User reviews

Physical is a show about a subject matter that I'm not really interested in. It's something I never expected to like. But because of Rose Byrne and a friend's recommendation, I gave it a shot. And I was not disappointed.

It's an interesting show that does an amazing job of demonstrating different things like bulimia, low self-esteem, and domestic slavery, among others. I was familiar with most of it, but this show made me really understand and empathize.

It has a good story with great characters. They're all flawed but you still care about them. It's regularly amusing with some hilarious moments. And there are numerous standout performances.

But the one who shines the most is lead actress Rose Byrne. She was already my favorite actress before this. She's amazingly talented, but that's not what separates her. There are other actresses with her level of talent. For me, it's her choices in movies/shows. She's in a whopping 15 movies/shows that I've rated 7 stars or higher. I just looked up Bale, DiCaprio and Hardy, they each have less than 10.

Seasonal ratings: 7, 7, 6.5

(1 viewing, 2/9/2024)

With the first 3 episodes, I'm getting a good feel of the early 80's. But, I have yet to see a major shift in the storyline. I'm just here for Rose Byrne.

I'm hooked. Watched the first three episodes and I'm amazed at how authentic the 1980s are depicted. Someone did their homework. Rose Byrne really rocks her character. I'm sure I still have my original Jane Fonda Workout VHS tapes in a box somewhere. Two more days until Friday and Episode #4. Looking forward to it!

I wasn't sure what to think of this show going into it. I like Rose Byrne and haven't seen her in anything I didn't like and Apple TV has such good shows that I thought I'd give it a try. Boy am I glad I did! This show is funny and irreverent and I love how you see into the mind of a woman with bulimia, and how she'd say one thing to her husband and friends and whatnot, but really be thinking something else entirely. It made for a one of the most fleshed-out characters I've seen in years.

However, where she was fleshed out, I felt like most of the other characters were one note, and that's where this show falls a little flat, taking this from a 10 to 7 1/2 rating. Especially when it comes to the "evil Mormons" in this. I grew up Mormon. Did I ever believe it? No. So I'm not one of those people who is just mad that they bad-mouthed my religion since it's not my religion and hasn't been since I was old enough to think for myself. However, the way that they show the Mormons in this is 100% wrong. If you're going to show a religion, at least make it a true vision of them. For one, in one of the first scenes with the Mormon family, they show them praying at the food court. Yes, it's true a lot of Mormons would do that (my own VERY Mormon brother does), but the way they were folding their arms was like they were freaking vampires rather than humans. I'm sorry but Mormons don't hold their arms that way (with the hand open on the opposite bicep). They hold it with the hands fisted under the opposite bicep. One looks cooky and crazy and vampire-like and the other distinguished and normal.

And honestly, everything they showed about the Mormons in this followed this. Like I'm sorry, but Mormons don't say "our blessed family" and our women don't act like slaves to their husbands. There were at least 15 more of these very wrong and inaccurate situations (or things that the Mormons say) that could have been done correctly if they'd taken even 5 seconds to actually research Mormons. If they DID do research, it was from people who just hate Mormons and don't actually know any true facts about them, but just the stupid "facts" people say (I once was literally asked if I have scales on my legs like a fish and horns hidden under my hair and if we really do satanic worship/sacrifices under our trampolines...yes, these weren't jokes but things people actually thought! And it's because of shows like this). They even make the Mormon lines stilted (which the actors really play into, obviously also hating Mormons and just doing the part to show that hatred rather than actually trying to be and empathize with their characters) and written weird, like a totally other language, which isn't how Mormons even talk. Mormons talk like normal people and don't use the words the writers seem to think they do.

On the other hand, notice the liberal people in this. Even though the husband is treating his wife just as bad as the Mormon is in this, he's the hero and the Mormons are the bad guys. Then the Mormon guy goes to his bishop and that whole scene, everything that was said and assumed there isn't true and isn't how those bishop meetings even go, nor did they ever. At the end, the Mormon guy has an affair. I'm not saying Mormons don't have affairs. I've known some that did, since they're just as human as anyone else. But it's just the fact that when the main character's husband wants to have a threesome it's played out as fine and dandy but when the Mormon guy has bad thoughts, it's seedy and whatnot and like this guy is a terrible person for it. There are completely different rules for each and shown in different lights, even though both are doing the same thing. It's very obviously anti-Mormon propaganda and that's messed up.

I really hope that for season 2, the writers and actors can actually flesh out all of the secondary characters and actually learn TRUE things about Mormons, maybe hire a Mormon to say what is real (nothing) and isn't real (everything) in the script. And then shed the same light over both families and sets of characters. I guess they thought no Mormons would watch a show with cussing and sex and whatnot but, again, that's a complete misconception that just a little research would show you it's frowned upon but not forbidden and plenty of Mormons who go to the temple also watch R rated movies and tv shows. So please stop assuming so wrongly and then showing your false assumptions as "fact" because that makes the rest of the show and it's reality as false as well.

