Did I cry at the end of this limited series? Yup. Under The Bridge is based on the true story of Reena Virk, an Indian teen murdered by her classmates after a desperate attempt to fit in. Where do I even begin? This is one of the first times I’ve watched something and distinctly detested 99.9% of the characters, I promise you. With the exception of Cam Bentland (played by Lily Gladstone). Regarding everyone else there was constant oscillation between exasperation and likability.
Reena Virk’s (played by Vritika Gupta) need to fit in at any cost was nauseating, to the point of telling the authorities her kindhearted father molested her. On top of that she’s in over her head pretending to be gang gang from the comfort of her Jehovah’s Witness household. Granted the restrictions were unbearable, her mother a zealot, you don’t start rumors about people having AIDS sans consequences. Especially girls like Josephine Bell (played by Chloe Guidry) who gloats about beating bitches up and snatching their chains. Then there’s wishy washy Dusty Pace (played by Aiyana Goodfellow) who threatened her niece, an entire child with violence. But the crème de la creme is Kelly Ellard (played by Izzy G), a privileged psychopath. Read the room Reena, these are not your friends.
White audacity permeated throughout, with Cam’s adopted family overlooking the murder due to the victim being a person of color, to completely trying to take over her case. Reporter Rebecca Godfrey (played Riley Keough) shows more sympathy for Warren Glowatski (played Javon Walton) than the victim, giving her an exploitative, innate racist vibe, made worst by the treatment of her deceased brother. Unfortunately such is the case with murders of indigenous and Indian women to this day, it’s really not okay.
Mostly disliking everyone made my own tears surprising to me. That’s how you know the acting, the plot, everything was top tier. I mean, a round of applause to everyone. The full circle Biggie moment really sent me weeping. If you haven’t watched do yourself a favor. Lily Gladstone is here to stay. Via: The New York Times & Hulu
