On March 3rd, a miniseries was released on Amazon Prime adapted from the 2019 Taylor Jenkins Reid book Daisy Jones and the Six. It recounts the rise and fall of a fictional 70s rock band by the same name. This is a review of the first six episodes of the show.
THE PLOT
The show, which was created by Amazon Studios, features an incredible cast and exceptional production value that transport viewers back to the 1970s music scene. The story is told through a mix of interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and flashbacks, all of which work together to create a sense of intimacy with the characters. I’ve loved the plot since I read the book and even though the TV show is not exactly like the book, it does a great job of keeping me interested.
The Cast
The acting is one of the high points, especially from the leads Riley Keough as Daisy Jones and Sam Claflin as Billy Dunne. The chemistry between the cast members is palpable, and getting lost in their world is easy. Will Harrison’s performance as Graham and Josh Whitehouse’s as Eddie made me like characters I didn’t like in the book. Camila Morrone’s performance was also a stand-out for me from the very first episode. The actors bring depth and nuance to their characters, making me feel invested in their journeys.
The Music
The way the show handled the music is in my opinion the best part of the adaptation. The show also does an excellent job of portraying the music of the era. The original songs are catchy and memorable. The concert scenes are well choreographed and filmed, with a sense of energy and excitement that captures the thrill of live music. Riley Keough and Sam Claflin’s voices are beautiful together, and the rest of the cast spent a lot of time learning their instruments — and it shows. I thank whoever decided to release the band’s music on Spotify; I listen to it nonstop.
The Characters
The last thing I want to bring up is the characters. Most of the characters are very similar to the book. I’m glad the show is able to explore the complex relationships between the characters as well as it was done in the book. The tension and drama that arise from their personal and professional lives are captivating, and the show does an excellent job of balancing this with the music. In my opinion, the addition of the Eddie/Camila relationship with the Daisy/Billy situation adds a whole other level of drama and interest to the show that was not in the book.
Conclusion
Overall, Daisy Jones and the Six is a must-watch for fans of the novel and anyone who loves music and drama. It’s a beautifully crafted series that captures the spirit of the book while adding its own unique spin.