My wife and I binged I Know This Much Is True, which ended its six-episode run last night on HBO. Let me say this about the mini-series for starters: If you thought Jude the Obscure was a grim narrative, wait until you see I Know This Much Is True. But do see it.
This is the story of twins, Dominick and Thomas Birdsey. Neither one is well adjusted. They don't know who their father is, and their step-father is harsh and abusive. Thomas, the difficult of the two boys, grows into a schizophrenic as a young man. He's not a danger to others, but he is a serious danger to himself.
Dominick has to deal with this, after understandably not helping things at all when he was a boy. In addition, he suffers a life-crushing experience that has nothing to do with Thomas. This is what I mean about being in Jude the Obscure territory. One soul-piercing experience is more than enough for most tragic dramas. Two, unrelated to each other, is, well, over the top or at least a little hard to take.
And Mark Ruffalo's acting as both brothers is so powerfully effective that you have no problem believing all of this is happening. He deserves an Emmy for best actor. And speaking of Emmys, so does Rosie O'Donnell, as supporting actress playing social worker Lisa Sheffer. O'Donnell brings just the right mix toughness and empathy to this role, and along with Ruffalo she'll bring tears to your eyes, if you have anything close to a beating heart.
So see I Know This Much Is True, expertly written and directed by Derek Cianfrance, based on the 1998 novel of the same name by Wally Lamb, which I haven't read and don't intend to because, well, no offence, but Thomas Hardy's 1895-1895 Jude the Obscure was more than enough.
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