Movies News Talk
Arriving on Apple TV+, Natalie Portman's first major performance in a TV series, Lady In The Lake, marks Based on Laura Lippman's 2019 book of the same name, the show centers on Portman's Maggie Schwartz, an aspirational investigative reporter navigating a convoluted murder inquiry in 1960s Baltimore.
Based on 12 reviews, Lady In The Lake today has a decent 75% Rotten Tomatoes score. This first reception points to Portman's entry into the realm of streaming TV shows starting off rather well.
Cast and Performances, Lady in the Lake
Critics have praised Moses Ingram's and Portman's performances as well as the show's ensemble. Renowned for her performance in Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ingram plays local activist Cleo Sherwood, who gets caught in Maggie's research. Portman and Ingram's on-screen dynamic has drawn compliments for its complexity and captivating quality.
Lady in the Lake Environment and World Building
Another element that has received good comments is the backdrop of the show—1960s Baltimore. Critics value the show's real portrayal of the era and its examination of social mores including race and class. Some critics have noted, meanwhile, the slow-paced beginning episodes.
Though most assessments have been favorable, Nick Schager of The Daily Beast presented a more critical viewpoint. He thought Portman's performance overblown and the story too complex. He claimed that the show's too packed with ideas causes lack of focus. Whether more reviews like Schager's will lower Lady in the Lake's Rotten Tomatoes score is yet unknown.
Based on the actual disappearances of a young girl and a woman, Lady in the Lake is a fictional drama miniserie. The narrative centers on disillusioned housewife Madeline Schwartz, who divorces and sets off a quest for meaning. Having assisted the Baltimore police in finding the body of young Cleo Sherwood, she turns into an investigative journalist. The show investigates in a noir-infused narrative themes of status, race, and murder.
Though an incident in late 2022 causes delay, Lady in the Lake is still scheduled to show on Apple Tv+ in the future.