The Romanoffs

:

Season 1
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 25
  3. Negative: 3 out of 25
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Critic Reviews

  1. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Kelly Lawler
    Oct 10, 2018
    37
    It's a prime example of "prestige TV" run amok: all glitz, A-list stars and exotic filming locations with nothing substantive underneath. Hacky, navel-gazing and self-aggrandizing.
  2. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Ben Travers
    Oct 2, 2018
    33
    The writer (or co-writer) and director of every episode relies too heavily on the general mystery surrounding the family to drive interest, and his running times are unforgivably self-indulgent. While the production team has done fine work, from the elegant costuming to lush real-world locations, these episodes don’t deserve their length, especially with Weiner’s uninspired framings and tepid pacing.
  3. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: John Anderson
    Oct 11, 2018
    30
    The connections are faulty and the writing is weak; the Romanov/Romanoff conceit is like caviar on a ham sandwich. The three stories made available for review are slightly salacious, yes, but also narratively trite; it’s as if Mr. Weiner set out to create a hybrid of “Black Mirror” and “Hallmark Hall of Fame.”

User Reviews

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User Score
6.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 33
  3. Negative: 8 out of 33
  1. johnbolling
    Oct 20, 2018
    9
    Having watched all three episodes, I know to expect the unexpected. I enjoy being taken to a different place each week with completelyHaving watched all three episodes, I know to expect the unexpected. I enjoy being taken to a different place each week with completely different stories and even genres. It's great to see these actors being given the chance to perform such distinct roles in just one episode. Rather than picking things apart, I am kind of just kicking back and enjoying. I recommend checking it out and viewing it on its own terms.… Full Review »
  2. Noirman
    Oct 14, 2018
    5
    The pacing for Ep. 1 of this show (The Violet Hour) seemed to be all over the place. As a stand alone piece (within an anthology) it did notThe pacing for Ep. 1 of this show (The Violet Hour) seemed to be all over the place. As a stand alone piece (within an anthology) it did not work and the ending seemed glib and way too cute, given what had come before.

    The wider intent of looking at contemporary global topics (e.g. immigration and cultural diversity) through the mangled DNA of the lost Romanov herd, also felt pretentious and way too forced. Only the presence of Marthe Keller kept me engaged through out. I suspect the problem might have been that no one could quite match her talents.

    I'll persevere i think for 2-3 more outings more but I expected a punchier kick off.    … Full Review »
  3. NikolayG
    Dec 9, 2018
    10
    I've watched 5 episodes so far. Each is a totally different story with different actors. The acting is great in all of them. The visuals areI've watched 5 episodes so far. Each is a totally different story with different actors. The acting is great in all of them. The visuals are beautiful in all except episode 4, which is the dog of all the episodes, and absolute pile of crap. The stories are mixed. In fact, this is the MOST MIXED QUALITY show I have ever watched in my life. There are great ones and really really awful ones. But if you have Amazon Prime just watch the best ones. No harm no foul. So I'm giving this series a 10 based on its strongest episodes. Just skip the others.

    Out of the first 5 episodes I've seen so far, episode 1 and episode 5 are the ones to watch. In fact, episode 5 should be required viewing for everyone in this sick day and age.

    As far as I'm concerned, on the other hand, 2, 3 and 4 are junk.

    You should definitely watch Episode 5, Bright and High Circle. You may or may not love Episode 1, The Violet Hour, as much as I did.

    The first episode's story was great. It was about a somewhat wealthy bigoted old woman dealing with the fact that she has been assigned a Muslim maid, as she also deals with her son's girlfriend who wants nothing more than for the old woman to die so that her boyfriend will inherit the old woman's apartment. Episode 5 was the best. But I don't want to give away anything and spoil it. It's about a bunch of rich families and their piano teacher. That's all I'll say.

    The second episode was about a man on jury duty who lusts after another juror. It was terrible. The third, about an actress acting in a mini-series about the Romanov family in Russia, was far beyond ridiculous. It reminded me of that old Michael Douglas movie called, The Game. The fourth is about an extremely selfish unlikeable 50-ish woman who seems to be upset that all the devious selfish things she's done in her life are not paying dividends, but that instead, she's miserable. Hard to care. Hard to watch. And to make matters worse for whatever reason, the visuals and camera work in the 4th episode are not particularly great. Just average.    … Full Review »
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