I enjoy that not a single character is a role model, not even likable. We get to see the inner and outer demons of women and men through the dark and ruthless mind of someone struggling with self love and respect.

Great combination of a witty script and good performances, specially Rose Byrne.

UPDATE: After the 6th episode it gets repetitive and tedious as you already know the "final outcome" based on the first episode. They should have sticked to 5 or 6 episodes.

Rose Byrene is very talented, i follow her projects since Damages which was a perfect series. I actually started to watch this series for her. She is not just acting, more like living her role. Want to see her much after all.

I'm a fan of Rose Byrne, this dark and intelligent comedy plays into her acting strengths, but first, I've got to talk about her hair! That's 80's mood right there, love it! Byrne's range of emotions as she takes us through the complexity of Sheila is brilliant, how even though she's often smiling, her eyes and inner monologue are telling a different story.

This show brings out some serious themes of obsession with perfection and standards of beauty in a time where women had barely any freedom to talk back and be themselves in every way, being always a filler in a man's story.

Although this series shines whenever Byrne is on screen, it focuses a bit too much on the husband at times and those are its weakest parts. The main character's inner monologue is also a bit too much in the first couple of episodes, but it gets more tolerable and funny as the plot advances.

Overall I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of this story will play out and enjoying what I've seen so far.

A marvelous, refreshing series with "dazzling" acting and enthralling soundtrack and score; The amount of depth, logic and flow is not stellar but it compensates within its acting section, especially (very) good is Rose Byrne who acts with ease, natural and whose emotionally intense facial expressions are gold.

Loved it in the span of 2 seasons and can't wait for the third to come out with hopefully more legging, music and drama.

• Screenplay/storyline/plots: 7
• Development: 7.5
• Realism: 7.5
• Entertainment: 7
• Acting: 7
• Filming/photography/cinematography: 7
• Visual/special effects: 6.5
• Music/score/sounds: 7.5
• Depth: 6.5
• Logic: 5.5
• Flow: 7
• Editing: 7
• Comedy/drama: 6.5
• Ending: 6.

Rose. Byrne is a hottie that does very well in the comedic setups and also with the dealing with bulimia and mental issues. The series in usually reasonably funny and refers to the fast growth of female exercise shows and selling the video tapes. It is very 'a 'la Jane Fonda and the excersice craze she did so well with. My favorite part is the music tracks they use that are set right from the late 70's to the early mid 80's. I used to make all our party tapes at the fraternity I was in from 1979-1984 so I lived with those songs. Occasionally, I hear a track I really like and search it out and end up getting it. The story is fun, entertaining, we acted and generally keeps us watching until to series is done. Three seasons I guess will be enough for this one so I will just wait and see what Apple comes out with to replace it. I am really looking forward to 'Masters of the Air' that should fall in line with 'Band of Brothers', and 'The Pacific' WWII series. I hope they continue with some light, fun and funny comedy series that wifey can deal with and sit and watch with me. I am a Sci-Fi freak and do enjoy the thrillers and battle films.

The first and second season are pretty good. The third season, however, is a bit uncomfortable to watch, especially when it deals with the eating disorder. Although it is very well documented and does not make fun of it at all. In any case, it is seen how as the season progresses they run out of ideas and the ending can be expected to be very fast-paced and with a fairly obvious lack of plot. The acting is masterful, not only from the protagonist, but from practically the entire cast. At times the plots confuse the viewer, because they do not know if they are living a real moment, a flashback or at what moment the action is taking place. One of the best things about the series is its soundtrack, it is literally wonderful with great hits from the 80s that make you remember those good times. In any case, it is a series that I have loved to watch, giving me a vision from another perspective, especially of the eating disorder.

The premise of the show is decent. It's about a woman who's finding herself through aerobics. She's dealing with home life and an eating disorder to find a release through her workouts. However, I hate the misconceptions they make about Mormons. Some of the things they say, do, and act are not accurate at all. For example, one misconception that was stated was that Mormons don't believe in contraception, which is false. They also make the Mormons seem stiff and rigid which is untrue as well. It makes it seem like the creators and writers are not doing their research and just attacking Mormons. It would've been better if they didn't attach a specific religion to the show. If they didn't make mock Mormons, i would've given it a higher rating.

There are many vicious laughs to be had, especially from the mouth of the lead character. Rose Byrne plays that character with aplomb. The writing is mostly top notch, and often hilarious, but after a few episodes I began to feel a little uncomfortable under the laughs.

Writer Annie Weisman takes few prisoners, using Byrne's voice overs to laugh at and demean others; her victims most often include environmentalists, liberals, Asians, men, hippies and well, anyone outside her world.