Transatlantic is a Netflix mini-series of seven episodes. Created by Daniel Hendler and Anna Wiger, with the latter having worked on other notable miniseries such as Unorthodox. Debuting in 2023, the show focuses on personal drama, while also incorporating a fresh new theme in the overabundant representation of the war ridden 1940s of the 20th Century.
Set in the uncertain and grim times of the Vichy regime in France, the story follows Varian Fry (Cory Michael Smith), journalist and intellectual, and Mary Jayne Gold (Gillian Jacobs), an American heiress with the usual charm of socialites, in their quest to safely emigrate artists from certain doom. The newly formed Nazi rule’s threat sent a dire message to all around the globe: be they gifted of mind or not, none may escape their eventual fate under the banners of the Third Reich. This intimidating and terrifying prospect led Varian to avert his plan from staying in Marseilles for a few weeks, rescuing a couple of imperilled artists, to successfully saving thousands and remaining under constant oppression for over a year. His clients included Max Ernst, Marcel Duchamp, Marc Chagall and Walter Benjamin. On a lethal race against time, his contributions are greatly supported by Miss Gold, who helped in funding and legitimizing this endeavour, while also sheltering refugees: subsidizing the ERC operation which helped save over 2000 people.
The show, while grounded in the social and ethical dilemma of troubling times, focuses on the personal drama of its main cast.
These characters include daytime hotel staff-nighttime freedom fighters, ragtag soldiers of a lost cause, reformed policemen serving the new order, and American businessmen looking to profit from the terror of the new regime.
All have their own perspectives and motives, with sometimes sketchy but developed dynamics, performed with passion by their actors. Historical drama or not, the main tension of possible capture or worse is incorporated into the story itself, with the viewer regularly left on the edge of their seats.
Be it lovers or brothers, enemies or mutually beneficial acquaintances, the dynamic of their interactions forms a special atmosphere in-between, which results in a familiar sense of uneasy, yet hopeful alignment.
Stoics, pessimists, social-Darwinists, expressionists and realists come together to fill in a nowadays all-round regular formula; best known by the everyday Period dramas.
Tight situations, “narrow passageways”, character developments, cathartic conclusions and dreadful implications, with just a little bit of hope to guide the interested viewer to dig a bit deeper and indulge themselves in this special escapade of the likeminded, yet sometimes nonchalant.
The pacing of the miniseries proved wonderful in encapsulating the enticing personal conflicts with the looming threat of untold danger, thus enhancing the emotional value of the overall acting. With its theme and powerful connotations, this story deserved characteristic transitions, impactful cuts and sometimes lengthy conversational blocks, in which Transatlantic most definitely delivered.
The otherwise beautiful scenery of the France orchards, or the bussing and slowly dehumanizing streets of Marseille all contribute to the visual storytelling so important to any series, especially in this peculiar atmosphere.
One of the biggest features of this show is certainly its engaging and colourful, creative cinematography, with scenes providing a coaxing, yet eclectic tone. This could seem like a gambit to some, often alienating the viewer by being inadequate to the tone and pacing of the show, yet here Sebastian Thaler and Wolfgang Thaler succeeded in implementing the complexity of themes in this show. Admittedly, to some, these remarks may prove overly construed, as the cinematography does conclude itself easily to reach a wider audience.
One of the few negatives to possibly mention of this carefully shot drama is its main premise of not transcending the bonds of the established and sometimes infamous Netflix production.
The scenes are easily interpretable; they only mimic and expand upon the characters’ inner dilemma, which to those looking for a brave, and or thrilling art film about the nature of political and social oppression and uncertainty might prove lacking.
At the same time, having achieved a more casual setting, which correlated with the emotional aspects and proved to be absolutely fun to watch, Transatlantic created something memorable. Not to mention how the set design only escalated the scenery, with a casual, professional and safe approach on the part of the camera operators.
