Z: The Beginning of Everything (2015–2017) User Reviews

Ricci, Strathairn, and the Fitzgeralds? I'm in.

[handy314 · 8/10 · 9 November 2015]

The Jazz Age Fitzgeralds were such lightning in a bottle, that to try and capture it is audacious: we know the champagne will pour and the fame will come, and the real pain will come with the hangovers and end in despair for the both of them.

But the controversial choice of Christina Ricci as Jazz Baby Number One instead of any other McAdams Barbie doll from the Hollywood shelf gives this pilot a bounce and possibility because she is such a hellcat. I'm already jonesin' for her wild gin-fed car scream rides and Paris fountain dances. And David Strathairn is such a delightfully stolid and formal southern judge for her to bounce off of.

Fitz is such a limp hankie next to her--which was probably true--that watching him ignite into brilliance from her bad girl spark and become the man who could write Gatsby and fall Icarus-like back to Earth in her skirts to face the Depression is very promising.

Most importantly, this is a sumptuous period piece from one of two most exciting decades of the last century. If Amazon orders more of "Z", I will be a devoted watcher. Thanks for letting us review.

Beginning of what?

[Goingbegging · 8/10 · 9 November 2017]

This film is adapted from a novelised version of the Scott and Zelda story, seen from Zelda's angle for once - much in line with Christina Ricci's own feminist agenda, as she has explained to the media at some length.

It sheds an unflattering light on Scott, deservedly enough, because he was indeed an immature and incomplete character, whose drinking shocked even Hemingway. Yet Hemingway blamed Zelda for distracting Scott from a sensible day's work, although he did fall back on her extensive diaries for much of the detail in his novels.

But any political message is bound to be eclipsed by the sheer fun of a Roaring Twenties spectacular, based around the couple who essentially invented that decade (in Scott's own phrase, 'The Jazz Age'). We start at the fag-end of the Great War, with 20-year olds writing their Last Will and Testament, as they await the fateful crossing to France. Posted to Alabama, Scott meets Zelda, the local county belle, spoilt and wilful, who is rather casually doing her bit for the war effort. There is a believable portrayal of a respectable Southern home, where Zelda's father, played with deep conviction by David Strathairn, tries to keep her in order, while "Well-behaved women don't make history" is flashed-up on the screen, as though it was coined by Zelda, which it wasn't.

We have to conclude that Zelda's fame as Scott's muse will always outshine any other role she may have hoped for (novelist, artist, ballerina), and Ricci fills the role as well as anyone could, despite being twice the age of the girl she plays. The title comes from Scott's declaration "I love her, and it is the beginning of everything". This may not seem to mean much, though it is true that he might never have got his first novel into print (third try), if Zelda had not stipulated this as her first condition of their engagement.

The puzzle remains as to why Amazon decided at the last moment to cancel this promising series before its second season (September 2017).

Shows promise... but flounders

[jackfulton12 · 6/10 · 3 February 2019]

Starts very, very strong. And then it begins to meander. I feel it would have been better if it'd been created with the intention to be a limited mini-series rather than a TV series, because then the writing team could have crafted a compelling beginning, middle, and end. As it is, without a season 2 renewal, it just sort of... ends.

So sad this series was cancelled!

[Olinthecity · 13 September 2017]

I cannot believe the negative reviews for this series! I am extremely interested in the Jazz Age/Flapper/Prohibition era as well as the Fitzgeralds who were true embodiments of this time period.

I think it was beautifully filmed, and despite what some reviewers say, I believe Christina Ricci was an excellent choice to play the complicated Zelda Fitzgerald. I won't drone on and on but just need to say I am so disappointed this wasn't picked up for at least one more season.

One more thing: I am so tired of special effects/vulgarity/and fast-paced MTV generation short attention span dialogue that is found in most contemporary shows and films!

Cancelled??? Bring it back!

[suzskelly · 10/10 · 1 February 2019]

I am shocked that this series was cancelled! I kept looking for the new season - I'm so disappointed! Amazon, Bring it back! The acting and the storyline was superb. The story of Zelda is intriguing and I would have loved to have seen more!

