Episode Guide
Episode 1: The review for Episode 1 was 3.5/5. The review for Episode 2 was 3/5. The review for Episode 3 was 3/5. The review for Episode 4 was 3.5/5. The review for Episode 5 was 3.5/5. The review for Episode 6 was 3/5
Netflix released Mythomaniac, a French drama series about a man who has a mental breakdown and starts to believe in myths. The show is slow at times but has some interesting twists in the last few episodes. The acting is often good and showcased well on Netflix.
The story follows Elvira as she struggles to get the attention and appreciation of her family. She’s fed up with being treated like a maid by her children and suspecting her husband of cheating. As she starts to see her life change for the better, the web of lies around her and her family slowly unravels and brings with it a litany of new challenges. At the end, there is an unexpected cliffhanger that leads to a surprising reveal about Elvira’s true identity.
Mythomaniac is a series that takes a while to get going but it’s the idea behind the different lies and secrets the family hold that makes the series worth sticking with. The show’s premise reminds me a little of Desperate Housewives, especially as we see the different strange neighbours who inhabit the suburban street. Elvira’s lies about her health are exaggerated while this is, of course, immoral, the series does an excellent job with her characterization, allowing you to feel quite empathetic towards her despite her fabricated subterfuge.
As we explore the Lambert family, it becomes clear that each member has their own secrets and agendas. While they may not mean to hurt each other, this is what inadvertently happens and these deceptions feel like important life lessons.
Elvira goes to great lengths with her scam and ultimately has to face the grave consequences of her actions at the end. There also are a couple of new plot points added towards the end of the show too, but despite this, I was left feeling a little disappointed with how things ended.
The acting from the main cast is the strongest point of the series, as each of them have quite a difficult role to perform. In particular, Jeremy Gillet gives a really touching depiction of a transsexual teen, struggling to adapt to his life in an already dysfunctional family. I was really moved by his performance and I am looking forward to seeing him in other productions going forward. ..
The series also boasts some nicely edited shots throughout. One in particular worth noting occurs in the last episode where we see Elvira walking home while we see the rest of the neighbourhood moving backwards; a clever montage early on when we cut to each character using part of the song “Stand by me” is another stand-out moment. ..
Mythomaniac is a French series that has been met with some controversy. While the plot points are handled questionably at times, the drama has enough high points to keep you watching. The original premise and interesting characters make it worth a watch for anyone who enjoys dramas surrounding dysfunctional families full of secrets. ..