Through careful editing, the cinematography does not want to break the status quo, but to create a remote and characteristic vision, which works perfectly.
The values and characteristics of Transatlantic are remarkable, as in its uniqueness it does not want to act too daringly, which totally resembles the soundtrack as well. This sometimes elevated, moody and tightly linked sound design ties the series’ aesthetic to the time and space in which the show operates. It is rich, passionate, quirky but always faithful to the emotional capabilities and prerequisites of scenes.
Whether it be about a chase or a rescue operation, or even the profoundly intimidating activity of having a classy dinner, the score never seems to leave behind the main tension and ruling theme of resistance through persistence.
The sheer will of human morality shakes the foundations of everyday reason and logic, easily mistaken for survival in dire times, which coalesces with the simplicity of peace, love and even sometimes the eclectic house parties for desperate artists. Art or otherwise, the score’s greatest achievement is based on just this:
It proves that care and creative liberty proves essential in escalating and embedding a core of the story, right about what the artists of the Air-Bell villa would preach to us.
All the above pro’s crescendo in the main score (the title song also), which
finds the fine line of harmony between beauty, strain, hope, grief and love.
A beautiful composition, with a straining motif all about the dualism of hope and grief, with just a tingle sensation of love. Love, which could be interpreted as the main drawing point of the drama, the story, the aesthetic and the score too, dares to show us what a shaded view many operate in, even if the world itself allows the mending of old wounds. Overall, the soundtrack is one of the most faithful and gratifying I have heard in a Netflix period drama, which certainly derives from its characteristic and authentic nature.
Authenticity: how poetic it is, one might argue, that even though Transatlantic tries so hard to capture the feeling of powerful themes, it can only do so in expanding the, figuratively speaking, “tentative box” it was put in.
For all its wonderful ideas and execution, it might come as a shock that it could not transcend the proportions of a Netflix series. Its characters can be seen as if they were stitched together by tropes, the score as too ambitious, or even too simple to make a difference, the cinematography as a beautifully composed shot in expanding mediocracy, and the story as a fun adventure, surely to be forgotten. But I beg to differ, as personally:
Even though a series is surely bound by the context of the medium and platform it is presented in, there is always a chance to create something truly remarkable in unity.
As even if a series’ of Transatlantic’s calibre proved to be vague in its elements, which is relative to the viewer I might add, all in all the different aspects of a show like this adds together to create a memorable experience. What else would a director want, if not for its work to grant something to remember by, and to me, a surprising ensemble of all the listed elements created a fun and thoroughly enjoyable experience, filled with cathartic and contemplative moments.
Mind and vision, concepts of those willing to stand firm in the wake of the final solution. A plan to solicit those looking to create memorable, to stray from their morality and perform the unspeakable. or be forced to remain from performing in a time of systematic oppression. Yet, it would seem, creativity truly transcends bonds through those still passionate about their values: in the past and present also.
Transatlantic is a miniseries, still clinging to the roots of its medium, but carefully presenting itself as something grander. With thought-out and enticing characters, albeit, related to, but trying to stray from cliché drama figures, and a not too daring, but tense, and rewarding story, the miniseries stays safe in its enclosed environment. Enhanced by a tense, authentic and passionately crafted soundtrack, with cinematography to support the vibe of the infamous times of the occupied Marseilles, filled to the brim with elements of realistic beauty and hope. Even though this is a not at all perfect period drama, and it does not offer an artistic view on which to drag about for days, nor does it grant an escape to those looking to find a piece unprecedented by today’s standards in series making - especially if they despise the Netflix formula – it dares to show a vision full of potential. Potential, which encapsulates how easily perseverance and love finds its way to create memorable experiences, for a large audience. I can only recommend this series to anyone looking to find refreshing content, either it be on the timespan of the series or not, as Transatlantic dares to figuratively guide the viewer, which might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if done properly, it certainly is mine.
Photo: The Hollywood Reporter, 2023
