Rather poor "Underbelly: Vanishing Act" attempts to delve into the world of true crime drama, exploring a story of fraud and a Ponzi scheme. As a true crime enthusiast, I usually appreciate well-made productions with compelling storytelling, skilled direction, and talented actors. However, "The Vanishing" disappoints on many levels due to the poor acting and direction.
In contrast to the high standards set by streaming giants like Netflix, this TV production falls short in delivering a compelling narrative. The show squanders the potential of a genuinely gripping story by telling it in a disjointed and ineffective manner. The lack of coherence throughout the series makes it hard to be gripped by the plot and connect with the characters.
One of the main issues lies with the portrayal of the protagonist, the fraudster. Despite the best efforts of the main actress, her portrayal lacks the necessary depth and believability to fully embody the role. Her poor acting definitely failed to resonate with me. But to be honest she wasn't the only person in this show who needs to go back to drama school.
To add to the disappointment, the incorporation of such awful music throughout the series was simply annoying.
Finally a glaring misstep of "The Vanishing" is its excessive length. The series dragged on for too long and as a result the narrative loses momentum, and boredom set in after about 90 minutes. A tighter and more concise presentation could possibly have made this drama more believable.
All in all, "Underbelly: Vanishing Act" receives an underwhelming rating of 4/10 from me. Despite its promising premise, the show fails to capitalize on its potential. It lacks the finesse, depth, and compelling execution that a true crime drama demands. As a big fan of the genre, I find myself longing for more authentic and captivating productions that do justice to the enthralling world of true crime and fraudsters.