‘The Decameron' Review: Funny and downright cheeky, Netflix serves up the best comedy in a long time
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Netflix's creative juices are flowing abundantly as the streaming service debuted a new medieval black comedy series called 'The Decameron' after the tremendous success of 'Bridgerton' Season 3.
Inspired by Giovanni Boccaccio's masterpiece of the same name, the show brings together a group of affluent nobles and their servants in a sumptuous home, giving them a retreat from the epidemic destroying Florence in 1348. As the story develops, the characters's lives become interwoven in unexpected ways as they engage in revelry and turmoil, resulting in a sequence of humorous and tragic occurrences.
With its vivid characters and keen social satire, 'The Decameron' offers a one-of-a-kind combination of humor and historical intrigue.
'The Decameron' excels with character-driven narrative
We are all still reeling from the damage that COVID-19 wrought around the world, and 'The Decameron' paints an exact analogy.
You could sense the turmoil and despair in the characters, which is comparable to what we all experienced during the lockdown, and this is what makes the show shine even brighter, as it weaves a gripping narrative full of wit, humor, and social criticism.
Kathleen Jordan's script notably mixes grave historical subjects with light-hearted, character-driven humor. Her writing is a marvel as it effectively mixes the Black Death's tragic weight with moments of light-hearted escape.
Even the dialogues are sharp and smart, often provoking chuckles with brilliant exchanges and situational humor with each character possessing well-defined personalities demonstrated through snappy and frequently humorous exchanges.
While taking creative liberties, the screenplay exhibits a thorough awareness of the historical setting, establishing the drama in a plausible environment.
'The Decameron' shines bright with a stellar cast
Another positive aspect of the show that stands out is its magnificent ensemble, which brings to life the vivid and quirky personalities of the medieval era.
Zosia Mamet excels as the deceitful Pampinea, imbuing her with a frenzied appeal that is both sympathetic and humorous. Mamet lends an ideal balance of charm and cunning to her performance in the show.
Saoirse-Monica Jackson, fresh off her breakthrough in 'Derry Girls,' delivers a marvelously frantic performance as Misia, whose persistent state of near-madness lends an element of unpredictability to the storyline.
Tanya Reynolds, from 'Sex Education,' steals scenes as Licisca, expertly combining the character's cunning with moments of tenderness. Her chemistry with Amar Chadha-Patel, who portrays the handsome quack doctor Dioneo, is explosive, lending a gripping romance undercurrent to the show.
Amar Chadha-Patel’s acting is similarly outstanding, combining sophisticated elegance with a naughty edge to make his character stand out.
While the show shines bright with captivating performances and visually spectacular medieval costumes, it fails to continuously generate laugh-out-loud moments over the course of its eight episodes.
Additionally, the combination of humor and drama often seems imbalanced and may not connect with many viewers.
However, you should watch the show program owing to its outstanding performances, exquisite gowns, and a fresh twist on a classic tale.
The fast-paced narrative, rich setting, and compelling cast make it an entertaining series for anyone searching for a medieval adventure with a contemporary comic touch.
'The Decameron' trailer