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Story of the Lost Child – My Brilliant Friend

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100% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Pseudonymous author Elena Ferrante has written four mega-popular Neapolitan novels that explore the complicated intensity of female friendship. "My Brilliant Friend" is the first in the series, and also the first to be adapted for television. Filmed in Italian, the eight-episode drama centers on elderly author Elena Greco, who learns that the most important friend in her life, Lila Cerullo, has disappeared without a trace. It causes Elena to reflect on the early days of their friendship in dangerous but fascinating Naples, Italy, in the 1950s, when Elena and Lila are two very different girls at the top of their class. The story goes on to cover more than 60 years of their lives as Elena tries to describe the mystery of Lila.
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My Brilliant Friend — Story of the Lost Child

Critics Reviews

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Jo-Ann Titmarsh Financial Times The series, like the characters, has matured and appears richer, both in subject matter and style. Rated: 4/5 Dec 23, 2024 Full Review Rebecca Nicholson Guardian Like its outstanding previous seasons, this Italian drama continues to be rich, sumptuous and deliciously overwrought, but at the same time thoughtful and surprisingly delicate. Rated: 5/5 Nov 21, 2024 Full Review Alan Sepinwall Rolling Stone This was a truly great show that will hopefully be discovered more and more over the years, and light a spark of imagination in future creators the same way that reading Little Women once shined a light on the future for Lila and Elena. Nov 9, 2024 Full Review Maddy Casale Decider From the incredible acting to the impactful writing, this Italian series continues to expertly depict the complexity of human relationships over time and seems poised to end on a high with this fourth and final season. Dec 24, 2024 Full Review Valentina Morillo El Español (Spain) 'My brilliant friend' returns outstanding for its farewell and promises a finale worthy of Ferrante's work Sep 10, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Greg K Destructing power structures has arrived in the mainstream. Dares to glimpse into a facette of Italy, and in doing so, points to universal truths, the most important being friendship. Thank you Ferrante and collaborateuers. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/01/24 Full Review Janice Q Such a beautiful body of work by the mysterious writer Ferrante. My Brilliant Friend should become a classic tale of deep truths of intimate relationships. So beautifully done--a real labor of love. It's depth leaves me very moved and speechless. I am in awe. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/12/24 Full Review Gayle R was addicted to seasons 1-3. only watched first episode of season 4, casting and timeline make no sense at all! Surprising the creators thought this was a good idea. Don’t think I can continue because I find myself feeling irritated and can’t connect like I did with first three seasons. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 11/10/24 Full Review Brittany M Disappointed at the casting fiasco and sadly it's too difficult to recommit myself to the amazing narrative when I don't even know who's on screen. Simply aging up key characters, as they did for some, would have been a "brilliant" idea. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 11/06/24 Full Review Verónica P Much to my regret, I'm not enjoying the fourth and final season of "My Brilliant Friend". I love Ferrante's books and the first 3 season of the show, but the change of cast with Lenú and the idiot Nino is a fiasco. What a way to ruin a series that had managed to make us marvel at the complexity of its characters. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/05/24 Full Review Robert P Brilliant and spellbinding-- the interplay between Lila and Lenu has been masterfully crafted. The sets are outstanding. Story telling at its very best Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/29/24 Full Review Read all reviews
My Brilliant Friend — Story of the Lost Child

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Cast & Crew

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Alba Rohrwacher

Elena Greco

Irene Maiorino

Raffaella Cerullo

Fabrizio Gifuni

Nino Sarratore

Stefano Dionisi

Franco Mari

Anna Rita Vitolo

Immacolata

Pier Giorgio Bellocchio

Pietro Airota

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 9, 2024 The Separation Elena considers moving back to Naples after being chastised by both Immacolata and Adele; Lila shares shocking news about Nino. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 16, 2024 The Dispersion Unable to forgive Nino's betrayal, Elena decides to bring Dede and Elsa to stay at Mariarosa and Franco's home in Milan. Details Episode 3 Aired Sep 23, 2024 Compromises On a visit to the neighborhood for the first time in years, Elena attempts to make peace with Immacolata and learns that her mother has been unwell; when Elena and Nino return from a trip to New York, she and Lila grow closer. Details Episode 4 Aired Sep 30, 2024 The Earthquake After spending a day together, a sudden earthquake sends terror through Naples as Lila and Elena try to reunite with their families. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 7, 2024 The Fracture After Elena's daughter Imma's birth, Lila brings Elena's mother to see the baby, but the visit is unexpectedly cut short when Immacolata collapses; when Nino and Lila take Immacolata to the hospital, Elena finds herself plagued with jealousy. Details Episode 6 Aired Oct 14, 2024 The Cheat After a tragic loss and stunned by Nino's actions yet again, Elena takes refuge at Lila's and finally learns the truth about him. Details Episode 7 Aired Oct 21, 2024 The Return Still reeling from her breakup, Elena reconnects with Antonio, who shares the full extent of Nino's betrayals; Elena discovers that her new book is a success; tensions run high at Elisa and Marcello's wedding. Details Episode 8 Aired Oct 28, 2024 The Investigation After Elena discovers that Carmen has been pressured into suing her for slander, she and Lila decide to work together on a report of the Solaras' affairs; Elena learns that their article may not be enough to put the brothers behind bars. Details Episode 9 Aired Nov 3, 2024 The Disappearance During Nino's long overdue visit to see Imma, a sudden and mysterious disappearance rocks the neighborhood; the Solaras help organize a search, Enzo remains suspicious of their involvement; Lila becomes consumed by her own conspiracies. Details Episode 10 Aired Nov 10, 2024 Restitution Elena tries to manage a crisis when Elsa runs away from home; many years later, Lila manages to surprise her friend yet again. Details

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My Brilliant Friend — Story of the Lost Child

My Brilliant Friend: Story of the Lost Child: Season 4 Trailer My Brilliant Friend: Story of the Lost Child: Season 4 Trailer 2:05 My Brilliant Friend: Story of the Lost Child: Season 4 Teaser My Brilliant Friend: Story of the Lost Child: Season 4 Teaser 1:31 View more videos
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My Brilliant Friend — Story of the Lost Child

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Season Info

Director
Laura Bispuri
Executive Producer
Saverio Costanzo, Paolo Sorrentino, Jennifer Schuur, Elena Recchia, Laura Paolucci, Guido De Laurentiis
Screenwriter
Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci, Saverio Costanzo
Network
HBO
Rating
TV-MA (V|L)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Italian
Release Date
Sep 9, 2024