Critical Review - I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE (mini-series)

I Know This Much Is True (mini-series) Sky Atlantic -  spring 2020

BACKGROUND

Based on author Wally Lamb’s bestselling novel I Know This Much Is True HBO/FilmNation Entertainment mini-series (6 episodes) premiered on Sky Atlantic May 10 2020.

OVERVIEW

The main plot tracks the life of Dominick Birdsey and his intense, entangled, relationship with twin, Thomas; a paranoid schizophrenic. Revealing the boys’ early childhood where family secrets and disfunction ruled the day, Dominick’s sad and angry past merges into present day troubles in the form of flashbacks as he struggles to cope.

Actors Mark Ruffalo and Philip Ettinger play double roles. Each portray the twins Dominick and Thomas, with Ettinger playing younger versions of the Birdsey brothers.

REVIEW: Episodes 1 to 4 of 6

The title suggests that this is a story which is just as much about lies as it is about truth and the reviewer has had a theory from the off about the 'family secret'.

Therefore, so far, we have seen Dominick supporting his dying mother and eventually losing her, and she, taking with her to the grave, the identity of his and Thomas’s father. Ironically, the twin’s antagonistic stepfather, Ray (John Procaccino) remains living in Dominick’s ancestral home after her death.

Through Dominick’s memories we see Thomas transfer, in fragmentary moments, from being a socially difficult youngster, to a man who has severed his own hand in a public library declaring it as an act of political protest and purification. This manic episode results in Thomas being taken back into a care system which Dominick is fiercely against; he anticipates disaster for his brother's future.

Dominick is presented as the centrepin of the family and he displays such admirable intention to shoulder the burden of all the negativity that surrounds him. However, as the story unfolds, we learn that in an effort to balance the demands from his first family, with a new family (in the form of Dessa (Kathryn Hahn) and their tragic new born) that Dominick’s inner dialogue begins to reveal a gradual unravelling especially as he tries to cut ties with Thomas. Later on he feels shameful about this.

This not a joyous tale, but blood is thicker than water as the saying goes. in Ep 4., and concentrating on the present Dominick finds himself needing support, he’s hospitalised and traumatised. His relationship with girlfriend, Joy (Imogen Poots) is diminishing, and though he finds social worker, Lisa Sheffer (Rosie O’Donnell) fighting his corner his inability to be there for Thomas is causing him much angst.

Derek Cianfrance’s direction is a marvel, with the main plot storytelling darting back and forth yet coinciding with the sub-plots involving different time frames it is remarkable what he has achieved. Mostly, of course, it is demonstrating an ability to uphold the heart of the storytelling while allowing everything about this tale (grim and joyless as it is turning out to be), to continually make perfect sense on every kind of level. Artistically there’s much to be admired.

Reviewer wishes she saw other directors taking a leaf out of Cianfrance’s book, though feels that, he too, has fallen into the trap of having to stretch out scenes in order to fit the six-episode format.

While Ettinger’s performance as the young twins is worldly and quite beautiful, Ruffalo, on the other hand, takes his art to another level, his emotional intelligence is incredible, the pain and emotion in the acting and the camera close ups (of which there are many) is fascinating and captivating.

The successful casting is the main triumph here and probably gives this film series more credence than it may have otherwise accomplished.

Reviewer understands that the scenes in which Ruffalo plays Dominick were filmed at a separate time from when playing Thomas, allowing Ruffalo to gain weight so his physical appearance allowed him to clearly differentiate better his portrayal of twins with very different personalities, with the help of wardrobe changes this is achieved.

Recommended.

**ENDS** 

Review by critic Debra Hall (UK)