The opening moments of PBS’ Alice & Jack immediately set the tone for the narrative ahead. Jack (played by Domhnall Gleeson) reflects in a voiceover, “Love is the best thing we have,” while he and Alice (portrayed by Andrea Riseborough) share a melancholic gaze in a field. He suggests that amidst life’s complexities, love might be the sole essence worth holding onto.
Though the sentiment initially appears commonplace, it evolves into a cautionary message. Love, particularly the turbulent relationship at the story’s core, becomes the sole focus of this drama. However, like any other aspect of life, love requires external nourishment to thrive. By excessively fixating on their romance, Alice & Jack neglects the authenticity necessary for it to flourish.
The series commences with an evening that seems like an ordinary date but profoundly impacts Jack and Alice. Meeting through a dating app in 2007, they share flirtatious banter at a bar, leading to a restrained intimacy at Alice’s place. Despite this connection, Alice abruptly ends their encounter, setting the stage for a tumultuous dynamic characterized by push and pull over the next fifteen years.
Riseborough and Gleeson deliver performances that capture the essence of their characters, despite the limited depth provided. Their chemistry, though palpable, struggles to justify the initial gloomy tone. The series, too absorbed by the protagonists’ love affair, fails to explore other dimensions of their lives or the evolving world around them.
Furthermore, secondary characters serve primarily as instruments to propel Alice and Jack’s relationship forward, lacking depth or individuality. The narrative lacks insight into the protagonists’ inner worlds, leaving their growth and motivations unexplained.
In its defense, Alice & Jack acknowledges the damaging aspects of their relationship, portraying how love can drive selfish actions and irrational demands. However, it fails to provide a convincing portrayal of their bond’s validity, relying too heavily on the spectacle of their suffering rather than genuine emotional depth.
Ultimately, while Alice & Jack may aim for the poignancy of a classic romance, it falls short in substantiating the authenticity of its central relationship. The exhaustion portrayed in their love story seems more a result of its superficiality than the complexities of genuine affection.
