LADY IN THE LAKE is a twisted thriller that showcases the lives of two women living in Baltimore during the turbulent year 1966. It is a raw, seedy story that shares the price women had to pay and the hoops they jumped through to follow their dreams. Obviously, their lives are fraught with terror, lust, racial discrimination, and violence every day.
Maddie (Natalie Portman) and Cleo (Moses Ingram) are phenomenal and perfect in their journey for a better life. Their total immersion into these characters is what gives this series, so far, the necessary credibility. The fear and anguish in their eyes give us pause and permission to think about how far we would go. My heart broke for both ladies trapped within a society that was just on the brink of change for women. Their defeated physicality and body language are stunning, brilliant gifts for upcoming actors learning their craft. Kudos to director Alma Har’el for her patience and creative vision.Â
LADY IN THE LAKE is not a sit-back, feel-good drama. Its pacing is slow, and the plot does not connect. However, it is a slice of America’s underbelly and past dark decade. I hope we can now say how much life has improved, but sadly enough, the jury is still out for this series.
It is streaming on Apple TV+.