Dickinson
Of all of theApple TV+ original seriesavailable at launch , Dickinsonis the only one with episode that clock in at 30 minute or less . That ultimately act in the show ’s favour as the unforesightful runtime aligns well with its comedic dream , its passably twee sensibilities , and its very extra , only now and then exhausting , manipulation of anachronisms — especially talks and music — that plainly hammer habitation potent radical of feminism , art , and the idealism of youth .
It ’s difficult to discern whether or notDickinsonwould even work without the obvious incongruity of its dialogue , or its use of democratic medicine to underline the extent to which this is no simple menses piece or moss-grown costume drama . Both play an integral part in its innovation and any success it has . But at time it can seem as though these playful elements also work in opposition to the show ’s intentions , forcing it to rely too heavily on a sort of hyper - stylized approach that can be too precious for its own goodness .
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create and written by Alena Smith and directed by David Gordon Green , the series premiere drops the watcher into the world of a teen Emily Dickinson ( Hailee Steinfeld ) , one where the young poet must endure , and speak out against , such teen indignity as performing family task when she ’d rather be indite . More importantly , though , immature Emily finds herself rail against the feat of her female parent ( Jane Krakowski ) to marry her off , and her Fatherhood ( Toby Huss ) to prevent her from being a published writer and therefore sully the good Dickinson name . ( The irony , of course , being that Emily is the only Dickinson history recall . ) Moreover , Emily must deal with the quixotic love she feels for her best Quaker Sue ( Ella Hunt ) , who is due to splice Emily ’s older buddy , Austin ( Adrian Enscoe ) , after the untimely death of Sue ’s family .
By and orotund , the series is a successful mix of “ stomp the patriarchate , ” dysfunctional folk sense of humor , and a familiar woe - is - me kind of teen angst . Most of the clip it ’s funny and uplifting , thanks in no small part to Steinfeld , who amply embodies the role of a gifted , serious-minded , but also improbably privileged adolescent . But Smith and Green have also surrounded their trail with a terrific indorse cast that includes the aforementioned Krakowski and Huss , but also Anna Baryshnikov as Lavinia Dickinson , the forgotten Dickinson daughter who would like nothing more than to have her sis ’s wooer trouble . Though not an ensemble needs , Dickinsonhas enough depth in its dramatis personae to go as such , which take some of the weight off of Steinfeld ’s shoulder joint , allow her to fully comprehend the full spectrum of her character ’s many attributes and foibles .
The serial publication is so intent on disabuse viewers of its unaired costume drama appearances that it overcorrects at times , steering into its modernist sensibilities with an almost hyperactive cleverness that can be overwhelming in its affectedness . That is apparent in nearly every tantrum whether the characters ’ intentions are underscored by beat bass or when lines of Dickinson ’s poems are literally burned onto the cover . And it ’s particularly when she interacts with her true love , Death ( Wiz Khalifa ) , who ramble around town in a ghost - horse - drawn posture and wax philosophic with Emily about her many teenage troubles and more adult aspirations .
In all , Dickinsonis an interestingoutlier for Apple TV+ , as it clearly aims to court a teen demographic that might be left uninventive by the alt - history drama ofFor All Mankind , the bonkers sci - fi absurdity ofSee , or the # MeToo topicality ofThe Morning Show . And , given its modernist sensitiveness and coming into court by Khalifa and John Mulaney , in addition to the mien of futureDisney+ MCU starSteinfeld , Dickinsonstands a chance at being the nascent streamer ’s first new adult hit .
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Dickinsonpremieres Friday , November 1 , alone on Apple TV+ .
