A long time since I originally saw it but I've never forgotten it. Fabulous character development and story twists and turns. Australian tv dramas just get better and better.
Intricate and rewarding. I'd watch it again for sure.
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Vindelander19 February 2019
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First, there are 2 versions of this mini-series, and I highly recommend this 2011 Australian version over the 2015 version. This one is somehow far better. (I've been watching quite a few shows coming out of Australia lately and they all seem to have a special something that rises them up above others--all the ones I've seen have a very unique take on things, be it subject matter or the views and lives of the characters they present. Quirky, interesting, and very original, I'll say for these Aussie productions.)
That being said, get ready for a truly intense mini-series. This show manages to bring out fierce emotions in even the meekest of people, really riling you up no matter which view or whose side you take--and you will take sides, believe me. And if you think you're all on board with one of the characters after watching the first episode, be sure to tune in for the next of the series as each successive episode will focus mainly on one of the other characters, allowing you to slowly get to know what life is like for each one, and as their deep dark secrets are slowly revealed. Not a sit back, relax and fall asleep thing by any means. -
sukhideol7 January 2012I have never read the book, so I watching not knowing what to expect. I thought the acting was great. I'd seen a few of the actors in films over the years (George, Okonedo and LaPaglia), but it was the ones I had never seen before that drew me in (namely, Essie Davis, Lowe and Blake Davis).
The thing I liked most about this drama is that it is never 'in your face', like the racism for example, people make a few racist 'views' rather then full on racist words, so it's all very under lining which often happens in real life. An abortion takes place, but the actual abortion is not the point and whether it is right or wrong, it just give you an insight into the character and what she is about.
As a brit my only taste of Australian TV has been fluffy shows like Neighbours/Home & Away so it was great to see some real drama coming from Australia. -
The Slap has to be one of the finest pieces of drama to ever come out of Australia. It boils down to the core of our essence. No one is perfect and The Slap shows every ugly wrinkle. Many people will see a reflection of themselves, and it isn't pretty. But it is handled so deftly that you become part of their world.
Each episode focuses on one of the characters who were at a 40th birthday BBQ where booze, drugs and anger ends with a grown man slapping a small child. From here the author delves into the most inner thoughts of each character present at the BBQ. Thoughts most people would never share with even their closest friends. They lie, they cover their tracks, they live with the consequences of guilt and shame. The old man reflecting on his younger life, now disappointed with his lot, and contemplating never again having the pleasure of touching a young woman's breast. I think that is pretty powerful stuff. Not pornographic, just hitting home the reality what is going on in some people's heads.
No it isn't fun to watch, simply engaging. If you watch television to be challenged, this show serves it up in spades. -
lana6331 October 2011After reading The Slap, and thoroughly enjoying it, I was quite skeptical when I heard a mini-series was being made about it. On seeing the first episode I realised that finally someone, somewhere had created an on- screen production that was really true to the original story.
Each episode is completely engaging, and though it might take a rather pessimistic view on life it isn't wrong either. I definitely recommend this to anyone, whether you've read the book or not. With so many talented actors, and such an engaging story line there isn't really a lot of room for error.
Definitely one of the best things to come out of Australian television since the original Underbelly series. 10/10 from me. -
Hoods773 December 2011I can't find anything to criticise about this series. The acting, production, continuity and so forth are excellent. It's amazing that of the 6 previous reviews 4 were 9 or 10 stars and 2 were 1 star, and scathing to say the least - and yet all the reviewers are Australian, so it's not a cultural divide issue. Perhaps it just boils down to taste. For mine, explorations of human frailty and the inexplicable nature of relationships, when done as well as The Slap, make for fascinating literature and film. There are no really good guys and, other than Harry, no particularly bad guys. These people are ordinary. Also of interest to me was the inside look into Greek-Australian culture. Persumably this was authentically representative, given that several of the actors are Greek Australians and any major inaccuracies would have been weeded out.
Oustanding in the acting department is Melissa George, whose success in the US is not surprising if this is the class and quality of her acting outside the soap opera arena. She was utterly convincing as the somewhat flaky, "alternative" mother of Hugo - the slappee. I was also impressed by the acting of the various children in the series - they were all very natural and normal. (Quite often poor child actors can spoil an otherwise good production.) It was also good to see old favourite Lex Marinos again.
