Renowned for his legendary oceanic cinematography, used as a metaphor for emotional extremities, Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón is back in the spotlight with the recently released Apple TV+ series “Disclaimer”. Known for his work on films like “Children of Men,” “Gravity” and “Roma”, Cuarón has a signature rhythm embedded in his filmmaking, characterized by intense scenes depicting crashing waves. This style plays a key part in his latest series “Disclaimer”, which centers on conflicted accounts of a young man’s fatal drowning on an Italian beach.
However, the show also explores new territories for the filmmaker, attempting a dialogue-heavy, interpersonal drama about grief, self-deception, and storytelling - a genre quite different from the epic spectacles Cuarón is known for. Adapted from Renée Knight’s 2015 novel of the same name, the series struggles with maintaining consistent pacing and structure across its episodes, typical issues for book-to-TV projects.
Starring Cate Blanchett as Catherine Ravenscroft, an acclaimed documentarian, and Kevin Kline as Stephen Brigstocke, the series unfolds as Catherine is confronted by a haunting incident from her past. The narrative flips between Stephen’s quest for revenge and Catherine’s present, with frequent flashbacks filling in the pieces.
Unfortunately, the series fumbles its attempts at feminist commentary, failing to convincingly portray the character's perspectives and struggles. Despite boasting indelible images and a star-studded cast, “Disclaimer” falls short in effectively painting its desired narrative. Alfonso Cuarón's signature camera skills shine as expected, but the series itself fails to translate the charm of its source material, presenting characters and a plot that lacks believability.
The first two episodes of “Disclaimer” are currently streaming on Apple TV+, with new episodes set to release weekly on Fridays.
