking wine and having sex, but things get complicated when they learn each other's secrets and encounter the plague themselves. It's not exactly a direct adaptation, but more of a reimagining with some borrowed elements.
Not really! While the series borrows the basic premise of a group of people escaping the plague and telling stories, it doesn't capture the wit, intrigue, or clever storytelling of Boccaccio's book. The miniseries has a different tone and doesn't really delve into the same kinds of themes or characters. It's more focused on the drama of the plague and the relationships between the characters.
The main criticism is that the miniseries lacks the wit and interesting characters that make Boccaccio's original work so captivating. Critics feel that it doesn't live up to the legacy of its namesake. They also argue that the series doesn't offer much in terms of originality, relying heavily on familiar tropes and cliches.
While there are some sexual scenes and drinking in the series, it's not solely focused on those things. It's a more complex story that explores the themes of love, betrayal, fear, and survival during a time of plague. But yes, it does feature some pretty steamy scenes and a lot of wine-drinking.
That's a tough one! It really depends on what you're looking for. If you're expecting a faithful adaptation of Boccaccio's work, you'll probably be disappointed. However, if you're looking for a somewhat entertaining drama about life during the Black Plague, it might be worth a watch. Just don't go in expecting it to be a masterpiece.
Giovanni Boccaccio's The Decameron has had a huge impact on literature and culture. Many other authors have been inspired by its stories, including Chaucer and William Shakespeare. You'll see elements of The Decameron in other works, like The Canterbury Tales and Romeo And Juliet.