I'd highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys well-produced thought-provoking drama. I'd be surprised if every the naysayers did not ask themselves or discuss with others questions about the rights and wrongs of not only the slap, but its repercussions. Perhaps I am overly biased towards Australian productions - I regularly find merit in things that get universal scorn - so take that into account. -
Chase_Witherspoon29 December 2011Evocative Aussie drama that follows the lives of several characters associated with an otherwise innocuous 40th birthday party (LaPaglia) when one of the guests (Dimitriadis) controversially slaps a four-year old who's misbehaving. The resulting court proceedings drive a wedge between friendships, family and reveal the character's vulnerabilities as they struggle with the ignominy of the event, its aftermath and their checkered pasts.
Controversial is probably the best way in which to describe this 8-part tele-series inspired by the novel, as it canvasses virtually the whole gamut of "edgy" subjects (depending on your moral barometer) in alleged rape, infidelity, substance abuse, domestic violence, alcoholism, breast-feeding, cultural ethnicity, interracial marriage etc, etc. through vignettes in which each character is brought into focus for an episode. So saturated with touchy subjects, it almost seems like its contriving a narrative in which they can be showcased. I won't go as far to say that it's done with the sole intent of being controversial, but it does at times, appear gratuitous. Not meaning to sound like a prude, but it is possible to shock without being so explicit, all the time.
Acting seems mostly realistic (LaPaglia, George in particular) and the momentum keeps you engaged in spite of the often cringe-worthy content. If you enjoy the gritty realism of Australian drama then this should appeal, although it may be more confronting than you expect. -
This series is dark and the characters not particularly likable, but they are never one dimensional. Every time you thought you thoroughly hated a character, they would reveal some other aspect of themselves that would make you like them a little. The multi-layering of the stories and the characters make this compelling viewing. There will be people you know that share some of their characteristics- maybe even yourself. It is not an exploration of happy families, but an exploration of our flaws. I haven't read any of Tsiolkas' books, but have been inspired to do so. I even loved watching the opening titles every week and am sad the series is over.
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Zukertort4723 November 2011The unfulfilled lives of a number of people are brought into focus at a seemingly happy suburban get-together by the single slap of a child.
All is not as it seems as each of the protagonists lives is then laid bare in subsequent episodes of this excoriating, first-class Australian drama.Perhaps the slap is merely a catalyst for the truth to unfold. Maybe the slap needed to happen for these people to get on with their lives without the baggage of the past. Make up your own mind.
It's easy to see something of yourself in these lives and maybe that is why a couple of reviewers here have played the 'unlikeable characters' card to dismiss this adaptation. Also, I believe the female characters are strong and their friendships quite solid in spite of certain cracks appearing under pressure. If this is misogynistic writing it has eluded me. The men fare less well.
If you prefer sugary Disney-like characters going through the motions in mind-numbing scenarios, then The Slap is not for you.9/10 -
Some time ago I wrote a critical piece about Australian TV dramas and received a fair amount of flak from my Aussie readers for so doing. Well rightly or wrongly, I stuck to my guns, but I am now delighted to report that the Aussies have totally redeemed themselves by making a programme which I can honestly say is one of the finest pieces of TV Drama I have seen.
'The Slap' is an 8 part Aussie mini-series based on the best-selling book of the same name, by Christos Tsiolkas. If you haven't seen it yet and you like your drama to be gritty, thought provoking, edgy and sometimes so realistic it is painful to watch, then go no further than 'The Slap'. It follows the lives of several characters who attend an otherwise innocuous 40th birthday party when one of the guests controversially slaps a four-year old who is misbehaving. The resulting court proceedings blows apart lifelong friendships and family relationships and the ensuing story covers virtually the whole gamut of present day social controversies; including rape, infidelity, substance abuse, domestic violence, alcoholism, breast-feeding, cultural ethnicity, interracial marriage and so on. I am sure my Aussie readers would be familiar with some, if not all, of the actors in this piece, but they were all new to me, and I have to say that the entire ensemble cast – including the kids – acted their socks off, without exception.
I will be picky and offer one criticism. I hated the intermittent comments made by a hidden, unknown, ghostly, (ghastly?) narrator. The lines narrated were undoubtedly taken from the novel, where 'omniscient narration' can be an acceptable literary device; but in a piece of TV visual drama, it is simply a lazy, old-fashioned cop-out. Everything told to us by this 'mystery' narrator, could just have easily been acted out by the players.
