All The Light We Cannot See | Review by: Gal Balaban

 Netflix's 4-episode miniseries brings its viewers into a war-torn France in 1945, where a blind girl and a German radio specialist fighting for the Nazis against his will cross paths unexpectedly.

The series finds ways to suck its viewer into the scenery with the effective use of a non-linear narrative and strong production design, though the digital cinematography provides more distraction than enhancement. From the show's opening moments, Aria Mia Loberti proves her strength as an incredible performer and delivers a character who's loving and fierce. Loberti brings Marie to life as not just a young girl who has a pure view of the world, but a larger-than-life person who serves as a light in others' lives. Hugh Laurie is absolutely excellent as Marie's great-uncle Etienne, giving the show some of its most heartfelt moments, as does Mark Ruffalo, whose charisma shines through as Marie's father.

Though the writing is occasionally too sappy (including cliffhangers?), it also finds a way to charm its audiences with its characters. It also has some interesting things to say about totalitarianism and its silencing of any opposing voices, as well as those brave enough to risk everything and rebel against evil, though it isn't the most powerful project you'll find about the horrors of Nazism and World War II. Not to mention a cartoonish Nazi antagonist who is a worse version of characters we've seen in popular media before, such as Hans Landa or pretty much every Indiana Jones villain. The final episode also becomes too dramatic -- almost like an action thriller, but still manages to create an emotional story about a young girl who makes a city rattled with fear and death just a little bit "brighter" with her hopeful and beautiful spirit.

Rating: 3.5/5

Review by: Gal Balaban