THEa Netflix series in 8 episodes The Boroughs (The Neighborhoods) is a mystery story with touches of the supernatural in which i good are old people and bad are monsters. Since it is produced by the Duffer brothersit’s really kind of a senior version of their kids-versus-the-Upside Down series, that is Stranger Things. The story plays wonderfully with fears of those who, having passed half their life, have to deal with it with the pain of memories and the inevitable decline. In the cast there’s a really amazing group of actors, including Alfred Molina, Bill Pullman and Geena Davisactors who prove that age is just a number.
The BoroughsNetflix series plot in 8 episodes
Sam Cooper (Alfred Molina)is a former aeronautical engineer from Chicago who you are about to move in New Mexico in a senior center. His wife Lily (Jane Kaczmarek) died 5 months before of a heart attack, literally in his arms, while they were dancing Thunder Rd by Bruce Springsteen. Accompanied by his daughter Claire, his son-in-law Neil and his two grandchildren, he crosses the threshold
Alfred Molina in “The Boroughs”. (Netflix)[/caption]
The secret of The Boroughs
One evening, returning to his new home, Sam finds a man armed with a knife, very agitated and in a confused state. He is looking for Grace, the old tenant who died a few weeks earlier. He shouts incoherent phrases that talk about an owl in the wall. Then she attacks him because she thinks he is “one of them”. The security men intervene in time and take the stranger away. His name is Edward (Ed Begley Jr) and escaped from the Menor. A large medical clinic where residents suffering from senile dementia and other neurological problems are cared for.
Sam is determined to return to Chicago but the owner Blaine Shaw (Seth Numrich) welcomes him kindly. Taking advantage of his recent bereavement, convinces him to stay to overcome pain and loneliness together with others. Thus, the gruff engineer begins his new life welcoming Jack’s invitations for a barbecue and spending time with the residents of the retirement home.
One evening, Sam visits Jack. Entered his house, hears a strange noise. He finds his friend’s body and a monster in the bedroom with the enormous head and multiple, long arms. Convinced that no one believes him, decides not to tell what you saw and to find the solution to the mystery on his own.
This is why he visits Edward: he is convinced that, despite his illness, his slurred owl-in-the-wall speech has relevance to the horrible creature. The man tells him that he caught something and put it safe. He doesn’t have time to be told more why the nurses intervene and take the poor patient away. Renèe also investigates another mystery. For a long time, someone steals objects made of rose quartz like the hard stones of its course or the pieces of a chessboard.
Geena Davis in “The Boroughs”. (Netflix)
The review of the Netflix series
The screenplay by The Boroughs it is decidedly complex but perfectly orchestrated in which they are inserted with great fun for all the many clichés of the horror genre. From the monster in style Alien to Spielberg-style visions and atmospheres Of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the inspirations so dear to the Duffer brothers are never lacking. Everything is accompanied by a tender and melancholy philosophy which belongs to the life phase of its protagonists.
The speeches that the characters have around the fire are hilarious and touching. From the daily list of new ailments to health problems up to the desires that you would still like to realize. Although Sam is the point of reference and glue of the community, tEveryone tries to move forward no matter what. Even in the face of death, like Wally. Treatments don’t work his tumor doesn’t regress and what does he do? He decides to go shopping in the funeral home, to try the coffin in which he wants to lie. But only if it has a memory foam mattress.
Their belief is to take care of each other because the alternative scares and makes you sad. Together, you can defeat imaginary and real monsters. This elegant sci-fi with bits of humor plays with gusto between the mystery and the inevitable reality of earthly life. Letting someone from another world feed on their lost years.
From left to right: Denis O’Hare, Alfre Woodard, Alfred Molina and Clarke Peters. (Netflix)
The Boroughsthe cast
It goes without saying how much the excellent success of the series is thanks to a cast of acting veterans. A close-knit group that, in various capacities, has experimented with many roles in science fiction and thriller films. Alfred Molina shines with his sad and intelligent melancholy. The British actor is pleasantly remembered in the saga of Spidermanin the cult Raiders of the Lost Ark and in the greedy Chocolat.
Bill Pullmanprotagonist of cult films such as Spaceballs and the series The Sinner, embodies the friend everyone would like but with a very hidden side. THEFinally there’s Geena Davisthe sensual and naive Thelma of Thelma&Louise. An actress of great stage presence, equipped with the right irony to demonstrate that age, when you have character, is only optional.