But I am being picky – good on yer Oz – I take my hat off to you, for a brilliant piece of relevant, 21st-century drama. -
jakebrann27 July 2019God who wouldn't wanna smack that awful kid and his damn parents?! Also, what 40 year old guy would be so stupid in flirting like that with a 20 year old woman at his own birthday party in front of all his friends and family? Guy smacks an annoying kid with stupid parents that just let him act awful and then for the next 30 minutes everyone tears up and talks about "that poor little kid"... "what if he's traumatized"?? Blah blah. This show was trying too hard. Narrator was pointless! Kid is 4 and his mom starts breastfeeding him in front of about 5 other 10 year old boys. Really? I only made it through one episode and didn't care what happened next. Skip it...
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The_late_Buddy_Ryan16 February 2015Exceptional Aussie series with a powerhouse cast; has a lot to say about the moral choices we make—tribal loyalties versus lifelong friendships, the dangerous power of a vindictive lie, even "the responsibilities of being Greek." The first episode hooks you in with a nasty incident that has far-reaching consequences—a court case, a family feud, the threatened breakup of marriages and relationships. (Interesting that online reviewers seem to blame softheaded slacker Rosie for all this more than prosperous, hotheaded Harry.)
The sanest character, Aisha (lovely Sophie Okonedo), gives us something to hang on to. She's a mixed-race immigrant from Mauritius, doesn't have any Old Country customs or trendy childrearing theories she's trying to impose; her friend Rosie, mother of the appalling Hugo (he who gets slapped), seems like a bit of a caricature of an overprotective New Age mum, but Melissa George, who plays the same character in the US remake, is even better in the role of the brittle nutjob than she was in "In Treatment." Fabulous Essie Davis seemed like a stand-in for the author at first (except he turns out to be a gay man—go figure...), but she doesn't get quite enough to do in the later episodes.
The scenes involving Aisha's husband's Greek immigrant family don't hold too many surprises, but they're beautifully done; helpful hint: if you watch this on streaming Netflix, you won't see the subtitles for the Greek dialogue in episode 6 if you have the CC turned on.
John Oliver's already ridiculed the omnipresent promos for the NBC remake ("What the f–– is this, and do we really have to watch it?"). That's way harsh, dude! The US version is actually pretty good, though the Aussie original is significantly better. -
While the title (and premise) of the series do come off as comical, The Slap is daring to take Network TV viewers to a place where we question our choices and our way of thinking. One small decision can spiral into a massive event that drastically changes everyone's lives around us. We have no idea what personal issues another person may be dealing with, or how we may affect them.
What each episode of this compelling miniseries forces us to do is confront a different controversial issue in today's society, and decide what we believe is right. Some people may argue that these characters are cliché and melodramatic. But the truth is, we all know people exactly like them, and we are guaranteed to confront some of these issues within our own lives. When these events occur, there's no predicting how another person will behave. The Slap is a guidebook to show how we should react, when others don't know how. We need to set the example, to prevent the disasters which happen in this series.
Society still has a long way to go. But by watching this series, we may gain some insight into being better people and caring neighbors. -
lavendertraveler15 April 2019The Slap is a television series from Australia based on a book of the same name.
I had finished the entire series before I realized that the star, Jonathan LaPaglia, wasn't Anthony LaPaglia. I had noticed the discrepancy in the credits, but I thought it was the same actor, perhaps Anthony Jonathan LaPaglia, billed slightly differently in Australia.
Only after I googled him did I realize Jonathan LaPaglia is the younger virtually identical brother of the more well-known Anthony LaPaglia.
Much of the power of the series rests on LaPaglia's considerable sex appeal as Hector, his relationship with his creole wife, his affair with 17 year-old Connie, and a one sided school boy crush by Connie's best gay friend, 17 year-old Richie.
LaPaglia runs thru the entire series in nothing more than a pair of baggy shorts, an unbuttoned short sleeve shirt, and beach thongs.
"The Slap," occurs in the first episode. Hugo, an out of control toddler gets on every adult's nerves. His parents, Rosey and Gary pay not the slightest attention to their devilish spawn, letting him wreak havoc on everyone within his reach.
