Recs #36: The best new show, group chats, and hot Shakespeare boyfriends
You’re currently a free subscriber to Downtime. If you love what you read and discover here, please consider upgrading to paid. It’s what allows me to (literally) work on the newsletter. Thanks for reading, either way. *I’m offering 15% off an annual subscription for a limited time. Recs #36: The best new show, group chats, and hot Shakespeare boyfriendsPlus some thoughts on not posting the pic.This is the Friday post, a weekly roundup of recommendations and delightful distractions.Reminder: We have a February subscriber chat where you can share your current obsessions and/or ask for recommendations! Paid subs can see it on the web here or in the Substack app.Happy Friday! How was your post-Lunar New Year, post-Super Bowl Valentine’s week? It’s been a bit chaotic here, and not because of the aforementioned events. I’ll share a short life catch-up with paid subs soon, but it’s been a week of just rolling with the punches and embracing the happy chaos. One of us is a dumpling; the other one *ate* many dumplings last week. Today’s issue is jam-packed so I’ll get on with it. I hope you enjoyed a week filled with festivity, love, and good chocolate. —Alisha Read on for…
This is a long email and it might clip. You can click “view in browser” or see it on the web here.This was a weird week with [ironically] not much downtime, so I really just have one big recommendation for you… 📺 Watch: One Day on Netflix Based on the novel of the same title by David Nicholls published in 2009, this show is a must watch. Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew are students at the University of Edinburgh when they meet on one fateful, feted night during their class graduation party. Emma is a nerd, self-conscious at times and self-assured during others. Dexter is the Edinburgh golden boy, having grown up with the full package of wealth, charm, and good looks¹. The two are seemingly at odds with one another, yet they’re brought together by some mysterious magnetism. Emma and Dexter both see the other perfectly for who they truly are, a recipe for falling in love and driving each other mad. The show documents the same date, July 15th, over the course of many years, in which the pair fall apart and come together (and again and again) as they navigate their journey into adulthood. This is a romance without romanticizing. The show spotlights the quotidian stuff of life that’s actually the big stuff. There are no grand montages of either of these characters magically achieving their big career goals or following a clean, upward trajectory into a perfect grown-up life. Their story is messy. Emma and Dexter make bad decisions that snowball into reckless, lost chapters. They’re figuring life out, with all its ups and downs, but are rarely in sync (much to the viewer’s dismay). I won’t ruin the ending, but their inevitable romance doesn’t quite come together in the way you might expect. Have tissues ready. Also, this casting! Actor Leo Woodall’s performance ( who played the “nephew” in The White Lotus) is full of heart and heartbreak, which is needed to play a boy who has everything, yet is in a clear free fall after his mother’s terminal illness diagnosis and his resulting addiction. I was less familiar with Ambika Mod, who plays Emma, but consider myself charmed. The first few episodes made me doubt the chemistry between these two, but they find their footing with another. The banter is believable and endearing. One Day mixes the bittersweet romance of Normal People with the deadpan comedy of Fleabag, with a perfect soundtrack to boot that directly correlates with the years depicted (e.g. Elliott Smith for 2002). The episodes are short and perfect for an evening when you just want to melt into the couch, light a candle, and feel a full range of emotions—including utter devastation. Have you seen this yet? Read the book? How does it compare to the 2011 Anne Hathaway movie? Sound off in the comments. Introducing a section of new-to-me products (discoveries) and pop culture news/celebrity gossip (distractions) that’s crossed my radar I want to gab with you about… ⭐️ Discoveries
🫣 DistractionsKeep reading with a 7-day free trialSubscribe to Downtime to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives. A subscription gets you:
|
Older messages
Catching Up and 3 Fun Things
Monday, February 19, 2024
A lot is going on right now... ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Weekend Recs #35: Feel the love (and the chocolate cake)
Friday, February 9, 2024
A special guest edit by writer, editor, and podcast host Aliza Abarbanel.
The Helpful Phrase I'm Repeating This Week
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Do you have a saying that keeps you grounded?
