User reviews

Family dysfunction reigns supreme in this oft-uncomfortable psycho-drama set in bucolic Maine over the course of 25 recent years. Nice, gentle, middle-aged pharmacist and sensitive, caring man married to a hard=edged, stern and very often mean schoolteacher who knows she is sick and "a beast" but cannot change her hurtful and often hateful ways, even to her own son who is obviously more like his dad, a nice boy scarred forever by his mother's mean words and insensitive nature. Depression "runs" in her family, she said, and it is easy to spot throughout in her as she suffers progressively from it as the story develops.

Frances McDormand shines bright in her demanding role as the hard-as-nails wife and mother who finds it so hard to show love or even "like" to her family, and she is always more than ready with a scathing snipe no matter the occasion or person, even at their son's wedding. Richard Jenkins is also very impressive as her good guy husband who is always nice, friendly and comforting to those around him who need it most. His Yin to her Yang, totally.

Coastal Massachusetts scenery subbing for Maine is stunning and beautifully shot. The script, though excellent and always engrossing, is often discomforting to watch, as there is little levity in it and things often get very serious and mean-spirited. No everyman crowd-pleaser this one, but it is very intelligently done and packs a hard and lasting, dysfunctional family/mental health punch for viewers expecting more from premium channel TV than silly laughs and chuckles from junk programming. Not many laughs here, just quality storytelling you will not easily forget.

You could watch this series along with "Terms Of Endearment" and get a really good dose of dysfunctional family dynamics. And learn something about growing old. And that we're not all that different. You can learn a lot from tough ol' broads. Or you can resent them. The one thing we know is, they will outlive their supposed time on Earth.

The titular character is played pitch perfect by Frances McDormand. Already an old soul when we first seen her in the Coen Brothers movies, she is the epitome of hard as rock stubborn New Englander. Educated by life experiences, her harsh reality is that tragedy has shaped her into a flawed diamond. Indestructible in her set ways, she lives with regret and unknowing to her (but every clear to us) projects her resentment towards the people who actually love her. Unfortunately, in her path is her kind hearted husband Henry Kitteridge (Richard Jenkins), in a stunningly sympathetic and patient man who reaches out to help lost young girls, but does so with the distancing manner of a father. There appears a sexual predator is a foot, but that isn't Henry's nature. He is the town pharmacist who we can see may have had bigger dreams in life, but is content to fulfill his duties to the community. He's seen first as a step rug, then a sounding board, but finally…a man. All the parts of which make up a marriage in a small town community dynamic. We could've/would've/should've is pushed so far into the backburner as to cause conflict. And the developments of our youth are shaped by the overwhelming need of parents to control. You will reap what you sow. There wasn't a false moment in this mini-series. It's often painful, a lot of humor, bittersweet moments, tragedy and a lot of moments as I watched the outcome of their history turn to foreshadowed misery that I mutter "Damn…that sucks that happened." Not out of pity, but that it is a universal storyline that we all get sickened by.

There are a lot of moments of grimness. In particular, the ease of resolution and mental issues. Even as late as my own generation, mental illness was seen as an embarrassment. People were considered spazzes if they were hyperactive. Or if their parent had drug addiction or drinking problems, they'd be ignored. The kids tend to shrug that off. That's the issue though. Cause life will give us obstacles in the form of relatives or spawn. We are owed nothing, but seem to carry on this notion we're suppose to be living someone else's life. We suppress our needs, if we genuinely care about people. Lost are the times when we hold back, now is the time when people often give up too soon. Is Olive's decision to power through life unhappy the right course for you? Probably not. But it's something to be admired. This mini-series is amazing.

There will, I think, never be a film series that even approaches this film's excellence. It is one of the most uniquely cast and expertly played works of art I will probably ever experience. The performances were staggeringly riveting. Frances McDormand and the rest of her supporting cast were magnificent. I did not want it to end and I surely will not describe the minutiae of it for fear I would give away its essence.

Brava to Frances McDormand acting in and producing a film made for her and Bravo to Richard Jenkins, with whom I fell in love. Three cheers to all the other actors who made this film great.

This series brings the complexities of living to the screen. Life, as Olive says, confounds her and it does me as well. I'll bet most of us in our small worlds can say that too as life does not always live up to one's expectations of it and we are often trapped by those who came into our lives through no fault of our own. There were WONDERFUL performances all around. See it. It is a must.