Perhaps Damien would have been a better name than Hugo, every parent's worst nightmare. He pulls out flowers planted in someone else's garden, pours potato chips over opened CD cases. Finally, one adult has enough, and slaps Hugo. The slapper was not Hugo's father. I would never even scold someone else's kid, no matter how badly he, or she was behaving. So I certainly wouldn't slap any child. And it was quite a strong slap, but still not rising in my opinion to the level of a criminal offense.
But the kid's slacker mother freaks out, screams child abuse at the top of her lungs, and attacks the slapper. Later criminal charges are filed. The court trial is gripping, the defense paints Hugo's mum as an unfit mother.
The Slap is really just the framework for the series, which is more about interpersonal relationships, about the difficulties of marriage, about sexual betrayal and redemption. The way life really is, not the way it's supposed to be.
You could also see The Slap as a battle of the sexes, because eventually virtually every man in the cast fails in his particular role as husband, son, cousin, father, even father-in-law.
Aside from that men and women pretty much evenly divide on the question about the slap itself, women believing the incident was earth shattering, the men generally wanting to sweep it under the rug and move on. Disagreement about the slap and related issues rips marriages apart, and causes families to pull up stakes and move out of state.
Part of the dialog is in Greek! Because Hector's parents are immigrants from Greece. Sometimes there's subtitles, and sometimes there isn't. But each episode is presented with a voice over narrated introduction to keep you on track.
The Slap's best features are the strong cast, and excellent script beautifully filmed on location. No Los Angeles streets pretending to be Aussie. I don't know if this program is typical of Australian television, but there is more sex per episode than in a whole season of American TV. Just about every man in the cast masturbates at some point. Of course Wally Cleaver also masturbated, but we never saw it! I'm told most men masturbate, but I have never been tempted myself. -
lioricsilver3 June 2020I feel for Harry here. Fine the guy should not have slapped the kid. But at the same time kids like this, untrained to behave properly should not be taken into public. And when Harry tries to apologise, he gets struck down. And the story gets turned all around by Rosie. I am so glad I don't have to deal with stuff like this.
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nilran31 March 2022It does carry some useful lessons for all of us and how on- related tensions come to the fore when looked through the murky lense of emotions. Ah , by the way did you hear ?Season 2 is coming - starring Will Smith and Chris Rock?🤣🤣
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morganrichards3 February 2020Text: The concept behind this show is really good and the basic plot lines should've worked well.
But a combination of a terrible script and just AWFUL acting made it unbearable to watch. Which is surprising considering the cast they had lined up!
It was just so badly executed. And WHAT is with that commentary? -
indigoblue10113 November 2011Don't waste your time. This show is utter tedium. It's unlikeable, uninspired, disjointed, and basically just dull - an appalling remake of an average book. The character development is rather plodding and the characters themselves, while mostly well acted, are just not worth wasting time on. Lots of people dislike the show because they find the characters unlikeable - that doesn't bother me so much, I usually like dark characterisations - but these are just really uninteresting characters. You don't care what happens to them, so long as it happens somewhere where you don't have to hear about it.
I suspect if given to a more competent production company it may have been possible to make this series at least mildly interesting. Please ABC, stop commissioning Matchbox Pictures to make this sort of rubbish - you should be asking them for a refund. While you're at it I'd like them to refund the 8 hours of my life I lost having to watch this tripe. -
rmorse122012 February 2015It was a disjointed blend of meaningless characters who never developed. The confusion was compounded by a narrator who added nothing. If this was intended as a commentary on modern society it not only missed the mark it missed the target. I am well aware that public breast feeding of 5 year old's and domestic violence are big deals but this show did nothing to enlighten or entertain. Thank God I have satellite and 200 channels to chose from. Maybe I can find a Gilligan's Island rerun instead. If anyone deserved a slap it was the kid with the ball bat. If this had happened at my party I would have knocked him out. The only appealing character was the old woman who didn't speak English. Maybe that was her saving grace.
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TVWatcherUK6 September 2021Really liked the premise and the storyline but my word was this slow, painfully so. I get that the scene needs to be set and an atmosphere created but do we really need to see a person's face in profile for ten long seconds with nothing actually happening? You could cut out about two thirds of this and not miss any of the storyline. Because I like the story and the writing I am persevering with it but even 4 episodes in I'm fighting the urge to switch off due to the long periods of nothingness that happens. If this had been a bit less drawn out it would have been a solid 8 from me but as it stands I can only give a 4.