Seasons(2) / Episodes(17)
Plots(1)
Heidi Bergman starts working in a private facility designed to help war veterans transition back to life within the confines of the reality they have once left behind. She tries to support the soldiers while following the programme’s rigid set rules, whose usefulness she constantly questions. Additionally, she has to take calls from her boss and listen to his aggressive ranting, which suggests the man is more interested in data-mining than the soldiers’ well-being. Four years later, Heidi works as a waitress in a local diner and lives with her mother. One day, her peaceful and predictable world is invaded by an investigator from the Department of Defence, who enquires about her former work. Feeling that the federal agent is holding the truth from her, the woman is reluctant to reminisce about the past, and seems to have forgotten many names and events. She is used to such treatment, as she felt constantly manipulated in the facility, although the visit makes her suspect that, without realising it, she had been a part of something truly terrifying. (Camerimage)
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Reviews (2)
A formally brilliantly filmed investigation of a strange wellness facility in Tampa, Florida for war veterans. It confronts the unfair practices of pharmaceutical companies with thought-provoking ideas. If it works, what's wrong with it? Who's the hypocrite here? Bobby Cannavale is great, his smarmy executive is engaging even over the phone. Julia Roberts, though she is a first rate star and does a very good job doesn't really fit here for me. I think the first draft of the script should have gone for a younger girl out of school and with no experience rather than an older lady, but this one, as Geist would say, sells it better. The spark between her and a medicated 20 year old soldier would have been more believable. Still, Sam Esmail is a master of the form and his projects always make sense. Hopefully we will see more projects from him soon.
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How much did Heidi know? Not that I don't understand why a derogatory label “emptied stylistic exercise" was used, but it simply doesn't fit for one simple reason. As it turns out in the second half, the subliminal über-form that is deliberately slowly being built and which cherish conspiracy thrillers (Esmail and Campbell shall have the credit) is not a reason, but a tool. On top of that this tool does the job, because despite the seeming being cold and reserved, it is surprisingly emotional in the final episodes. Which works thanks to the fact that we gradually get to like the characters that keep making mistakes. | S1: 4/5 |
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