...not a waste of time, not a miracle...

[MarketaN · 6/10 · 25 February 2017]

I looked forward to this show since its pilot in 2015. Mostly because I am interested in this famous couple. But I must confess that I was bored the first half of the first season. One episode has only half an hour and it still seemed to be unfulfilled. I almost stopped watching it but the other half somehow caught my attention.

The mise-en-scene balances showing glamorous era with realistic depiction. It is believable.

It is adaptation of a book focused on Zelda's story. It is Zelda's point of view. She is the heroine. But unfortunately character of F. S. Fitzgerald is depicted as a villain. For me it was not good choice to show F. Scott Fitzgerald as such a negative character. In society is big question about their relationship, who were they actually. So in the story I would appreciate more questionable representation instead of such black and white characters. At least based on season one. Maybe creators change their direction if season two takes place.

Christina Ricci is fairly good choice for this role. On the other hand, David Hofflin is just hardly believable. Maybe it is problem of casting in the first place. Supporting woman roles are delightful, little caricatures of people of that era.

For now, the show did not mean waste of time for me but neither a miracle.

Great period drama

[vlg_skimpy · 10/10 · 18 August 2018]

I recently read the book as recommendation from a friend, with the intent of binge watching an entire series about the book. I was beyond disappointed to learn that there was only one season. Not only was the series great in its own right, had I read the book or not, but it did a great job sticking with the story line of the book. I truly hope that the either Prime will rethink its decision of canceling the series or it will be picked up by another outlet like Netflix. I would LOVE to see the full vision of the book come to life!!

The show is a 7, Ricci as Zelda is a 10

[HillstreetBunz · 7/10 · 21 March 2023]

This show was apparently developed by Ricci after a book that really focused more wholly on Zelda.

The writers here have opened it up to be more about Zelda and Scott, as emblematic of their moment etc. While the show is beautiful and well paced, and Hoflin is pretty good as FSG, it is at its best when it focuses on Ricci who really gives a brilliant performance and manages to assume the moment and it's obvious touchpoints (cigarette holders, champagne glasses, insouciance etc) without apparent cliche.

She is well supported by the more senior players, but some of the actors playing the coterie of friends and hangers on have been unable to see the wood for the trees and just give arch performances that lean too heavily on stereotypes and the aforementioned props. The writers too are to blame: ultimately it is not quite what we hope for, but it's still a bit mean spirited that Ricci wasn't lauded for this performance. She carry's it as far as it goes, and it goes pretty far.

Why must such a good show be cancelled!??

[rachelanastasia-39280 · 10/10 · 11 March 2020]

Really sad to read that the show season 2 has been cancelled. Really angry with Amazon production company or whoever it was who put an end to it. Agree with the other reviews, sick and tired of this MTV culture. Typical! Fat cats who sit at the top making all the wrong decisions as per usual! Christina Ricci was fantastic in this show too

Pretty well done

[laurelhardy-12268 · 7/10 · 8 August 2021]

First, I'll comment on the divided reviews. Although not typically my cup of tea; the production was well done. Considering this is basically a historical Bio-Drama, which took place in an era some 100 years ago, it wasn't bad at all.

I was surprised to see Ricci cast as Zelda, but she did a decent job, as did Fitzgerald's portrayer.

If you know the story of Fitzgerald, it's really a very depressing ballad. He was a serious alcoholic up until a year prior to his premature death. Zelda was perhaps worse as her mental illness truly manifest itself as she aged, but still relatively young.

I believe the production did a good job in a few areas, not the least of which was, early on, conveying to the viewer their self-absorbed pretentiousness. Whether or not this was typical with success in those circles, it was honestly, fairly disgusting. As such, I'm sure most viewers could not empathize with either of them (let alone sympathize.) The series is slow at times and my wife and I watched it in pieces over several nights. As is so often the case, the producers/writers just plain ignored quite a bit. Just as well. I mean how much misery can we take.

