Another moving winner from Campion
Atmospheric and complex drama permeate Season 2 of Top Of The Lake, writes Aref Omar
deal with workplace misogyny, as well as rekindle a relationship with her once troubled brother.
A victim of rape, Robin had given birth to a baby girl, which she gave up 17 years ago.
When she receives a letter from the teenager who wants to see her, Robin is conflicted on how to go about it but eventually meets up with the girl, named Mary (Alice Englert), and her upper-middle class adoptive parents, Pyke and Julia Edwards (Ewen Leslie and Nicole Kidman).
There’s trouble at home too, with Mary’s parents’ recent separation. But most worrying of all is Mary’s romantic relationship with Alexander “Puss” Braun (David Dencik), a 40-something charismatic East German character who is linked to a brothel.
Meanwhile at work, Robin takes on a grim case, when the body of an Asian girl stuffed in a suitcase ends up on the sandy shores of Bondi Beach. Partnered with an eager constable, Miranda Hilmarson (Gwendoline Christie), the seemingly odd couple then get to the bottom of things, starting with the body, dubbed China Girl.
More heavy drama than police procedural, don’t expect flashy shootouts or action scenes here. Instead, get ready for some heady character-driven narratives where the whole cast gets to subtly shine.
The various characters, storylines and layers are all connected and expertly intertwined by Campion, who co-wrote the series.
There are moments where it gets a bit messy and unbelievable in the earlier parts but it all leads to a massive and tense buildup. Eventually everything ties up together Elisabeth Moss is Detective Robin Griffin in Top Of The Lake. nicely for a very satisfying ending.
The moderate pacing of the six episodes in this miniseries, each with its own intro, mid-section and ending, surprisingly draws the viewer in and flies by quickly.
Dreamy cinematography and a droning score help to elevate the drama behind the characters’ regrets and disappointments, as well as hopes and chances of redemption.
Among the outstanding cast, Moss and Englert (Campion’s real life daughter) turn in the most affecting performances.
Moss’ display of vulnerability and gradual outpouring of inner strength makes for great viewing, while Englert convincingly inhabits her role as a hurt teenager on a rebellious rampage who eventually realises that she is out of her depth.
The impressive series also touches on surrogacy, prostitution, infertility, mother-daughter relationships, the maternal instinct, class differences, privilege and power, which gives the viewer much to think about long after the conclusion of the final episode.
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