Getting at the truth

LIFE in the quaint and quiet seaside town of Monterey, California, unfurls through the eyes of three mothers – Madeline, Celeste, and Jane – in HBO’s latest original limited series Big Little Lies.
Based on Liane Moriarty’s New York Times No.1 bestseller of the same name, Big Little Lies is not your typical drama.
Debuting at the same time as the US on Feb 20 at 10am on HBO (Astro channel 411), the story begins with the three living seemingly idyllic lives in the little town with their successful husbands and their adorable children.
But beneath that calm facade lies a town divided into the haves and have-nots, and filled with stories fuelled by rumours.
Percolating within are whispers of conflicts, secrets, and betrayals between husbands and wives, parents and children, and friends and neighbours until, one day, it all culminates in a murder.
The seven-part series focuses on the camaraderie and lives of the three mothers some time before the murder.
Madeline Martha Mackenie (played by Reese Witherspoon) tries to be the perfect mother to her two daughters, a loving wife to her second husband, and a good friend to whomever that would lend her an ear.
But living in the same town with her ex-husband who left her for a younger woman is not easy. On top of that, her eldest daughter now wants to live with her father and new wife.
On her way to her younger daughter’s school orientation, Madeline meets Jane (Shailene Woodley) who is sending her son to the school for the same reason.
A newcomer to the town, Jane is a young self-employed single mother with a tragic past.
Her meeting with Madeline seems fated. The two then meet up with Celeste, Madeline’s best friend, who is there with her twin sons.
Celeste Wright (Nicole Kidman) is a former lawyer, who is the definition of beauty. Together with her dashing husband and lovely children, they make up the perfect family that is the envy of all at Monterey.
However, unknown to all, her husband has a short temper and a quick fist to match.
Interspersed throughout the stories of these three women are scenes from the future, after the murder has occurred, featuring characters giving interviews and press statements regarding the killing.
Part of the mystery of Big Little Lies is trying to find out the identities of the victim and culprit.
The series also stars Laura Dern, Zoe Kravitz, Alexander Skarsgard, Adam Scott, James Tupper, and Jeffrey Nordling.
According to Witherspoon, who is also the executive producer of the series, she wanted to turn the book into a series because she was struck by author Moriarty’s story and her gripping driving narrative.
It has elements of murder and mystery but at the same time a very realistic depiction of parenting dynamics.
It is also a complex exploration of the female experience balancing personal, family and community life in today’s world.
New episodes of Big Little Lies will air every Monday on HBO as well as Astro on the Go.