Never comfortable to watch, this gem as a story and as a vehicle for incredible performances is not to be missed. The story can be summarized in a very brief exchange between Olive and her husband Henry. The latter, a sucker for greeting cards it seems, buys Olive a simple little card that says "For My Wife". Inside the message is "Simply to say I love you" and his initial as a signature. It's Fathers Day, but he has purchased his wife some flowers and this card. He hands her the card and says "I love you." She reads it and replies "Yes, you do", handing him back both the card and the flowers with dirty garden-stained hands.

This is a dark, dismal, dreary narrative with extreme moments of touching emotion and fleeting happiness. Life for all of the characters in this story is a constant succession of negativity and hopelessness. And Olive is The Queen of the Depressed. Townspeople, too, are for the most part, cantankerous: Henry's initial store clerk; Olive's friend, Bonnie; the high school secretary; a customer standing in line at a pharmacy. Someone peed in all of their cereal. And it is the pathetic,somebody's-gotta-play-the-clown Henry who recommends to a Valium-addicted schizophrenic customer that she buy brighter light bulbs to fend off depression.

The performances are so intricate and under-played. How can playing a depressed person be intricate? Watch Frances McDormand's depiction of Olive. It's a must for any actor, and sheer joy for an audience member. And the supporting cast's performances are no less exemplary. Richard Jenkins as Henry provides phenomenal contrast. He really is the "yang" to Olive's "yin". And it is precisely this complementary distribution in their philosophies of life (as characters) and performances (as actors) that makes this truly one of the most amazing films. However, it is frequently extremely uncomfortable to watch because of the level of negativity we are compelled to watch. There are two scenes (one on a seaside cliff and the other at a piano bar) that are positively creepy but so perfect for the character who is envisioning them, another inhabitant of this Village of the Damned. Are there any happy people in this town? No. Henry and maybe one or two other characters try to cheer things up, but one feels as if they are doomed in their attempts to shed light on the rest.

This drama is sadly sympathetic, and no less pathetic a depiction of a jaundiced relationship than George and Martha in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" The latter is certainly more bombastic than this film, which makes "Olive Kitteridge" even sadder as it is reflected in these lives of quiet desperation.

These are award-winning performances, script, and film. Don't miss it.

This is an extra-ordinary piece of television. Where so many mini-series are constantly driven by a thread that drives it forward with momentum, this doesn't have that same urgency, which allows it to explore its themes in a way I don't think many TV series or mini-series have done. It's so wonderfully crafted, in all aspects. But really, it's the writing and performances where its true power soars. The acting is magnificent, McDormand might've just outdone her work in Fargo. A truly soulful, aching, incredibly heartfelt performance. We see Olive and her various flaws, and yet we can't help but sympathize with her and like her despite everything she does. The mark of a true revelation. Kind of hard to describe in words, but the acclaim is justified.

Olive Kitteridge is a fable regarding original people in original situations. The subtlety with which Lisa Cholodenko carries the four-hour mini-series is what emphasizes the story about a woman who is childish yet cruel, sappy yet caring, wildly honest yet deeply depressed.

I like Frances McDormand very much. Her cheekbones speak more than her mouth, and in here, the air she adopts of the titular character is splendid. She makes you wanna hate her and love her at the same time. Supported by the great Richard Jenkins and amusing Bill Murray, the story of the life of Mrs. Kitteridge is what we can relate to with our own lives. Elizabeth Strout's Pulitzer Prize winning novel gleams originality and its adaptation doesn't lag any behind.

The four episodes each talk about certain periods of her life and it ends with a very good moral. The characters hold truth in them and we start becoming judgmental, without even knowing it. Themes such as bereavement, depression, and paranoia is rampant in the series and you will be stunned to find connections between them.

The actors have been directed and shot well. The countryside locations serve as the perfect background for the story. I must say I am impressed by the whole cast and crew for giving me a piece of pie called Olive Kitteridge.

BOTTOM LINE: Not many people know about this series, and it will be my duty to recommend it to people who love original dramas that are not just crime-related a la Fargo (2014) and True Detective (2014).

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

I've just read some of the negative reviews about Olive Ketteridge. I thought it was obvious what we were getting into in the first 30 minutes of this brilliant mini series. Yes it's a bit downbeat. But Olive Ketteridge is about real people and real situations, and let's face it it reflects certain areas of real life. I think we've all known characters like the ones portrayed in Olive Ketteridge. All the performances are spot on. Plus there are many areas of Olive Ketteridge that made this viewer smile. So I don't see the negativity. Maybe the negative reviews come from people who wanted to see a Deloris Claybourne or a True Detctive. Olive Ketteridge is about love, loss and what ifs, and that's about it.. But it's told so well that one almost forgets that the story's so simple.

