YA book adaptations have been thriving on streaming platforms over the past few years, and Netflix is far from the last to launch its own projects. This new 6-episode adaptation has it all: a difficult coming of age, a grieving sister, and mysterious games brought to her by a seductive, silent stranger with secrets of his own. But does this Spanish take, based on Alice Kellen’s book, hit home?
The concept of deceased relatives leaving extensive notes or instructions for main characters about life after death is nothing new to Netflix projects: this is Italy’s starting point. my familyAn ailing father is trying to bring his family together; and 2025 life listWhere a mother leaves a bucket list of things for her daughter to do in order to access her inheritance. Here, the starting point is a little more unconventional: Lucy (Georgina Amorosseen in Aristocrat class) Leukemia occurs at a very young age; His parents, in order to find a compatible cell donor, decide to give him a sister. Our heroine and the show’s voiceover, Greta (Alicia Falco), is born a year later, give or take. His arrival saves Lucy’s life, but she has to spend the rest of her life with many health complications due to her severely weakened immune system. The situation leaves Greta alone in a way, and once her sister – who had become her best friend – eventually passes away, she is left unable to move on, left with a stagnant life and distant boyfriends barely keeping it together. Then, months after Lucy’s death, a stranger presents himself to Greta while she is mourning her sister at her favorite fast-food restaurant. His name is Will, and he has a deep connection to Lucy, although he will not reveal what it is exactly. In this case, Lucy has assigned a box to Will map of longing.
Simply put, it is an advent calendar-style game made up of challenges and tests that both of them must complete in order to honor her memory.
Two things remain unclear to the audience: Will’s past, which he will not tell Greta in detail about despite his strong commitment to helping Greta complete all of her sister’s challenges to the end; And the magnetic tension between Greta and the elusive stranger, which becomes very clear by the end of the first episode.
Pablo Alvarez (Will), Alicia Falco (Greta) and Georgina Amoros (Lucy). CR: Netflix.
map of longing doesn’t try to do much in terms of plot, and it quickly shows us the challenges of delving deeper into Greta’s psyche and insecurities, as well as developing her blossoming relationship with Will, which quickly goes from awkward to sentimental. In other words, it’s (quite literally) a coming of age story, where a young woman is inspired to explore her passions and her direction in life rather than wallow in sadness. The series uses plenty of dialogue between Greta and Lucy to give us an insight into her various states of mind; As such, it’s a good demonstration of the believable chemistry between Falco and Amoros.
The fact that the series remains focused on its trio is a double-edged sword: it keeps things intimate and easy to follow for a wider audience (and the book’s target audience), but it also misses opportunities to delve deeper into Greta and Will’s respective lives and families. The former has to deal with an absentee father and tries to get her mother to group therapy sessions, with mixed results. Although the group’s colorful characters could have provided Greta and her mother with plenty of wisdom and perhaps light moments, map of longing Decides it’s not worth our time. While he is estranged from his family, Will’s past comes to light later in the season, but the infodump feels more like a rift in Will and Greta’s relationship than an attempt to address Will’s mistakes. The final part tries to make amends with that character but feels too disorienting; Even though Pablo Alvarez tries to liven up the proceedings, Will comes across as too dull, a two-dimensional mentor/love interest for his own good.
map of longing There’s a vehicle created for Greta within the story, and the same can be said for the show. Alicia FalcoLike Greta, moves the proceedings with charisma, well-reflected emotions and enough nuance to keep the audience on her side, even in moments of doubt or sometimes righteous-indignation at her entourage. Even though it’s hard to say whether this miniseries will find the same audience in a year — and summer — filled with YA offerings, the project makes a case for bigger and better things for its 23-year-old lead.
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Alicia Falco
Alicia Falco as Greta. (CR: Monica Lake/Netflix)
The Spanish actress has had a very busy few years in both films and TV, and was cast as the lead female role in Alex Pina’s Big Gamble. billionaire bunkerWhich was released last time and was immediately cancelled. As mentioned above, brought intelligence and raw sensitivity to the character of Greta Alicia Falco Sometimes pick up material that might be too bland or dull in lesser hands. Her performance, far from charming, ticks all the boxes for a good lead: she reflects the life of a typical Spanish twenty-something, while simultaneously finding the qualities that make her character unlikable, and she outshines all of her screen partners within a scene. This includes B-stories with her vacationing grandfather, who essentially raised Greta as much as her own parents did. The warmth and love expressed by Greta make these – to some extent – mini-sequences work. Although the competition has already been secured Alicia FalcoServices of—namely, for the series of films based on Prime Video demelo by trio mercedes ron– We’re betting we’ll see her back on Netflix soon.
A coming-of-age show with a big heart, but not many surprises. Still, for lovers of the genre, this should make for an entertaining, heartwarming summer watch.
map of longing Now streaming on Netflix globally.
