What we’re watching –
I recently took a trip to the Ozarks to spend time with my family. But while I was there, I didn’t see the drug cartel, money launderers, the KC mob or even poppy farms. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, then this Netflix recommendation is for you!
You really have to watch the Netflix series Ozark – the final season drops later this year. Ozark tells the story of a husband and wife who take their two children and move from Chicago to Lake of the Ozarks in MIssouri. The Ozark mountains are an area in Missouri and Arkansas that are a strange combination of natural beauty and a hodgepodge of divergent cultures (for example within one strip of mountainous highway you can see religious billboards, strip clubs, pawn shops, drive-through liquor stores and churches all in a row!)
That’s all I’m going to give away about the series, because it is so much more complicated than even that. And disclaimer – It’s graphic, violent, and often dark. So why would I even recommend Ozark? The plot is so unusual, the show is so well-made and the characters are so unique. (For example Ruth is my favorite – her character evolves from local redneck grifter to sinister and sometimes empathic genius!) The cinematography is also intense and effective – almost every outside shot is bleak and overcast, although it’s usually sunny in the Ozarks. This gray hue is even carried throughout inside shots, including their mid-century lake house, which normally would seem cool and funky, but instead just appears creepy. This lighting conveys such an eerie and ominous feeling and sets the tone for the entire series. As my kids would say – Mood. Finally, the storyline is so gripping – it’s almost impossible not to binge!
And who doesn’t like Jason Bateman???? Two thumbs up for Ozark from Annette and Bev!
The Ozarks