If you liked McDormand's performance in Fargo, Olive Kitteridge will surely not disappoint. I look forward to reading the book now and only wish that perhaps I'd read it before watching the mini-series. I loved much about this mini-series but most especially the straightforward way that depression is handled. Olive is a complex character (not all bad or all good) and while her behavior might be tough to swallow, McDormand treats us to a realistic portrayal of the disease of depression and how is affects every facet of her life and those around her. Some well played foreshadowing moments and times of contradictory behavior make the plot and characters more interesting. I gave it a 10/10 because this is the kind of movie I enjoy, but know that it might not appeal to everyone, especially if you just want to watch a feel good or relaxing movie. This one will challenge you to think a bit more and examine your own dysfunctional behavior (and/or that of your family) which may not be too comfortable. Also enjoyed the other characters, especially Henry and Christopher.

The main character is mesmerizing.OK she has some issues, but I loved her character. Only bad thing about this series is that it is too short (((

Frances McDormand is Olive Kitteridge, a hard-core no-nonsense New Englander dealing with a case of inner turmoil manifesting in bouts of indigestion and an impolite, abrupt attitude. Not a sweet woman, and not unlike some sour school teachers I knew in New Hampshire.

The supporting cast is fantastic. Richard Jenkins as Olive's husband Henry Kitteridge is spot on. John Gallagher Jr. as their son portrays a young man's dynamic struggle to accept his parents and their ways. Cory Michael Smith's portrayal of the older Kevin Coulson is amazing, and it is hoped we see more of him in future roles.

Some of the bit parts are charming. Ann Dowd as the Kitteridge's friend Bonnie Newton shines as what one might think a genuine Downeasterner. Martha Wainwright appears repeatedly as Angela O'Meara, a pianist and singer all dolled up and performing in the restaurant piano bars, lending some levity to the darkness.

There are a large number of great actors and actresses giving excellent performances, which provide this drama with a vastness going beyond the usual character development. It is not a cute romantic comedy or anything like that, so if you're looking for something lighter Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks starred in some very nice films. This is not like any of that, it's a truly remarkable work of art.

I barely made it through the first bleak, depressing episodes. There is so much cruelty. Frances McDormand gives her usual fine performance, but I know a few too many folks like Olive and don't want to invite them to my house for the length of this miniseries.

I love Frances McDormand and Richard Jenkins since I saw them both in Burn after reading. That was when I started to collect (and see) all movies from the Coen brothers, including Fargo, where Frances McDormand was very good. And I always see every movie which has Richard Jenkins as well. But that here was when I realized how incredibly good actors they both are, it just was magic. Like I was spying on some family somehow, you never felt it was just acting. The story was sad, and sometimes embarrassing, but it had wonderful pictures and it was so.... human. I had to keep looking. And in the end there was hope as well. So maybe I should have given more than 8 points, for the acting was definitely 10/10.

I've had some time to review the reviews of this miniseries. It would seem that the subset of posters that moan "why would anybody watch this depressing series and mean spirited" title character are predisposed to not like an excellent, and nuanced drama and see it instead as trauma. One poster went as far as to say why would they "hurt" themselves by watching this. It seems the point that this is a character study seldom found on TV was missed by those predisposed to miss it.

A few other things missed. The show details a fascinating study of interpersonal attitudes. On a surface Olive is "mean spirited", but more objectively she is a conduit of truth going her entire life stating what is fairly accurate feedback. She is highly intelligent, analytical, (Math teacher) and see's through others shortcomings, challenges, and openly comments on them. For this, in an age of non stop reinforcement, coddling, unconditional regard, she is viewed as a "witch" evil, destructive, and generally the reason all is wrong with others. Ignoring entirely the shortcomings, or very similar nihilism exhibited by almost all the other characters. Starting with her son who this viewer also saw as "mean spirited" but without any regard, and less virtue. The son seems to evaluate every adult he comes into contact with dismissively, or with lack of regard. From the outset one see's this character as one who will go through the rest of their life in therapy, blame others for their being, and while being caustic in interactions and even with peers. Including the student who Olive defended. A student she defended from cruelty, and even from her own son. The son exists as a borderline sociopath throughout. Not connected with family enough to even spend time at the dinner table. Judging and smirking in nearly every scene. Seemingly oblivious to any of his own interactional characteristics. Later in life we see the son as somebody who is a punitive rather than permissive with children and who has oddly learned to be inflexible and impatient as a parent but who now rants about the influences of Olive while doing worse to the children he rears.

