When Hulu released clone-y handmaids marching in unison amongst the crowd at the South by Southwest festival this year, outlets labeled the effort as “creepy, terrifying, and unsettling.” So, what I mean here is, I found my next Halloween costume. Also that this was an impressive, unforgettable, therefore successful marketing effort. I’ve been avoiding writing about this one, cuz no show has made me cry as often as The Handmaid’s Tale. It’s rough. It’s a hard pill to swallow. (Warning: DO NOT BINGE.) I once heard a podcast that discussed evolutionary genetics - as in only the strong and smart survived eons ago, creating the genetic pool of who lives today. (THANK YOU, ANCESTORS.) The Handmaid’s Tale makes me think about this theory quite often. Because the only handmaids that will outlive their torturous realities and pass on their genetic superiority are the smart, sharp, quiet, determined, cunning survivors.
The horror of watching women get fired from the workplace, pried from their families, brainwashed into servitude, raped under religious order, children ripped from their hands, silenced, forcibly channeling aggression through sanctioned beatings, withheld from books, internet, media, and even boardgames, all in the name of God, well, guys, it sucks. It’s painful. I’ve decided to call it ‘pain-watching’. The Handmaid’s Tale is a near-future dystopian hell based off of Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel. Infertility has scarred current day and the righteous see it as a plague. A new uprising overthrows modern U.S. government and implements their own regime in an attempt at correcting humanity’s actions. There are ‘eyes’ always watching, rebellions rising, hypocritical leaders, and desperate, infertile wives. Only the submissive survive as they’re broken into color coded categories, the handmaid’s donned in a stark red while their purpose is to procreate for the barren leaders. There has been a lot of chatter about the timeliness of this show, and if you don’t see what everyone is talking about, you might be part of the problem. (See also: general women’s rights, reproductive rights, et al.)
The story is non linear, showing peeks of life before the uprising, what normality used to be. This technique is always welcome as it defines precise manipulation of the story we watch and emotions we feel. The story is disheartening, sickening, passionate, sensual, and unique. (Also, have I mentioned? REALLY HARD TO WATCH.) The mise-en-scene captures these feelings perfectly. This neomodern society reverts its dress, attitude, and speak to a more primitive time, muttering confusing and seemingly arbitrary greetings in Shakespearean prose, along the lines of “The sun and dust, greetings to your hemline”, etc. Huh?? It’s a world where everyone’s bread is homemade and women are objects and owned, strapped into simple, painfully practical dresses. The Handmaid’s red attire and giant white bonnets glide cautiously down the plain streets punctuated by black clothed military men with automatic weapons comfortably glued to their hands, poised to uphold their beliefs through firearms within milliseconds. (Whoever does the color design in post production needs a raise.) The bonnets serve good imagery in their scale and brightness. They act as shields from the handmaid’s faces and conniving minds.
There are quite a few bird’s eye views in the permanently overcast atmosphere, the deeply cinematic shots reminding us of the ever present eye-in-the-sky. (I’m sort of obsessed with surveillance-esque cinematography, so this pleases me.) The periodic use of modern music is jarring against the vintage looking scenery. I am DYING for a shot of the handmaid’s in slow-mo pacing to Level’s iconic ’I Bet You Wont’ with mischievous looks on their faces. THAT would be a scene, and the show could use some light heartedness!
The score sets ALL the tones with its sweeping, dooming, aching chords. The piano sounds Chopin-chaotic yet meticulously plucked out. It certainly emphasizes how crazy these characters must feel. Sometimes the melodies are hopeful, sometimes they’re fearful. Sometimes they make you cry, like I do, almost every episode. There’s also a subtle siren-like groan throughout the show, a clear nod to the prison these women are kept in. Seriously though, if you don’t watch the show, PUH-LEASE listen to the music - The Handmaid’s Tale by Adam Taylor on Spotify.
Elizabeth Moss won the highly covetable, enviable role of June aka Offred. She carefully emanates Offred’s scheming mind through moments of facial pause with focused eyes, having to quickly calculate what she should say or what her next move should be. After all, her life is always depending on it. I would put a billion dollars down on her getting an Emmy nom. (Edit to add - she won, too!)The role is too good, she is too good, mark my words, it’s happening. Alexis Bledel, Samira Wiley, and Yvonne Strahovski shine in their roles as well. (Alexis carries an entire INTENSE...no, INSANE episode without saying a word!) The men are great too, but this is not their story. They mostly just glare with still mouths and brooding eyes, always looking pensive. And I’m ok with that. THIS ISN’T ABOUT YOU, GUYS.
“Better never means better for everyone.”
“Ordinary is just what you’re used to…”
The Handmaid’s Tale is on Hulu and will start filming season two in September. I CAN’T WAIT THAT LONG?!
