Sharp Objects - My Thoughts 💭

"Sharp Objects" - Dir. Jean Marc Vallee with a Screenplay by Gillian Flynn

Who doesn't enjoy a solid mystery/thriller? Although I responded to some elements of the film adaptation of Gillian Flynn's bestseller "Gone Girl" (2014) - it is definitely overrated. The second adaptation "Dark Places" (2015) starring Charlize Theron was overall lacklustre. "Sharp Objects" is the latest adaptation of a Gillian Flynn novel. This time as a stand alone series for HBO, with the screenplay also adapted by Flynn, directed by Jean Marc Vallee (the director behind "Big Little Lies") and starring Amy Adams and Patricia Clarkson.

"Sharp Objects" concerns Amy Adams’ character Camille, an investigative journalist returning to her hometown to cover the story of two missing girls presumed dead. Her research into the article dredges up past trauma that further affects her already fragile mental state (which frankly questions why she would bother to come back to this town to begin with). Adams' Camille stays with matriarch, Adora Crelen (Patricia Clarkson) and younger sister Amma (Eliza Scanlen). 'On the case' Camille works with and begins a relationship with town Detective Richard Willis played by Chris Messina (Ted from TV’s "Six Feet Under").

Amy Adams gives a commanding performance at times, and does well with what she's got to work with, but the screenplay is just not cutting enough to allow viewers to really buy into the machinations behind Adams' complex character. It's all lead up - no real pay off. The dialogue is also incredibly prosaic at times. I'm unsure if this is representative of Flynn's novel or if it's there to pad out proceedings for the eight episode limited series. Amy Adams’ performance would have fared better in a feature length film rather than stretching this story to breaking point, as well as a new screenwriter (preferably David E. Kelley) not Flynn adapting her own work.

Episode one and two start strong. It's initially dark, moody and atmospheric. A kind of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" vibe to the southern town. You're excited about what's to come and see how the mystery is going to unfold. Episodes three and four tend to peter off a little, but episodes five, six and seven don't speed up the plot and are self-indulgent, bordering on ridiculous at times (such as vague motivations by some characters). Such is the case that the characterisations don't go anywhere. Finally, the last episode picks up as things start to happen in order to reconcile Camille's fate and solve the mystery, yet the twist was unfortunately expected (Spoilers). Camille's sister Amma bordered on psychotic all along. In the shop in an early episode, her friends implied "it wasn't the COOL girls that were getting killed" in response to Camille inquiring why they weren't at home when there was a killer on the loose. This foreshadowing lacked subtlety in my opinion which did not help in keeping you hooked on the central mystery.

On the whole, this limited series feels misjudged, overly long, but with much potential for thrills, real character development and exploration of themes, yet instead viewers get a dreary mishmash of random scenes, contrived dialogue and character interactions that stretch credulity. Very disappointing given the amount of talent involved in the project. I unfortunately can’t recommend this one, so watch at your own peril.

I’m giving “Sharp Objects” ⭐️ ⭐️ out of five

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You can also check out my review below of the first 3 episodes of “Big Little Lies” - Season 2