'My Brilliant Friend': The show manages to recreate the sense of dilapidation of Elena Ferrante's novel
Rarely has an adaptation of a book been able to achieve what 'My Brilliant Friend' has gained within the first four episodes. Starring Margherita Mazzucco (as Elena/Lenu) and Gaia Girace (as Raffaella/Lila), the Saverio Costanzo-adaptation of Elena Ferrante's first book in the Neapolitan series follows the plight of two young girls whose friendship is put to the test not just by the feud in the neighborhood between the rich and the poor, but also by how the brilliance of one friend is perceived as a threat by the other friend.
As a show, 'My Brilliant Friend', had the freedom of diverting from the text which provides very little insight into Lila's sentiments. Throughout the book, Lila is a human being who is observed by her best friend, Lenu, as the two explore the silent yet violent corners of their little neighborhood.
