SummaryThe Ryan Murphy limited series based on Steven Gaines's book Simply Halston tells how American fashion designer Halston (Ewan McGregor) built a fashion empire in the 1970s only to lose control of it in the 1980s.
SummaryThe Ryan Murphy limited series based on Steven Gaines's book Simply Halston tells how American fashion designer Halston (Ewan McGregor) built a fashion empire in the 1970s only to lose control of it in the 1980s.
Watching McGregor spew this exquisite venom like a deranged rattlesnake is entertaining enough, and he gets great support from the rest of the cast—particularly the amazing Krysta Rodriguez (Smash), who captures the manic energy of early Halston advocate Liza Minnelli as if she were born into it. But most of the credit has to producer Murphy, who has an unparalleled ability to carve compelling narratives out of tangled, throbbing messes of characters and subplots.
One can’t help wondering whether a mini series about his relationship with Liza Minnelli (who refused to talk ill of her friend in the 2019 documentary and clearly loved him as much – or more – than any of her husbands) would have been a far more moving and emotional TV drama than this fun but forgettable Halston turns out to be.
Very well done and excellent acting. First I had ever heard of David Pittu, who disappeared into the role. Born in 1975 I don’t remember having even heard the name.
The show is trashy fun, but it could have been so much more. White and Murphy could have gone deeper into Halston’s psyche, but all we get are a couple of brief flashbacks to his unhappy childhood.
High on glamour and low on insight, we're treated to eyefuls of elegance, McGregor's prosaic impression of Halston's silken fussiness and enough powder to make Donatella Versace dream of skiing. But whatever poetry made Halston who he is remains left undiscovered and unspoken.
Over five episodes, the series is littered with incidents that seem like they could be focal events if only Halston had focus, or structuring devices if only the show had structure.
After five episodes, nothing in the series shimmers. Any attempt to rehabilitate or revive the mononymous fashion artist’s name via the passionless dramatic info dump about Halton’s highs and (frankly) mostly lows is left in tatters.
This miniseries about the revolutionary fashion designer covers the highlights of his life and career. His unique story is beautifully brought to life by Ewan McGregor’s exceptional creation. The character wouldn’t be remotely likeable if it weren’t for McGregor’s ability to capture the designer’s haughty style and notable flaws with aplomb and gravity. Other strong performances come from Krysta Rodriguez as close friend Liza Minnelli and Gian Franco Rodriguez as his lover Victor Hugo. Interestingly, before Joel Schumacher became a famous film director, he spent his early career with Halston (played with depth by Rory Culkin). Since Ryan Murphy heads the writer/producer team, we’re rewarded with fabulous visuals, scandalous excess and emotional hardship. It’s also fun to look back at the glory days of Studio 54 and the New York scene from the period. The series certainly revels in the sensational aspects of Halston’s trajectory, and even if the personal aspects are less developed, McGregor’s performance is the series’ strongest asset. (Five one-hour episodes)
Not great as it could have been but good. Ryan Murphy finally comes up with something worth watching. A missed opportunity, if you can't make Halston fabulous what can you do?
At this point I will continue to say that Ryan Murphy scammed Netflix with his millionaire contract.
Everything that he has produced for them has been nothing more than his style covering his extensive narrative deficiencies.
Here I understand that he was only an executive producer, but whoever was in control of the production, left Ewan McGregor helpless, so that he would do his best to rescue a story that they never manage to bring to life.
And I say this, because he did his job, but that wasn't enough to make this better.