Palm Royale is one of Apple TV+’s many high-budget, cast-filled, and typically fancy-dress period pieces. Set in the affluent sunny community of Palm Beach, this place is filled with lies even though it has bright visuals that make a person think no wrong can happen there. The character of Maxine Simmons, played by Kristen Wiig, can be best described as both silly and sublime – she walks her lines perfectly. This makes the story stumble even though it cannot prevent this star or better still the entire cast from charming you in anyway possible. There is a heady mix of comedy, drama, intrigue and when halfway through Palm Royale’s third episode it hits its stride it’s like a confectionary whose power rivals that of Maxine’s crème de cacao grasshopper.
Wiig was known for being funny throughout her time on Saturday Night Live and in this case she does not fail – try spotting when her scene partners nearly break into laughter; it’s fun! Funny girls are often tragic too – see Skeleton Twins for more evidence. Her energy sets so much of the tone here that is either turned up or down according to creator Abe Sylvia’s vision for Nixon-era Florida aristocracy. Sylvia’s voiceover then has Wiig announcing through the main character that philanthropic efforts have allowed Evelyn Rogers (Allison Janney) to consider herself as Palm Beach’s queen bee while subsequent episodes clearly show that charity only helps people make local society pages. This self-righteous-do-gooder joke continues.
Maxine has just been in Palm Beach for two weeks at the beginning of Palm Royale but it doesn’t matter what she sounds like with a sweet southern twang because they know she isn’t from there originally. Ricky Martin plays Robert a bartender who joins faces with Maxine immediately after he meets her; their relationship arc is delightful and provides one comedy or dramatic beat for Martin to keep up with Wiig in. And ongoing trade-offs between them and Maxine’s manicurist pal, Mitzi (Kaia Gerber), ensure that some of Palm Royale escapes its rarefied air. This kind of high-class world is rendered beautifully by Emmy-nominated production designer Jon Carlos, but the show does not only revolve around theme parties and mansions that are chock-full of valuable art: One of the main settings is a bookstore named Our Bodies, Our Shelves where Linda (Laura Dern) who is Maxine’s total opposite holds feminist meetings.
If television has taught us anything, secrets are a valuable currency. There might be no better example than the people at Palm Royale country club who understand this very well; wannabe socialite Maxine learns quickly that she requires more than being positive and having her nice dress on if she wants into the membership book. In the beginning it becomes evident that Sylvia’s narrative (which was inspired by Juliet McDaniel’s 2018 novel Mr. and Mrs. American Pie) goes beneath what seems like a mystery to address a number of issues surrounding class inequality. For instance, there are several points when they meet put thus highlighting some of the key themes affecting women both then and now especially on how abortion should be accessed by women in their 60s-80s without any unnecessary restrictions imposed upon them by various governments’ legislations within each state or province throughout these countries themselves such as US (Florida). Sometimes this series tries too hard to have it all but it really works out different interests as well as how some people enjoy more benefits from certain systems than others do.
In the first ten episodes, Janney always does a great job in showing her lack of concern; it’s exciting when she swears because it doesn’t happen too often considering that she has acted on such hit series as The West Wing and Mom. Evelyn actor gets to do some real acting whenever cracks appear in her shell, even if this looks like an insane setup – like a Wiig comedy with zany Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar that is somewhat of a head-scratcher – and it never degenerates into farce. However, Maxine’s icy exterior clashes with the openly emotional stance of Maxine: this battle is greater than what it seems at first glance. This account must therefore take into consideration the fact that blackmailing is part of its course while Palm Royale women are able to find or keep authority through gossip.
Palm Royale is succeeding “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans” just right so we can stop worrying about a dearth of TV glitz and glamor. There isn’t one jewel-tone or citrus shade that costume designer Alix Friedberg hasn’t used, and each item of clothing screams opulence. While fashion shows how every person should be looked at in society, the scenes in Grayman’s boutique (Dominic Burgess) make them ripe for scheming and gossiping too. Carlos’ production design makes every single location look sumptuous while charity balls held throughout focus on humor as well as wow factor.
The series has Maxine’s prince charming idea of love cemented firmly within its fabric just like her wish to penetrate high society one day. Josh Lucas plays her pilot husband Douglas who becomes more important during Season 1. Lucas also happens to be one notable asset in Palm Royale, which he uses well by highlighting the intricacies between Maxine and Douglas marriage as well as his position within this elitist world. Elsewhere Carol Burnett and Bruce Dern really help to energize the scenes they are in bringing some emotional depth. Their characters take some interesting turns, but I can’t say too much without giving away any spoilers – suffice to say that they also bring weight and wit to the proceedings. Wiig gets to show off her comedic skills with legendary sketch comedian Burnett, and the pair of them do not fail to deliver – even when Burnett is lying down. Palm Royale never fails with its different combinations of couples pitted against each other and Maxine’s entry as a catalyst for mayhem throughout. It might be a long time coming but once there, all threads showing how hypocritical and miserable this beautiful locale is come together.
The Verdict
In pacing out its various twists, turns, and bombshells, Palm Royale remains an enduring mystery that suffers from poor pacing. The first half falls as short as Maxine does until she decides to join elite society; therefore, Palm Royale becomes reinvigorated with the kind of energy it needs in order to make it work again. This is another Apple TV+ series worth sticking with till the end. Kristen Wiig makes an appealing protagonist because she excels at both outrageous comedy and sincere drama too. Supporting cast members are no less impressive: icons such as Carol Burnett or Kaia Gerber who is just starting off her career now Costume design along with production delivers that aristocratic background full of wow factor that will stay on your mind forever!
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