The Fame Game Episode 1 recap/review

basically livetweeting but on reddit

• I would've enjoyed it if Madhuri's song had a higher-pitched voice, as a callback to her own famous songs when she was at the top. the whole angle of 'this is the top starlet" would've worked better if they dipped into some nostalgia factor it would've fit better. as it stands it's kinda just like an actress dancing to Sunidi Chauhan
  • they should take notes from Deepika's entrance/presentation in OSO. Deepika was an unknown, but her character seemed like a big deal because she was modeled off of existing stars. Her looks, roles, and mannerisms come from Hema malini, so some of that build up was missing in Fame Game. I feel like I'm being told Anamika is amazing, not shown
• one of my FAVOURITE things is this interaction between Anamika and her hairstylist, I absolutely adore the little critique of the film industry
  • AND THEY GOT BALLSY to critique misogyny!!!
  • I'm not sure how I feel about how they go about it though. Like, when the stylist talks about actors being hired for looks, they're clearly talking about actresses irl. And the husband gives a speech about ageism and sexism, not Madhuri. Why wouldn't she say it herself?
    • Netflix's banner would probably protect them if they do harshly criticize, right?
• Also I love the little detail that Anamika's Maharashtrian, it adds a little flavour to the character.
• Literally nobody in bollywood has ever googled what depression is. I don't understand why her son's >!suicide!< attempt is shot like a Euphoria scene, and they never even say the words 'he has depression'
  • However, I do think it's very real to show the grandmother getting upset with him. often times parents don't understand mental illness and lash out, so it was nice seeing that reaction and Anamika's more nice one
• The friendship that Anamika has with her Bai is a little....90s, if that makes sense? Like, unrealistic in a way that I think is just for exposition. they need someone to have this conversation, so they use the maid even though maids probably wouldn't be that close in real life.
  • But, if they develop this relationship more and show that they're actually friends, it'll be good
• the cinematography and colour theory used here is really good. Anamika is supposed to be the house's warmth, so when she's gone everything is cool-toned. SHe's also almost always wearing warm clothes in contrast with her family
• the son's acting is so stilted, it's hard to accept. And it doesn't seem like an intentional choice to show that he's depressed and despondent, he just seems bored.
• I feel like language is used very weirdly here. like, sometimes they speak in english to show that they're high-class bollywood types, but sometimes it's all hindi. I wish it was consistent
• This scene with the old filmy jodi is the one that captured my attention, great job by everyone here
• Anamika seems too nice and perfect, I'm excited to see how she develops in the rest of the series
• Shobha's entrance is really badass, whomever she is she's doing a great job
• this crying makeup scene is the stupidest thing i've ever seen lmaooo like what's with the slowmo makeup???
• Why is Shoba doing the interview with headphones in?? Girl are you good lmao is spotify in the background?
• Okay we can make fun of it all we want but the daughter saying "it's just really hard....being me" with a sigh is the MOST ACCURATE teenage behaviour i've ever seen out of a bollywood production
  • the scene with the son being woken up by Anamika is also really good, way better than before
• BRO WHAT WHY IS THE HUSBAND SUDDENLY ABUSIVE?? it seems like a VERY sudden shift?
• I actually like the ending, it's very interesting