The Perfect Couple Turns An Ideal Nantucket Summer Wedding Into A Gripping Mystery
Amelia Sacks (Eve Hewson) is marrying into one of the wealthiest families in Nantucket. Though her soon-to-be mother-in-law and famous author Greer Garrison Winbury (Nicole Kidman) disapproves, she has spared no expense in planning what is to be the biggest wedding of the season. That is until a body turns up on the beach where the nuptials are set to take place. As secrets unfold and a real investigation takes shape, it’s hard to shake the feeling that this seems to be a story pulled from one of Greer’s novels where everyone is a suspect.
This series is an adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand’s best-selling novel, with her writing specialty being stories set in the charming but wealthy area of Nantucket. Each family member is investigated as part of the crime, as they attempt to determine if a local or outsider is to blame.
Nantucket has been a long-time staple for New Englanders, but, in recent years, it has become the hit vacation spot for wealthy individuals on the east coast. Its small town charm and big time budget makes the island feel equally cozy and contentious. Everyone knows everyone and secrets are plentiful. The real charm of this show is the juxtaposition between the wealthy transplants and working class locals that seem to be constantly butting heads. It’s hard to imagine such a violent crime in such a quaint place.
This series is what it is because of its captivating ensemble cast, but Nicole Kidman does stand out amongst the group. Her character Greer seems to be the person holding all of the cards and power, even when it seems like she’s down on her luck. As a headstrong author and business woman, she views these events as small hurdles to overcome, instead of life altering tragedies.
Dakota Fanning plays Amelia’s future sister-in-law, a newcomer to the family who is expecting their first baby. She seems to play into the wealthy family act without fully buying into it. She appears to offer Amelia a helping hand in navigating this new world, but it’s hard to tell if her intentions are pure. Fanning toes the line between genuine and deceiving impeccably well.
Though her screen time isn’t long compared to many of the other characters, Meghann Fahy is just as compelling in this show as she was in The White Lotus. At first she appears to be the happy go lucky influencer best friend and maid of honor, but slowly starts to unravel as her secrets come to light at the most inconvenient time.
Though the series is a short six episodes, it does fulfill the story’s timeline needs. Each episode examines one or two characters more deeply, which adds to the mystery behind the murder. The show isn’t too contrived or overcomplicated, making it the perfect mystery drama to end the summer season.
The Perfect Couple premieres on Netflix on September 5.
