Catch-up guide | Best of the year on Crave

the top 3 by Hugo Dumas

Hugo dumas
Press

Succession

Probably the best series, all categories combined, of recent years. We follow a rich and hateful family that controls a media conglomerate modeled on that of Rupert Murdoch (Fox News). As the health of the patriarch declines, his three children multiply the hogs to succeed him at the head of an empire worth tens of billions of dollars. If you like thick dialogue, clever slurs, and satire-filled behind-the-scenes play, you’ll love Succession, it’s really bright, funny and awkward.

The White Lotus (VF: The white lotus)

We fell in love with this series, set in a luxury hotel in Hawaii, frequented by wealthy people. Everything sparkles in this complex, but the facades crumble very quickly. Stuck in a closed session for a week, the clients reveal their worst sides, while the staff end up being fed up with these privileged petty bourgeoisie. There is also a mystery to be unraveled at the end of the sixth episode. When the superficial is transformed into an existential crisis.

Hacks

There’s an experienced comedian (Jean Smart), in her late sixties, who’s been rolling her bumps in a Las Vegas hotel for three decades. There’s a jaded and sarcastic screenwriter (Hannah Einbinder) in her late twenties who is just starting out in the trade. These two women have nothing in common (apparently) when their agent forces them to work together. This surprising and nuanced comedy takes a piercing look at feminine humor, the price of success, the shock of generations and loneliness. A great surprise. Very funny, too.

the top 3 by Marc-André Lemieux

Marc-André Lemieux
Press

Mare of Easttown (VF: Easttown)

Solid. This is the word we would choose to describe not only this well-crafted thriller, far from clichés, but also to qualify the performance of Kate Winslet. In great shape, the actress gives a lot of relief to her character of a gruff detective who tries to elucidate the murder of a teenage girl in a small town in Pennsylvania. No wonder she was named Best Actress at the Emmy Awards. And now, the killer question: do we really want a second season? The first one was so perfect, the risk of being disappointed is increased …

Scenes from a Marriage (VF: Scenes of married life)

The five episodes of Scenes from a Marriage should be preceded by a warning: beware, faint hearts refrain. No, this remake American from a Swedish series by Ingmar Bergman from 1973 has no violent streak gore. But seeing Jessica Chastain (sublime) and Oscar Isaac (overwhelming) tear each other apart in words just as badly. So much so that we even caught ourselves taking a deep breath before starting the third hour. Anyone know why this HBO offering hasn’t created more waves this fall?

Succession

Logan, Roman, Shiv, Kendall, Conor … The Roys may be the most toxic, dysfunctional and (insert another derogatory qualifier) ​​on the small screen, but we still missed them. Postponed due to a certain COVID-19 pandemic, the third season of Succession fulfills its promises, a feat in itself, given the last episode HBO gave us in October 2019, at the end of which Kendall finally bought himself a spine to challenge his father. This time around, the power struggle over who will control the Waystar Empire turns into a real civil war. It’s cynical, squeaky, and filled with bad feelings. In short, it’s delectable.

the top 3 by Marc-André Lussier

Marc-André Lussier
Press

Night doctor

Deprived of theatrical release in Quebec due to the pandemic, this third feature film by Elie Wajeman (The anarchists) is no less excellent. Vincent Macaigne (The things we say, the things we do) finds one of his most beautiful roles by slipping into the skin of a doctor who accepts to heal the poques of life that no one wants to see. Between thriller and social portrait, this noir film also stars Pio Marmaï and Sara Giraudeau.

Underground

Sophie Dupuis’ second feature film (Watch dog) is one of the best films of 2021. Shot in a real mine a few hundred meters deep, Underground first stands out thanks to this portrait of an unprecedented world, but is also a great success on the cinematographic level. Joakim Robillard, Théodore Pellerin and James Hyndman do justice to the excellent screenplay written by the filmmaker, as well as the entire cast.

No Sudden Move (VF: Let no one move)

Steven Soderbergh’s filmography is now so rich – and diverse – that it becomes inevitable to think of his older films as well. Product for the specialized channel HBO, No Sudden Move evokes in particular Ocean’s Eleven, but also the excellent Out of sight. Starring a top-flight cast including Don Cheadle, Benicio Del Toro, David Harbor and Jon Hamm, this 1950s Detroit film sets itself apart for its style.