But the sets, attire, music, and filters did indeed achieve a good (shall we say) "flapper" atmosphere & ambience.

All that said, I do agree with the praises by other reviewers. But it not going to have appeal for those who don't go in for this type of production. For me, I was OK with it, but certainly, could never venture a 2nd viewing.

Bob R.

Sorry, no sale

[meyer-wil · 2/10 · 6 April 2021]

The leads are far too old for their roles. Ricci cannot pass for 16, and can't fake the relative innocence of a teen. Similarly, Hoflin is 40, trying to play 20.

Embarrassing, really.

The terrible casting of the leads may be one reason the story doesn't draw me -- it's implausible, start to finish.

I am sure that the story itself would make a great series, if well cast. But this is not that series.

You gave it 1 star cuz IMDB has the rating wrong?

[kai-cross · 10/10 · 27 August 2018]

Gosh, juleperry, that's SO smart! Rate a show bad because someone messed up on the rating. Because, you know, that really reflects on the acting, directing, production, etc.! And you being mad makes that rating ok....uh huh.

How about a real rating? This program is wonderfully produced and has great acting, but it might be a little bit slow and too intellectual for people who don't know much about the literary world. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I rated it based upon its actual value... and not some messed-up rating.

Foiled by Bad Writing -OR- a Cancelled 2nd Season?

[eandrusk · 7/10 · 5 August 2021]

I had high expectations for this series, but in the end, there were some fatal flaws, the biggest of which might have been that it's missing a season? Perhaps they intended to shoot a second season where Zelda has a child and then Fitzgerald goes to Hollywood. For what they did show, I think several episodes were great and really showed the luster and enchantment between the couple and the twenties. I loved the beginning episodes in the south and it really built up the main character as a rebel without a cause. Zelda is fiesta and enchanting, and everything we expect her to be. Then the tumultuous love unfolds in later episodes, ... all important stories to share in the initial episodes: The booze, booze, booze, which would help even the strongest of relationships crumble, and all of the tensions that go along with careers of men, and the stifling of careers for women throughout history. I liked that they were able to draw on factual evidence that Zelda and her husband wrote similarly enough to concede that his stories were not purely his own. However, I thought the last episode or two fell flat and were somewhat liberal with the truth. Zelda tried to run away from her husband with another man when they lived on the French coast (around the time he wrote the Great Gatsby) and sure enough, given the times, he locked her in a room until she promised she wouldn't leave him, because you know...the 20's...and Scott likely wasn't having extramarital affairs until he lived in Hollywood, so there are tons of plot holes here and to be fair, I can't for the life of me figure out why they made an entire episode out of driving to Montgomery from the East Coast. I mean, on screen, it's just as boring as it sounds, and doesn't do anything to develop the characters or the plot which is their lives. YIKES! Big fail on the last 2 episodes. My guess is that season 2 would have had a few episodes dedicated to their time in Paris, Zelda's tense relationship with Hemingway, and eventually the death of her father, who was a Supreme Court Justice (a detail which is baffling to leave out, as it develops his character). Last, Zelda's time in and out of institutions would have been an interesting plot twist. I feel some of these episodes were just down right boring, and they could have really had more bang for their buck with a better writer to adapt the book to a screenplay. WTF, writers?!?!?! You kind of rendered a brilliant idea dead in the water. Sigh. What a sweet and heart-aching story, fumbled before it fully took off. And who wasn't craving a glimpse into their fancy life in Paris? I mean HELLO it's in a ton of other charming movies, but not a show about Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald themselves?!?! This had to have been a second season cancellation, in which case, please bring season 2 back, please! I will mumble curse words here while I'm waiting.... F#%&;/+ no good w#$&;/%...

Made it through episode 7 then...

[dnusser · 5/10 · 8 April 2022]

Okay, I made it through episode 7, mostly due to costumes. I could not get over the F. Scott Fitzgerald actor, as he was very unlikeable. I'm sorry, but all the male actors seemed so wooden (especially, the father of Zelda) I just didn't want to donate anymore of my time to a show that had me scoffing, through most of it.

