The White Lotus

Season 1. A sensitive dramatic probe into the lives of decadent characters, with whom you can sympathize at times but with relative ease, because in some situations, one could find themselves alone. I love movies and series set in a hotel environment, so I was extremely pleased with this pampered style, whether from the camera work, editing, or directing perspective. It's all very polished, scented, and soulful, and above all, it has a disarming soundtrack and probably the best intro I've seen in the last few years. The cast is an absolute bomb and includes a few faces that had the opportunity to show their more serious side. The White Lotus is a psychological matter that borders on motivational existentialism. Don't expect much of a story, although the first episode might suggest it's going to be some hotel crime drama. However, it's purely observational therapy. Season 2 of The White Lotus is a top-notch series among today's shows. I didn't expect such a great season, and honestly, I had no idea that a second season was in the making and it just suddenly appeared on HBO. Of course, I was skeptical that it wouldn't reach the quality of the first season, but I was seriously wrong, and the second season offers even more sophisticated, colorful, dramatic, and especially much darker mini-stories of characters that are complex and amazingly played, and almost every one can be sympathized with in some way. The beautiful setting of enchanting Sicily contributes to an intense experience of a story full of social criticism, black humor, and relationship dramas. Additionally, even the mafia storyline was surprisingly sharp this time, and Mike White didn't hesitate to push the boundaries and shock quite nicely in the end. White is becoming a creator that I will pay a lot of attention to in the future. (05/04/2022)

No doubt, The White Lotus is quality filmmaking. Mike White took on his biggest project yet, blending a cast of bizarre, messed-up characters whose offbeat dramas and obnoxious “elite” behavior, paired with that strange, immersive soundtrack, created something almost Twin Peaks-esque. Just set in a Hawaiian hotel. Six episodes felt just right—any more, and it might’ve started to feel repetitive. The whole vacation dynamic running through the episodes felt more like a horror at times than a comedy. Satire? Definitely. It nailed its point, especially considering how nauseating some of these upper-class personalities were. Acting standouts? Alexandra Daddario and Murray Bartlett, without a doubt. The ending, though, was a letdown—I expected it to go way further off the rails. (27/09/2021)

Season 1: White Lotus is an unorthodox series that is literally strange and different in every way, and yet (or maybe because of it) it's a hit series that has no rivals. The uniquely constructed story of a few people in a hotel gives all the characters room to shine and develop fabulously throughout, each one is simply their own and unique, perfectly written and their performances are very good (Alexandra Daddario clearly leads the way!!). The cinematography is spot on and has some haunting and daring shots in places (shitting in a suitcase, the boss's practices in his office…), which, along with the haunting music, contribute to the end result in a big way; and the script, which is very ordinary at its core yet an utterly bizarre mindfuck in the details, is so great and gripping that six episodes was not enough for me and I want more right now. The final episode took a slightly different path than I had hoped, but it still brought the series to a glorious conclusion and the result is so worth it. No reservations. Season 2: So simple, yet so f*cking amazing!!! The second season of White Lotus is the definition of the word perfection and is in the same spirit as the first. The characters are some of the most entertaining on screen, their development and acting is unrivalled and it's Oscar-worthy, and perhaps that goes straight to all the main characters, because acting like that and having the audience literally devour every episode is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. The build-up to the whole thing is creeping and cleverly navigated through the excellent interaction of the characters in the hotel, slowly but nerve-wrackingly building up to the finale, where everything cracks and it's (again!) incredible mental carnage. Add to that clever screenwriting, the disturbing ubiquitous music suggesting that "there's something in the air" and you've got a winner. Undoubtedly the show of the year, and Mike White has done it again. I could watch this every day. I WANT MORE! (02/01/2022)

A tv series that definitely catches your interest. We watch a plethora of insufferable guests, the worst characters imaginable, who compete to be the most hateful and the most deserving of a beating. But strangely, this group grabs you and doesn’t let you go. The story forces you to follow its plot, and I'm glad to say that the characters themselves don't remain at the point of stagnation. Outstanding acting performances especially by M. Bartlett and J. Coolidge, absolutely brilliant and atmospheric music that perfectly accompanies almost every scene, and I must praise the editing too. And that makes it a very successful miniseries. (20/08/2021)

A bit like Carry On Holiday, but this movie has a quality, satirical script, characters full of character and a semi-mystery plot that has you trying to guess who is going to kick the bucket. Mike White does an excellent job of capturing the imperfections of contemporary society. Aggrieved prima donas with too much money reveal what is important for today’s world and against this the lower classes are just trying to get by, giving birth at work, pretending to be something they aren’t and stealing. Every single acting performances are splendid, but the very best comes from Murray Bartlett as the hotel director, intoxicated by his guests. A great miniseries highlighting the failings of the contemporary world. (31/03/2022)