Lost entirely is the son living a comparatively idyllic life on a beautiful property in Maine. A property with beach, walking paths, places for children to explore. What child wouldn't love that opportunity? Contrast this with the bombed out backyard in the neighborhood with dog feces sidewalks and urban decay that the younger couple has chosen as a place to raise children. Complete with a spouse who drinks during pregnancy because yeast is good or some such nonsense. In other words harming a child even before birth. But this same mother, despite her own obvious flaws (for instance not providing her progeny with stable fathers or stable upbringing) is flatly dismissive of Olive making her apologize to an acting out child, demeaning her, talking down to her, and figuratively with Olive put in the dingy basement room which is symbolic of imposed hierarchy. Contrast this with the beautiful property and house granted to Chris and his short lived wife. These are intentionally put in as contrasting comparisons of respective treatment.

Reasonable commentary can occur that the truly " mean spirited" actions are taken up by some of the younger people featured in the series that are entirely dismissive, mocking, and mean at least in response to Olive. Because she doesn't match the unconditional regard prototype, and she is instead, honest. Watch the series a second time and witness how many times Olive is actually wrong in an assessment. She merely lacks the white lies inherent in contrived nicety. The kind of nicety that smiles at you with forced raised lips but that curses and demeans the mother of the son at her wedding when Olive is thought not to be in earshot.

Another inter-generational prejudice is featured when the Fathers ex employee openly, and contemptuously questions the sale of the pharmacy and that they take advantage of "people like you". The disrespect was so blatant that the nice to a fault Henry was virtually forced to respond "its none of your business". The employee owes Henry his career, his opportunity, and even his wife (which Henry setup) but is openly disrespectful of him. An under riding theme throughout is a world turned upside down (or is it) of children in control, of parents getting down on their knees apologizing, and ignoring behavior at every turn. Interestingly the same Chris who viewed his parents relationship dismissively engages in a marriage that lasts a few months and in which he is sleeping in bed, while his wife curses looking for an earring on the wedding night. A couple who's relationship was over before it even started.

Interestingly the few deepest characters in the movie, including the husband, and Bill Murray, as well as the depressed young man, and the waitress, they get Olive, they get what she see's. In the end Olive saved all of them and including herself. That's the last, and integral part missed, is that Olive isn't just mean, she's a seeing savior.

Frances McDormand is one of the greatest actresses of our time, in my opinion, rivaling Meryl Streep. Her performance was amazing and a sight to behold on screen. The entire cast aids her performance such as Richard Jenkins and Bill Murray.

McDormand's character Olive Kitteridge is very cold and a hard person to love. She is depressed and takes her frustration and anger out on others. However, the writing is stellar because the narrative changes quickly without warning. Despite the name of the show, it is not all about Olive Kitteridge. The series focuses on other characters, the town and the relationships of others.

I was very young when I watched this show. I was 12 and I was on a plane. I fell in love with the cinematography and the acting. The themes of the series are quite dark such as suicide, depression and regret, but it is important to see because of how beautiful the writing, acting and directing is. Each episode is an important part of the life of Olive Kitteridge that spans a little over 25 years. I recommend this show for anyone who loves watching stunning performances and beautiful cinematography!

This show (technically mini-series) is incredible. I first heard about it while watching the 2015 Emmys, and decided to watch it after it dominated there, winning 8 awards, out of its 13 nominations. And there is a reason for those awards. This show is phenomenal. I've never seen anything like it. It's simultaneously super depressing and of a certain quality standard that you don't see too often, although to be fair, it is only four episodes. I won't tell you what it's about because it already says on the IMDb page, all I'll say is the story revolves around depression, emotions, and family. If you are debating watching it, do it. HBO Now gives users a 30 day free trial, and honestly, this is an example of how excellent HBO shows can be. Even if there wasn't a free trial, it's worth paying for a subscription to watch this.

A boring selfish witch's story with full capacity of depression is the brief description of this mini TV series. Not one the witch is a sadist but also she is a masochist. She bothers everyone, no exception.

This is a nuanced portrayal of one family's experiences with depression and small town life over 25 years. The negative reviews missed the point. It's beautiful and so well-done. In the beginning I found myself laughing out loud and by the end I couldn't stop crying. I don't even know why I was crying except that it made me feel that much.

Set on the coast of Maine, filmed partly in Maine and also in Massachusetts. We watched it at home on a 2-disc DVD set from our public library.

Many characters come and go during the four episodes but the focus never leaves the long-married couple, Frances McDormand and Richard Jenkins as Olive and Henry Kitteridge. She is a math teacher and he owns the local pharmacy. The story spans about 25 years, into their retirements, although they were married over 40 years.