So, that's my personal take.

What? No loud explosions and flying demi-Gods..??!

[Lambertart · 24 October 2019]

That MUST be why this excellent series is gone(?)... I enjoyed the show and every friend that I know who watched it felt the same. Why is it that ANY intellectual program that doesn't appeal to the lowest common mindset has to wind up in the dumpster..? We are now reduced to picking and choosing from the mediocre menu that is served. How do we get any satisfaction when a gem isn't allowed to find it's legs? Anyone out there remember a small tv show named Star Trek..?

Where's season 2??

[meganclague · 8/10 · 17 February 2021]

I have a particular fondness for period dramas & this one didn't disappoint. It didn't get a 9 -10 because I felt the storyline could have had more depth which I was expecting to be developed in a second season. I'm unsure of the time span it was supposed to represent but I didn't get that Zelda was there long enough to be known as the original flapper & icon of the age. It seemed unfinished to leave it where it did.

While Amazon's synopsis may intrigue you, Ricci doesn't bring the oomph.

[Amari-Sali · 6/10 · 25 December 2016]

The Introduction

It's 1918 and World War I has yet to end and one rich southern girl named Zelda (Christina Ricci) has become so bored of life in Montgomery, Alabama. All the boys are the same, the men similar but with more responsibilities, and no one seems stimulating at all. Thus leaving Zelda to talk to boys, be passed around like a basketball on a dance floor, and maybe kiss a few frogs in hopes he maybe a prince. All to the ire of her father Judge (David Strathairn) who sees her actions as the makings of a hussy. But when in the pursuit of love and quality companionship, nothing is accomplished if you just sit around and move about the same old circles right?

Things To Note

I should note this about more than romance, but while the war effort is a wallflower there isn't much else talked about besides Zelda's pursuit of fun and romance.

Low Points

If First Impressions Are Everything, This One Doesn't Make A Good One

Call it fatigue, perhaps even low tolerance for average or mediocre programming but honestly, Ricci doesn't present Zelda in such a way where you desire to care. Nevermind my own personal loathing for following rich people problems, which usually deal with boredom despite so much at their fingertips, Ricci just honestly doesn't have that oomph to justify being a leading actress. Not to imply she is a bad actress, in any way, it is just she blends so well into the background that often times it is like she isn't there. She doesn't have that energy, that allure, per se, which leads you to have an attachment to Zelda.

She isn't alone, though. In general, with this being a southern period piece, naturally all the main players are white and strangely telling one apart from another is difficult. Leading me to wonder if it may even be Ricci that brought a dullness to the pilot and perhaps just the writing in general. For while the set is beautiful, the clothing quite interesting, you will be hard pressed to say one character in the whole entire pilot really caught your attention.

Overall: Negative (Don't Watch)

I maintain the opinion that Amazon still is struggling to find a steady stream of original content so that it is truly capable of competing with Netflix, Hulu, and other online video services. Part of the reason is because it seems like they don't want to take a real risk, they want to mostly produce the same type of shows that you can find on cable or network TV, hopefully at the same cost, and have a cheap hit. Now, while you do have to applaud them to not rely on sex in their shows, for the most part, unfortunately, Amazon exhibits why other platforms rely on sex selling their program so heavily. For once you strip that away, what is left?

Well, Z: The Beginning of Everything, shows you what. You have dull, almost monotone characters. The kind no more interesting than an extra and yet they somehow are right in front of the camera. Add in that Ricci, despite her years of experience, doesn't have that Nicholas Hoult, Omari Hardwick, or Viola Davis type persona [1] to hook you and want you to get to know this world she has likely been drowning herself in, and you are left with a time waster. Though, thankfully, Amazon shows are only a half hour so while this pilot is such a bore it'll feel longer than that, imagine how tedious an hour in Zelda's world would have been.

