Review: Apple Tv’s ‘imperfect Women’ Cast Feels Familiar

New from Apple TV, limited series ‘Imperfect Women’ struggles with imperfect casting that fails to challenge our familiarity the big names. Conceived as a thriller, it felt too familiar to capture my attention until the final episodes.

This is the story of Eleanor (Kerry Washington), Mary (Elisabeth Moss) and Nancy (Kate Mara), best friends since college, a story adapted from the novel by Araminta Haal. Eleanor grew up in an affluent Black family, Mary’s background is unclear but her family is clearly struggling financially, and Nancy is the stereotypical former ‘white trash’ character who married into a very wealthy family.

After a ‘girls night’, the besties part ways. Then we learn Nancy has been murdered. There’s references to an affair with an unpleasant man unhappy with her plans to break it off. A man from her childhood? A bartender? A member of her in-laws?

The series is structured with multiple episodes from each women’s viewpoint so lots of flashbacks, glimpses at the cracks in their friendships, and a little backstory. I still don’t understand how they became an unlikely trio of friends.

The biggest strike in this show is that the characters are too familiar both as tropes and in terms of the actors, specifically Moss and Washington. Eleanor is a watered down Olivia Pope. Mary is the tormented mother character who has to fight back ala June Osborne.

What would have been much more interesting is if they had played against type. Kerry Washington in the Mary role would be unexpected. Kate Mara as Eleanor, and Elisabeth Moss as Nancy. 

At some point, the narrative slides from a whodunit to ‘how they done it’ that feels just the right amount of predictable. After a fake out, Eleanor is sidelined as the story pivots to Elisabeth Moss’ powerhouse performance as a not-quite-broken mother who must persevere even when everyone but her teenage son turn against her or loses confidence in her.

Moss delivered what we expect from her. Kate Mara did a stand-up job as a woman succumbing to her deteriorating mental health, seemingly throwing away the perfect upper class life. Her layered performance of Nancy’s perpetual struggle to see value in herself and her friends’ loyalty is flawless.

There’s an implication that Nancy’s husband chose her over Eleanor, perhaps because of racist sensibilities. One senses Eleanor was a better match so why did he choose Nancy? Eleanor’s brother chastises her choice of white men, even though her current lover is himself a man of color, but this theme is dropped until one of the ending scenes.

Again, this was too close to the story of Olivia and Fitz on Scandal. It is a waste that the show sidesteps racial themes, focusing on class and gender.

The series focuses on the imperfections of adult relationships, especially female friendships. The rupture of the trio when Nancy dies throws her two friends into a deep grieving process as they try to solve her death and reconfigure their relationship as a duo. It is interesting to watch, but lacks any truly compelling element.

In truth, Eleanor was not essential to the story mostly because the show doesn’t really explore the racial dynamics in full. Her ending was awkward and abrupt. Mary’s ending was more mischievous, she seemingly winks at the camera.

I admit that now I’d like to see what happens to Mary next.

The biggest flaws are the predictable characters and casting overshadowing a promised ‘binge-worthy’ story. I also found the lack of examination of racial identity a misstep that hampers the storyline.

Still, there are enough moments and plot twists to make this a solid binge choice. You can find the entire series on Apple TV.