The first two episodes of Hulu’s ripped-from-the-headlines limited series Good American Family debuted on the streamer March 19 — and critics are divided.
The “mad and messy saga” (Nick Schager, The Daily Beast) is based on the story of Natalia Grace (played by newcomer Imogen Faith Reid), a Ukrainian-born orphan with a rare form of dwarfism who is adopted by a Midwestern family — only to be abandoned a year later when they start to suspect she may not be who she says she is. Golden Globe nominee Ellen Pompeo (Grey’s Anatomy) executive produces and stars as Kristine Barnett, Natalia’s adoptive mother, and Emmy winner Mark Duplass (The Morning Show) plays Michael Barnett, Kristine’s optimistic husband. The project also features Christina Hendricks, Sarayu Blue, and Dulé Hill.
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Told from multiple perspectives, Good American Family currently has a 40 percent at Rotten Tomatoes and a “generally favorable” MetaCritic score of 63 (based on eight reviews). Critics are split over whether the show is worth seeing, though, with Saloni Gajjar (The A.V. Club) writing, “The show drags out its run, finding salvation only whenever Natalia Grace confronts her past directly. The trial’s outcomes are already there for all to see, and the lengthy run-up to them will likely prompt a quick Google search from viewers. And that’s honestly a better, healthier option than sticking with Good American Family.”
Cristina Escobar (RogerEbert.com) had a more positive take, noting, “People can be both cruel and kind, and that goes for almost everyone in Good American Family, making it a much more complicated show than its initial offering hints at. So watch to the end for a thoughtful mediation on guilt, justice, and redemption. It’s worth it.”
Katie Robbins serves as creator and executive producer and ran the show with executive producer Sarah Sutherland. Ellen Pompeo executive produces through her production banner Calamity Jane with Laura Holstein. Andrew Stearn, Dan Spilo, Niles Kirchner and Mike Epps also executive produce. Liz Garbus directed and executive produced the pilot. Good American Family will debut new episodes every Wednesday through April 30.
Here are some more reviews:
Akos Peterbencze, Looper: “The shortcomings of how it’s told and what tools the writers use are undeniably there to weaken the viewing experience. I wish that instead of employing a sensationalist approach that often opts for exploitative, misleading, and anger-inducing portrayals, there could’ve been a more straightforward and unembellished way to tell Natalia’s maddening yet ultimately affecting life story.”
Kristen Baldwin, Entertainment Weekly: “Creator Katie Robbins (Sunny) synthesizes the myriad perspectives into a solid and engaging dramatization of this headline-grabbing saga.”
Megan Vick, Collider: “Good American Family does redeem itself in the back half, but it’s a stretch to say it ever justifies its existence. Ultimately, this series ends up just being another true-crime title you can watch in the background — and it certainly doesn’t break any of the molds it set out to smash.”
Alison Herman, Variety: “When the external reality of Natalia’s life inevitably intrudes, Good American Family buckles under the weight. Even as the whole disappoints, however, Good American Family stands out in parts. There’s just enough harrowing sorrow, eye-popping oddity and acting — whether good or hammy, there’s undeniably a lot of it — to make for a transfixing watch. As with all true crime, with or without the gloss of prestige, you may not be locked in for the right reasons, but you also can’t quite look away.”
Kelly Lawler, USA Today: This hamfisted and half-hearted approach to a ripped-from-the-headlines series has nothing new to say.
Are you excited for Good American Family, which premiered March 19 on Hulu? Watch the trailer above, and sound off with other TV fans in our forums. If you think Good American Family will be a major Emmy player, then be sure to make your predictions right now.
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