Things to Note

1. To elaborate, the names mentioned, despite having a show in which they are the only recognizable name, they bring something to it so that you want to know who these characters are that are played by unfamiliar actors. They lead you to desire to know what happens next to this person and Ricci, alongside the writers of the pilot, just don't succeed in making you want to experience Zelda's world no matter how interesting she supposedly is on paper.

Enough redeeming factors to have another season

[hartley-91411 · 8/10 · 7 October 2019]

Ricci's southern accent was too forced, Scott surely had more depth than character revealed...but the story was entertaining and I'm frustrated to learn today that it was cancelled after 10 episodes. I would think the spillover from Downton Abbey popularity would have been a clue to executives that there would be interest in this period piece. Please bring it back!

I'm trying to watch....

[the_shadows · 6/10 · 8 February 2021]

But Christina Ricci just looks too old to pass for a teenager. The trivia section said they digitally altered her image to appear younger, they forgot the crows feet! Completely distracting.

Brilliant Drama

[krismas-15545 · 8/10 · 8 June 2020]

It was one of my all time favorites but it is sad they discontinued

Full of Life

[fcerezo-98950 · 6/10 · 8 June 2019]

With intense references reflecting on her life and that of Scott F's "gin(evra)" "a friend from Chicago". I am in the pilot and already like it a lot. So inspiring and evocative to life best challenges; to live is to challenge the past so that one can discover what the future is about and be a character of it.

Terrible dialogs

[maite-75426 · 5/10 · 28 October 2021]

Costume design and production design were amazing. I really liked they didn't reflect the era as just one look, just one style.

The fact that the actors are older didn't bother me that much.

But the writing... Omg they where so explicit, so literal and foreshadowing. No subtleties there whatsoever.

Beacuse of that, the show felt a little more like a soap opera than a quality tv drama.

What a Gem!

[warren4326 · 10/10 · 20 April 2021]

I cannot believe I've missed this! As a fan of F. Scott Fitzgerald and a fan of the delightful actress Christina Rick it seems I would have seen this by now. This is a new take on The Great Gatsby; one I haven't seen before. I love it and wish there were more of it. Great story line. Great acting. Great staging.

This show needs a revival!

Unwatchable

[netmedia · 2/10 · 17 May 2017]

Christina Ricci as Zelda is a bizarre choice. She is almost 20 years older than what Zelda would have been at the time this story takes place. I could understand someone 5-8 years older, but 20, No. She is not able to play a teenager and looks more a matron than a flapper. Granted she is an attractive women, but a teenager she is not. This is a compete waist of time.

Encore, more! Series 2 please, Zelda's brilliant but so was Scott

[Starfilmsgold · 8/10 · 17 April 2021]

Compelling watch, stayed up every night as it quickly became my favourite bedtime story. My Dad used to read to us and he loved literature, Hemmingway and Fitzgerald. Amazing revelations about the Fitzgeralds' courtship and romance, showing Zelda as a rebel, a free spirit and a woman with ideas and words that were repressed in those days in a male dominant society. Sizzling sex scenes and stunning nudity! She and Scott fought as both had their own ideas but made up sweetly afterwards. A very romantic story with champagne flowing as 'profligate as the sunshine'.

Christina Ricci as Zelda! Could hardly recognise her. We remember her as the delightful child terror, Wednesday Adams, in The Adamas Family (lol). Grown up, she is now a shining superstar as Zelda. Superb acting with an accent that was quite daunting, but she did it. David Hoflin as Scott Fitzgerald is one of the most 'natural' actors I'd come across. He acts perfectly natural, like everything was really happening to him! The other characters like Townsend and Zelda's damning Judge father (Strathairn) were also brilliantly portrayed.

We all would love to see the 2nd series, dreading the ending as it'd be too tragic to bear, maybe even to watch. Please make the 2nd series but do not underplay Scott's genius in writing - if he had borrowed some words from Zelda's diary, those were not his greatest quotes as he had coined many original phrases himself. "I'm not sentimental, I'm as romantic as you are. The sentimental person thinks things will last, while the romantic person has a desperate feeling that they won't!" - F. Scott Fitzgerald.