In 2018, Anthony Doerr’s novel All The Light We Cannot See took the world by storm, becoming an instant classic.
The novel follows two characters: Marie-Laure, a blind French girl, and Werner, a brilliant orphan from Germany, whose lives are intertwined during World War II.
After years of critical acclaim, the novel is being adapted into a Netflix series. Here’s what you need to know about All The Light We Cannot See, the Netflix series.
All The Light We Cannot See is set in World War II and follows two characters, Marie-Laure and Werner, as their lives become intertwined in a story of resilience and hope.
Marie-Laure is a blind French girl, living in Paris with her great-uncle who is a locksmith for the Museum of Natural History. Werner is a talented orphan from Germany, whose ability with radios puts him in the crosshairs of the Nazi regime.
One of the standout aspects of the Netflix series is its attention to detail. The production design and costumes transport viewers back to the 1940s, immersing them in the time period.
The sets are meticulously crafted, from the narrow streets of Paris to the dark and foreboding Nazi headquarters.
The series does an excellent job of capturing the emotional weight of the novel. The story is a poignant exploration of humanity and the power of connection in the face of adversity.
The performances by the entire cast, especially the young leads, elevate the material and make it a truly compelling watch.
While the series stays true to the source material, it also expands on certain elements, providing more depth and insight into the characters and their motivations.
This allows for a richer viewing experience, even for those who have already read the novel.
However, some viewers may find the pacing of the series to be slow at times. The story unfolds gradually, taking its time to build tension and develop the relationships between the characters.
While this may be a deliberate choice to mirror the pacing of the novel, it may not appeal to those who prefer a faster-paced narrative.
The novel was critically acclaimed when it came out in 2014, and the Netflix series is a faithful adaptation of the source material.
Executive producer and director Scott Frank said in a statement, “I’ve been a fan of Anthony Doerr’s writing ever since I read All The Light We Cannot See. We’ve done our best to be faithful to the spirit of the book and bring its characters to life.”
The series stars Owen Asztalos as Werner and Alexa Nisenson as Marie-Laure. It also features performances by Tom Hollander, Lucy Rayner, and Tatijana Nardone.
The series is directed by Scott Frank, who also wrote the screenplay. Doerr also wrote an episode for the series.
The series has received positive reviews from critics, many of whom praised the performances of the young leads.
Owen Asztalos and Alexa Nisenson bring a vulnerability to their characters that is both heartbreaking and inspiring. The series also features lush cinematography that captures the beauty of the French countryside.
Overall, All The Light We Cannot See is a beautifully crafted and faithful adaptation of the beloved novel.
It successfully captures the essence of the story and brings it to life on the screen. Fans of the book will appreciate the attention to detail and the performances of the cast. However, viewers should be prepared for a slower-paced narrative.
If you’re a fan of historical dramas and heart-wrenching stories of resilience, All The Light We Cannot See is definitely worth a watch. Just don’t forget to have some tissues nearby.
All The Light We Cannot See is currently streaming on Netflix. It is rated PG-13, so viewers should take that into account when deciding if it is suitable for children.
As of this review, the series has a 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, and fans of the novel will likely appreciate the adaptation.