Beth, her sister Annie and their childhood friend Ruby are three ordinary mums. They have to cope with the pace of everyday life, the constraints of the job… And as if that weren’t enough, all three are facing an existential crisis, coupled with financial troubles. Beth discovers that her husband is cheating on her, and has ruined them to the point that their house is in danger of foreclosure. Annie risks losing custody of her daughter to a wealthy ex. Ruby’s daughter is gravely ill, and her survival depends on expensive care. Enough is enough!
The three friends decide to rob the supermarket where Annie works, whose security leaves something to be desired. To their great surprise, the safe contains not $30,000, but $500,000! All their problems evaporate! But the joy is short-lived. The owner of the loot, a ganster who was laundering the money, pays them a visit. Forced to work for him, the amateur bank robbers gradually learn the tricks of the criminal trade, and think about going into business for themselves…
Three criminal apprentices and a handsome gangster
This excellent series is quite unclassifiable, combining a tone that is generally that of comedy (but not always) with stories that are, in fact, quite dramatic. Some episodes are dark, violent and sad. But most are really funny. These three “ordinary” women who discover the world of crime believe at first that it’s only temporary, that they’ll be able to return to a “normal” life afterwards. But they will cross more and more red lines, points of no return. Their conscience will try to remind them of the increasingly subtle distinction between bad acts and bad people, until they get used to the fraud or the crime.
The dialogue is very good and well-paced. The characters are all endearing, even Dean, who seems dumb at first, but turns out to be more complex. Stan the righteous will question what is legitimate. Sadie/Ben, Annie’s companions, each bring their own reflections on responsibility. Within the trio, Beth quickly takes on a leadership role. More than money, adrenalin becomes her driving force and her drug. Beth’s complex, sensual relationship with the handsome Rio illustrates her relationship with crime.
The icing on the cake is a playlist of French pop songs!
Despite a somewhat long last season and a half-hearted ending, Good Girls is one of my favorite series.
4 seasons, 50 episodes (45 mn), 2018-2021, NBC, on Netflix until 2025
WITH : Christina Hendricks as Elizabeth “Beth” Boland, Retta as Ruby Hill, Mae Whitman as Annie Marks, Manny Montana as Christopher, also known as Rio, Reno Wilson as Stanley Hill, Matthew Lillard as Dean Boland, Isaiah Stannard as Ben Marks (Sadie Marks), Lidya Jewett as Sara Hill
Recurring : Zach Gilford as Gregg, Sally Pressman as Nancy, David Hornsby as Leslie “Boomer” Peterson (seasons 1–2), James Lesure as FBI Agent Jimmy Turner (seasons 1–2), June Squibb as Marion Peterson (seasons 1–2), Allison Tolman as Mary Pat (seasons 1–2), Sam Huntington as Noah (season 2),
Noureen DeWulf as Krystal (seasons 3–4), Rob Heaps as Dr. Josh Cohen (season 3), Carlos Aviles as Mick (seasons 3–4), Ione Skye as Gayle Meyer (season 3), Lauren Lapkus as Phoebe Donnegan (seasons 3–4), Andrew McCarthy as Mr. Fitzpatrick (season 4), Jonathan Silverman as Dave (season 4), Shane Coffey as Kevin (season 4), Niko Nicotera as Gene (season 4), Breckin Meyer as Vance (season 4), Ignacio Serricchio as Nick (season 4)