Exploring the depths of “Lady in the Lake”: A tale of ambition and consequence
In the realm of television adaptations, few stories capture the intricate dance of ambition and consequence as vividly as “Lady in the Lake.” Based on Laura Lippman’s novel and brought to life by Alma Har’el, this Apple TV+ series delves into the lives of two women in 1966 Baltimore, Maryland. With a stellar cast including Natalie Portman and Moses Ingram, the series promises a gripping narrative, though it occasionally stumbles in its execution.
A tale of two women
At the heart of “Lady in the Lake” are two women whose lives, though initially parallel, eventually intersect with dramatic consequences. Maddie Schwartz, portrayed by Natalie Portman, is a Jewish housewife and mother yearning to escape her monotonous life and fulfill her dream of becoming a journalist. On the other side of town, Cleo Johnson, played by Moses Ingram, is a young Black mother striving to create a better future for her two sons. Her husband, Slappy (Byron Bowers), is chasing his comedy dreams, leaving Cleo to juggle multiple jobs, including working for the notorious gangster Shell Gordon (Wood Harris).
The series opens with a chilling crime: a girl goes missing after the Thanksgiving Day Parade, setting off a frantic search. Maddie, feeling trapped in her domestic life, seizes this opportunity to break free. She leaves her husband Milton (Brett Gelman) and teenage son Seth (Noah Jupe) and moves to The Bottom, Baltimore’s Black neighborhood. Her discovery of the girl’s body in the lake becomes her ticket into the newsroom at The Baltimore Star newspaper.
The unraveling of Cleo’s world
While Maddie is busy carving out her career, Cleo’s life takes a darker turn. Desperate for more income, she takes on additional work under Shell Gordon, a decision that ultimately leads to her tragic demise. Maddie, now invigorated by her new role at the newspaper and her life in The Bottom, decides to use Cleo’s death to further her career. However, her relentless ambition blinds her to the impact of her actions on the Black community she has inserted herself into.
Despite the strong performances by Portman and the rest of the cast, Maddie’s character often comes across as insufferable. Her single-minded pursuit of her goals, without regard for the consequences on those around her, makes it difficult for the audience to sympathize with her. As the series progresses, the full extent of Maddie’s past is revealed, forcing viewers to grapple with their feelings towards her.
A surrealist approach
One of the most polarizing aspects of “Lady in the Lake” is its use of surrealist elements. Har’el’s direction often veers into puzzling and unnecessary exposition, detracting from the core narrative. Episode 6, titled “I know who killed Cleo Johnson,” is a prime example. This 45-minute episode is dominated by an overlong dream sequence that, while visually stunning thanks to JC Molina’s production design and Shiona Turini’s costumes, adds little to the story. Eliminating this episode could have resulted in a more focused and compelling series.
The series’ surrealist fragments disrupt the flow of the narrative, diluting the mystery and tension that should drive the story. Instead of a cohesive thriller, “Lady in the Lake” feels like two detailed tapestries awkwardly stitched together, leaving the audience overwhelmed by the sheer volume of details to process.
A reflection on ambition and privilege
“Lady in the Lake” ultimately serves as a reflection on the price women pay for their ambitions, particularly in the pre-Women’s Rights movement era. Both Maddie and Cleo face rampant misogyny as they strive to break free from their prescribed roles. However, the series falls short of maintaining a suspenseful tension, instead reiterating well-known themes. it starkly contrasts the costs of racism with the potential freedom afforded by privilege and whiteness.
The first two episodes of “Lady in the Lake” premiere on July 19 on Apple TV+, with new episodes released weekly on Fridays. For those intrigued by the complex interplay of ambition, privilege, and consequence, this series offers a thought-provoking, if occasionally frustrating, viewing experience.
For more information and to watch the trailer, visit: Lady in the Lake.