As a seasoned reader who has delved into countless books and documentaries exploring human sexuality, I found myself initially skeptical about “Three Women.” The premise seemed too broad, reminiscent of those ambitious but ultimately unsatisfying works that promise profound insights into the human psyche without delivering. However, after watching the Starz adaptation, I must admit that it has managed to surpass my expectations in many ways.
As a movie buff, I must admit that when I first heard about “Three Women,” the 2019 bestseller by author Lisa Taddeo, it seemed like an overarching endeavor, more about the author’s intentions rather than specific findings or genuine intrigue in the subject matter. For me, this book, much like a journalist aiming to write a magnum opus on “sex in America,” appeared to be a broad stroke rather than a nuanced exploration of the complexities involved.
Although the TV series “Three Women,” produced by Taddeo and broadcast on Starz following a challenging five-year journey to the screen, initially commences with Gia’s lofty declaration of purpose, the show eventually surpasses its rocky beginning, although it doesn’t fully transcend it. The shift to a visual medium proves beneficial for both the detailed insights from Taddeo’s own research and the multiple viewpoints required in a collaborative work. Instead of reading about the women portrayed in “Three Women” through a single author’s writing, we now encounter them via the actors who portray them, the directors who shape their relationships visually, and other contributors. What could be more fitting for delving into such a tangible topic as sex than through visuals and sound?
The characters in Gia’s work, such as Lina (formerly known as Betty Gilpin), a housewife from Indiana who leaves her emotionally distant husband and rekindles a relationship with her high school sweetheart who is now married; Sloane (previously DeWanda Wise), an attractive and accomplished businesswoman on Martha’s Vineyard whose partner enjoys watching her be intimate with others; and Maggie (originally Gabrielle Creevy), a young woman from North Dakota who chooses to accuse her former teacher of an affair while she was still a minor, share similar names with those in Taddeo’s book. In “Three Women”, both Maggie and Aaron Knodel use their real names. Each episode focusing on Maggie begins with a disclaimer stating that Knodel was never found guilty, and the series presents Maggie’s perspective of events.
In the adaptation from Taddeo’s book, characters like Sloane undergo significant transformations. All characters in the original work were white, making it challenging to explore universal themes through individual stories. However, the TV show’s Sloane and her husband Richard (played by Blair Underwood) are portrayed as Black, adding complexity to her role as an aspirational figure whose emotional struggles contrast with her prosperous exterior. The series effectively addresses these changes, particularly in regards to Sloane’s family background. Furthermore, the show introduces new elements such as Sloane’s growing feelings towards both members of a local working-class couple, which serve to add dynamic plot points to what might otherwise be a static portrayal.
In the narratives of Lina, Sloane, and Maggie, what truly shines is the portrayal of intimacy. Since Joey Soloway’s “I Love Dick” in 2017, there hasn’t been a series as deeply rooted in female pleasure. Starz picked up “Three Women”, initially dropped by Showtime due to their financial struggles in February 2023, allowing viewers to experience extended sex scenes that span from initial attraction to hesitant engagement, complete abandonment, and back again. These scenes allow for the awkward moments and mistakes common in real-life encounters, rather than portraying idealized bodies. The directing team, composed entirely of women, demonstrates the storytelling power lost due to the frequent cuts in other productions.
A common thread is the incorporation of Gia’s voiceovers and later her actual appearance. Similar to the Netflix show “Inventing Anna,” “Three Women” transforms the initial reporter into an active character, contrasting Gia’s determination to complete her upcoming book with her interviewees’ quests to fulfill their sexual and emotional desires. Gia even visits the townhouse of renowned journalist Gay Talese (played by James Naughton), with whom she previously worked at Esquire magazine. She directly compares her work-in-progress with “Thy Neighbor’s Wife,” Talese’s long-term investigation into bedroom secrets. However, Gia’s narration seems overused and filled with cliches such as “We are all in this together.” This brought to mind the FX limited series “Fleishman Is in Trouble,” which kept much of the novel’s style even as other aspects like acting served similar functions.
In this production, Gia serves as a sort of additional protagonist, burdened by personal tragedy early in life (having lost both parents by her twenties) and complicated relationships. Taddeo collaborated on the fifth episode with her current spouse, Jackson Waite, and the series fictionalizes their relationship, starting as a spontaneous encounter that deepens as Gia becomes pregnant, and Jack (John Patrick Amedori) pursues her across the country. However, Gia’s character development appears less comprehensive compared to others, ending suddenly and leaving certain aspects unresolved. Instead of significantly altering its narrative flow to accommodate Gia’s research journey, “Three Women” predominantly maintains the book’s structure, with each main character narrating their recollections from the past. Consequently, Gia’s narrative is fragmented, leading to a somewhat disjointed storyline.
However, what Gia and previously Taddeo discovered during their transcontinental trip proves to be significant. Gilpin brilliantly brings Lina’s self-discovery journey to life on the show “G.L.O.W.”, highlighting that her journey is less about her unfaithful partner and more about rekindling a personal sense of joy. The story of Maggie is handled with great sensitivity, reflecting the depth of her feelings for Aaron (portrayed by Jason Ralph). Despite its complexity, the narrative takes Maggie’s longing for Aaron seriously and explores the power dynamics at play, while also adopting the perspective of an older Maggie who understands these dynamics. Sloane might seem to lead the most glamorous life on paper, but as her drama unfolds during the Vineyard’s offseason, even the most camera-ready individuals can lose their polish.
The novel ‘Three Women’ leaves a strong impression by delving deeply into their complex lives rather than broadening the focus or attempting to connect them in a larger context. It offers profound insights into women’s relationships with sex under patriarchy, as exemplified by Lina struggling with a vibrator while her children play nearby the laundry room, or Sloane stepping out of a heated family dispute only to make another poor choice. Each woman is distinctly individualized, with Gia serving as the initial character, but the trio are all self-contained worlds.
You can now watch the premiere of “Three Women” on the Starz app, as fresh episodes will be added every Friday. Enjoy!
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2024-09-13 16:18