Olive and Henry are for the most part opposites. He is smiling, caring, encouraging most of the time, she rarely smiles, she has a very abrupt manner, she has a very strict view of how things should be, and is always quick to correct others and inject her guidance even if it isn't wanted. It seems no one really likes her, not even her son, except her husband Henry is and always has been in love with her. That's how life works, it isn't always easy to explain.

The program is titled "Olive Kitteridge" for a reason, it is mainly an examination of her life, all the other characters are there as they illuminate her interactions with them and her influences, some good and some bad.

I have seen McDormand in quite a number of roles over the years and she is always great, as she is here. The biggest compliment I can pay is that I quickly forgot that she was an actress playing a role, to me she really was Olive Kitteridge.

A very good miniseries for anyone who likes good character studies. The last scenes where she interacts with Bill Murray's character are some of the best in the whole four hours.

After watching all four (4) episodes I can say without a doubt that Frances McDormand is in a class of her own. Mrs. Shullivan and I have seen Frances McDormand in various roles and she invariably stands out from her co-stars as you believe she is exactly the type of character she is playing.

In this mini-series made for TV by HBO, I was yelling at Richard Jenkins to leave this witch of a woman, which is what some of the children were calling her, a witch. Olive is a high school teacher by trade. Richard Jenkins who plays Henry Kitteridge a Pharmacists who owns his own pharmacy is brimming with kindness and empathy, whereas his miserable wife Olive, has no filter and says whatever she feels like to whomever she wants to insult.

We learn from watching this mini series that Olive's father blew his own head off, and although Olive does not want to broach the subject of her fathers own suicide it weighs heavily on her mind. Olive and Henry have one son named Christopher, who does not get away with anything at the stern hand of his mother Olive. You can sense the tension around the Kitteridge's evening dinner meals.

Olive only shows a remote sense of human feeling of empathy when in the presence of a neighborhood boy she teaches named Kevin Coulson (Cory Michael Smith) whose own mother suffers from a mental illness. On a few occasions you can sense that Olive's own son envies the care and attention his own mother provides to this neighborhood disturbed boy named Kevin, than she does towards her own son Christopher.

There is a great cast on screen including the always impressive Bill Murray whose short appearances on screen are always captivating. It does not take a Psychiatrist to recognize that Olive suffers from depression to which she takes out much of her frustration on both her husband Henry, and her son Christopher, simply because their family dynamics does not include a lot of visitors to their home.

This is not a warm, touchy, feely romance/comedy type of TV mini-series. Quite the contrary this series tackles suicide and depression with meticulous care and caution through the eyes and mouth of Olive Kitteridge and Frances McDormand's demons were all front row and present for her audience to witness.

This series won 29 awards not for its entertainment value but more for the significant and delicate way the mini-series discussed and handled depression and suicide within a family unit as well as the surrounding small town community in Maine.

I give it a decent 7 out of 10 IMDB rating.

A weird, dark tale of how one miserable, self-righteous nasty woman is bent on ruining everyone else's happiness. She never has a kind word for her husband, who has a heart of gold. She manages to wreck her son's childhood, and is even mean to her grandchildren. The woman mocks others and doesn't have one ounce of compassion.

She has one relationship with a fellow teacher who's a drunk, but it's unclear if it goes beyond mutual cynicism, and you wonder how that is even sustainable. It's comforting to assume that's all there is to it.

She is, however, drawn to the misery and dysfunction of a neighbor addicted to drugs, and later, the woman's grown son who is suicidal, but it seems like she's running an experiment to see if there's anything worth living for.

After a while you kind of feel that everyone's life would be better if she spontaeously combusted.

Given all that, the acting is superb and the screenplay holds up. The only redeeming element in the entirety of Olive Kitteredge's life is that she ends up old, bitter and alone - until Bill Murray's idiotic character enters and they appear to embark on the last step of a journey through the shattered lives that they both created.

I don't even know where to start. This show addresses the darkness, pain and complication of this scary horrible discomforting journey that we call 'life'. The story is about a bitter and sad woman (Olive Kitteridge), How she affects everyone around her and how life treats her. It also opens the eyes to the dark un-addressed reality of mental health issues, suicide, their roots and the difficulty that they cause upon families. The casting, acting, directing, story, tempo is impeccable. I honestly have never seen anything like it. As someone who has dealt with severe mental health issues, had heard: "just get over it" from everyone around, and struggled through the pain that it causes to myself and family members, I COULD NOT APPRECIATE THIS SHOW ANY MORE.