As I've been on holiday for the last week, I'm taking a break from the big screen to review something that captivated me recently on Netflix. Baby Reindeer tells an extraordinary true story across seven dramatic episodes. You'll struggle not to watch this whole thing in one sitting.
It's an uncomfortable, dark, viscerally honest look at what happened to Richard Gadd. We dive into the life of jobbing comedian Donny, who is struggling to make it in the unforgiving world of stand-up comedy. Little does he know that failing to get much of a laugh for his surreal one-liners is the least of his worries. Donny's life is turned upside down when he offers a friendly ear and a cup of tea to Martha, who comes into the pub where he's working to make ends meet. She sits alone, looking sad, unable to afford a drink, and he takes pity on her. I think it's fair to say he regrets this random act of kindness pretty sharpish.
Although it takes Martha several episodes to get hold of Donny's phone number, she instead unleashes a determined campaign of E-mails instead, and at the end of episode three, I felt I was entirely across what was going on. This is the point where episode four took a handbrake turn down an even darker path. One of the toughest things I've watched in years, but so well done.
Jessica Gunning is absolutely terrific as Martha, who I imagine was not an easy character to portray, but she does so with nuance and is just brilliant in every scene. The words "sent from my iPhone" will forever send a shiver down your spine after watching this series. As will some of Martha's terrible spelling.
I don't want to go too far into the weeds of the plot, as I think Baby Reindeer is best enjoyed (if that's the right word!) spoiler-free. But trust me, if you have a few hours spare, park yourself on the sofa and watch it forthwith. It's almost filmed like a horror movie at times, and I can only imagine how gruelling going through life events like this must be for all victims of stalking and harrassment. The wholly inadequate initial police response will elicit a huge eye roll, and Donny's monologue scene at his Edinburgh Fringe comedy club gig is devastating and brilliant.
I sound like I'm grasping for ways of telling you how good this series is, without telling you too much about it. Trust me, along with the recent One Day series, it's the best thing I've seen on the box in a long time. I'd like to also single out Nava Mau, who plays Terri. A superb character, who is caught up in the eye of the storm on more than one occasion. Baby Reindeer deals with a lot of very difficult subjects, but does so from the perspective of lived experience. I think that's what makes it so compelling.
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