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Honored Contributor
Posts: 36,048
Registered: ‎08-19-2010

Reminder of PBS show Sunday night

‘The Miniaturist’ Review: PBS’s Gorgeous Miniseries Is Also Wonderfully Spooky !

Sunday night 8 central/ 9 Eastern

 
 
 
 

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At first glance, PBS’s The Miniaturist is a show that might be easy to dismiss. It takes place in 17th century Amsterdam, where the colors are (for the most part) particularly muted. It looks quiet, staid, buttoned-up. Its title refers to the maker of tiny items to go in doll houses. How riveting could that be? Very much so, actually. Mostly because the miniaturist of the title is not someone we meet until the end of the three-episode series, although their creations seem to be driving the story.

The Miniaturist follows a beautiful but poor girl (isn’t that always the way?) Petronella a..k.a. Nella Oortman (played by Anya Taylor-Joy), who has married a handsome, charming, and fabulously wealthy merchant, Johannes Brandt (Alex Hassell) as a way to save her family from poverty. They know almost nothing about each other, and as Nella mentions several times, Johannes essentially owns her, as her mother sold her to a man who couldn’t otherwise find a wife. And with so much to recommend him, why not?

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Image via PBS

From the start, The Miniaturist hits us with unexpected humor as well as spooky overtones, neither of which are necessarily expected in such a costumed production. The editing is quick and the story is well-paced (for the most part), allowing for quirky introductions and snappy though frugal dialogue. In a whirlwind, Nella is shipped off to Amsterdam to live with Johannes, who doesn’t seem to have much of an interest in her, and she is greeted instead by his cold and pious sister Marin (Romola Garai). Despite their supposed wealth, the Brandt’s household is small, and includes a maid Cornelia (Hayley Squires) and a butler-of-sorts, Otto (Paapa Essiedu). Cornelia and Otto welcome Nella far more so than the siblings, and yet, never let her out of their sight (or out of the house alone). It lends a claustrophobic feeling to the proceedings, which is augmented when Johannes presents his new bride with an unusual wedding gift: a giant dollhouse replica of their home, which she is to furnish from a local miniaturist.

Though Nella is initially a little frightened of the piece, which looms in her room (that she does not share with Johannes — it’s clear from the start that something is not typical with him and his household), she soon embraces the idea of having small items added to the rooms. Yet soon she starts receiving packages for items she didn’t order, ones that seem to predict what will happen within the house, with increasingly violent results.

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Image via PBS

The Miniaturist is not a horror series, though it can often feel like one. There are jump-scares and some spooky moments, as well as a few well-placed dramatic reveals. For those hoping that there is a supernatural angle at play, don’t get your hopes up toohigh — the series posits many questions and only answers a few (mostly in its third hour, which drags somewhat). And yet, there is something very unique about The Miniaturist’s story and the way its presented, not the least of which are its Vermeer-esque aesthetics. The relationship between Nella and Johannes is also not traditional, and with more time the show could have explored their dynamic with more depth. But as it is, things move along so swiftly that by the end (after running only a little longer than a feature film), it’s a shock to realize you were engrossed by a series whose whole premise rested almost entirely on the selling of sugar.

There are a few really interesting storylines broached casually in the series that would have benefitted from more episodes, including Otto (who is black) and his experiences in Amsterdam after being saved from a Portuguese slave ship, and the escalation of “purity” raids on homes by the military who are controlled by a ruling religious body. There’s also Nella’s emotional journey from naive farm girl to a woman running a merchant’s city estate, but perhaps it’s best that The Miniaturistleaves us wanting more than the other way around, especially given the uneven finale. Ultimately, like the dollhouse the seems to rule their lives, the series is a window into another world that is dazzling, strange, and somewhat inscrutable.

Rating: ★★★

The Miniaturist premieres Sunday, September 9th on PBS, and will be available on Digital HD September 10th, DVD and Blu-ray September 18th.

 
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Image via PBS

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Image via PBS

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Image via PBS

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Image via PBS

Honored Contributor
Posts: 37,847
Registered: ‎06-11-2011

Re: Reminder of PBS show Sunday night

I don't think all PBS shows air at the same time in all cities.  

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,048
Registered: ‎06-14-2010

Re: Reminder of PBS show Sunday night

Thank you sharke for your informative description.  I have had my DVR set for this series and am looking forward to it.  Whenever Masterpiece Theater has a new offering I am always eager and ready for it.  I love new series although I watch long running ones also of course.  In fact Poldark returns Sept. 30th and has been an outstanding presentation.  The original one was great too.

 

I wanted to read the Miniaturist but have so many books to get through, I didn't.  I always feel the book is so much more detailed but I am confident this mini series will be excellent in the acting, settings and all it offers.

 

 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,328
Registered: ‎08-20-2012

Re: Reminder of PBS show Sunday night

   Thanks for the reminder and information.  I was going to skip the show. The title just did not seem very intriguing!  But will watch on Sunday.....

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,219
Registered: ‎07-27-2015

Re: Reminder of PBS show Sunday night

@SharkE Thank you...Thank you..Thank you...I forgot about this series...the previews were interesting...setting the DVR!!!

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,823
Registered: ‎11-06-2013

Re: Reminder of PBS show Sunday night

Have it set to record, but am even more excited to watch now. 

 

Thanks, @SharkE for the in-depth info! 👍

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 36,048
Registered: ‎08-19-2010

Re: Reminder of PBS show Sunday night

My sisters and I are all big lovers of PBS quality programming

One told me to remind her, so, I thought I'll remind everybody LOL

 

Only ones I skip are Jane Austen stuff don't care for her stuff. I'm more

into historical shows, but, this one sounds weird like what's going on

in that 'doll' house. LOL

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,293
Registered: ‎03-15-2010

Re: Reminder of PBS show Sunday night

I read the book last week and while it started off well, it went downhill.  I am going to watch at least the first episode and see if I enjoy the movie version more.  I enjoy costume dramas, so maybe I'll like it better.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,342
Registered: ‎09-10-2012

Re: Reminder of PBS show Sunday night

I'll be watching, too! Masterpiece Theatre rarely disappoints and this one sounds intriguing.

 

Hoping it'll prove more interesting than your experience with the book, @dawg lover. I haven’t read it yet. 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 36,048
Registered: ‎08-19-2010

Re: Reminder of PBS show Sunday night

I liked the show !

The person who does the exquisite tiny furniture has talent for sure

she needs to get rid of the household  and hire her own help. LOL