Weekend Recs #34: All the soup recipes, rockstar authors, and monthly expenses
Friday, February 2, 2024
Plus: Announcing our February book club pick!
Weekend Recs #33: It's an excellent time to make little treats
Friday, January 26, 2024
Lots of recs from our special guests, like the one thing you should always try before buying anything online.
You Might Also Like
Sean Combs Claims Responsibility for Cassie Assault in Video
Sunday, May 19, 2024
View on web New reader? Subscribe May 19, 2024 Sean Combs Claims 'Full Responsibility' for Cassie Assault in Video Apology: 'I Make No Excuses' "I was disgusted then when I did it
‘IF’ Buddies Up To $59M WW; ‘Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes’ Rises To $237.5M - International Box Office
Sunday, May 19, 2024
View on web New reader? Subscribe May 19, 2024 'IF' Buddies Up To $59M WW; 'Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes' Rises To $237.5M - International Box Office By Nancy Tartaglione This
'IF' Rises To $34M+, 'Strangers: Chapter 1' Strong At Near $12M, 'Back To Black' Goes Belly-Up At $2.8M - Sunday Box Office Update
Sunday, May 19, 2024
View on web New reader? Subscribe May 19, 2024 'IF' Rises To $34M+, 'Strangers: Chapter 1' Strong At Near $12M, 'Back To Black' Goes Belly-Up At $2.8M - Sunday Box Office Update
Demi Moore Talks Role In Taylor Sheridan’s 'Landman' and Confirms Second Season Ahead Of Cannes Official Selection Debut In ‘The Substance’
Sunday, May 19, 2024
View on web New reader? Subscribe May 19, 2024 Demi Moore Talks Role In Taylor Sheridan's 'Landman' & Confirms Second Season Ahead Of Cannes Official Selection Debut In 'The
Imax Doc ‘The Blue Angels’ Soars, ‘I Saw The TV Glow’ Shows Broad Appeal, Nice Open For ‘Babes’ In Upbeat Indie Weekend - Specialty Box Office
Sunday, May 19, 2024
View on web New reader? Subscribe May 19, 2024 Imax Doc 'The Blue Angels' Soars, 'I Saw The TV Glow' Shows Broad Appeal, Nice Open For 'Babes' In Upbeat Indie Weekend -
Somali Director Mo Harawe Talks History-Making Cannes Title 'The Village Next To Paradise': "For 70% Of The Crew, It Was First Time On A Film Set"
Sunday, May 19, 2024
View on web New reader? Subscribe May 19, 2024 Somali Director Mo Harawe Talks History-Making Cannes Title 'The Village Next To Paradise': "For 70% Of The Crew, It Was First Time On A Film
Alana Hadid’s Watermelon Pictures Takes North America For Gaza Director Mohamed Jabaly’s Doc 'Life Is Beautiful'
Sunday, May 19, 2024
View on web New reader? Subscribe May 19, 2024 Alana Hadid's Watermelon Pictures Takes North America For Gaza Director Mohamed Jabaly's Doc 'Life Is Beautiful' By Melanie Goodfellow
'Hello, Love, Again': Star Cinema and GMA Pictures Set Sequel To Filipino Box Office Hit 'Hello, Love, Goodbye'
Sunday, May 19, 2024
View on web New reader? Subscribe May 18, 2024 'Hello, Love, Again': Star Cinema & GMA Pictures Set Sequel To Filipino Box Office Hit 'Hello, Love, Goodbye' By Sara Merican This
Naomie Harris and Lashana Lynch Back Campaign To Improve Hair and Makeup Experience For Black Actors
Saturday, May 18, 2024
View on web New reader? Subscribe May 18, 2024 Naomie Harris & Lashana Lynch Back Campaign To Improve Hair & Makeup Experience For Black Actors By Max Goldbart This email was sent to
The Mad Scientist and the Killer Whales
Saturday, May 18, 2024
View on web New reader? Subscribe May 18, 2024 The Mad Scientist and the Killer Whales Since 2020, orcas off the coast of Spain and Portugal have sunk several sailing vessels and destroyed hundreds of