 |
DEBORAH PRUMAuthor: DEBORAH PRUM
Welcome to First Kiss and Other Cautionary Tales, a podcast where you can listen to observations on the quirkiness of life, hear short fiction read by a short person, and listen to book and movie reviews. Language: en-us Genres: Comedy Fiction, Fiction, TV & Film, TV Reviews Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
PODCAST-STERLING POINT-TV SERIES
Wednesday, 12 August, 2026
PODCAST-STERLING POINT-TV SERIES If you watch a trailer for the eight-episode series, Sterling Park, you might be tempted to dismiss it as a Disney-like teen show, but you would be wrong. Yes, there are a few “Disney” moments but on the whole director, Megan Park, delivers a tale well told, addressing important issues with nuance and wisdom. Fraternal twins Annie (Ella Rubin) and Connor (Keen Ruffalo—yes, son of Mark Ruffalo) inherit an island in Canada from a maternal grandfather they’ve never met. They’ve been raised in New York City by Steven, their adoptive father, played by Jay Duplass, Their mother died when they were very young. Seventeen-year-old Annie, (who looks like a cross between Ann Hathaway and Julia Roberts) discovers a letter from her grandfather that gives her ambiguous instructions. Without telling her father, Annie flies to Cananda then hires a private plane to get to the multimillion dollar island she’s inherited. The pilot of the small plane is a teenager named Ellis (Jacob Whiteduck). The instant sizzle to their interactions does gives off a Disney vibe, but no worries, their relationship proceeds in a way that made me feel there is hope for the next generation. This is not to say that the Ellis-Annie relationship is lacking in conflict and uncertainty. The presence of Rory (Daniel Quinn-Toye) provides plenty of drama. He is an ultra-wealthy former classmate of Annie’s from NYC who falls for her immediately when he sees her on the island. He’s not your typical chucklehead rich boy; he’s kind, generous, tender, and asks all the right questions. So, the love triangle is nuanced. The Ellis and Rory characters are not stereotypes. The screen writers go to great pains to develop robust back stories for both guys. Connor, Annie’s twin brother, provides comedic relief throughout the series. Pay special attention to the scene where Connor and Rory help each other stretch their hamstrings after they play some sort of racket sport. It had me laughing out loud. Some of the best acting is done by Ramona and Oona. Ramona’s mother is dead. She has been raised by her grandfather, a grandfather she just happens to share with Annie and Connor, siblings she does not know exist. Oona’s mother seems to have abandoned her and her twelve-year-old sister, Maple, whom Oona is raising. Oona and Ramona clearly are in love. At the same time, the two young women clearly have absent mother issues, which they both acknowledge. Their relationship is passionate, tumultuous, and angst filled. The behavior of these teens does not always reflect best judgment. That being said, all of seven of the main characters, ranging from twelve to eighteen, are pretty darn smart, with the twelve-year-old, Maple, being the wisest of them all. At least five of them read fancy-schmancy books, one is a concert pianist, and Connor, who portrays himself as a party boy is a closet genius. Well, maybe not genius, but very bright. The three adults in the film fall into the murky territory of not really bad guys, but also not parents their collective offspring would like to emulate. Two of the fathers regret the questionable choices they made in the past, and one woman (Rory’s mother) is a person who regrettably doesn’t not regret any of her actions. The setting, the Muskoka Lakes region of Canada is gorgeous. If I had access to a private jet, I’d zip off there in a heartbeat. The soundtrack blew me away. When I heard a clip from Joan Osborne’s song, What if God is One of Us, I knew I was in for a treat. The songs are a mix of mainstream, indie, and folk music, with performers like Teddy Swims, the Head and the Heart, and Liza Minnelli. The cinematography and the soundtrack alone make the series worth watching. Are there plot points that defy credulity? Yes, of course, I could name several but nothing egregious. There was a twist I did not anticipate that possibly wasn’t quite believable, but I liked it anyway. The end was satisfying in that wrapped up most of the major plot points and included two cliff-hangers that left room for an intriguing second season. Sterling Point is an entertaining and thought-provoking series. I recommend it so long as you are not squeamish about occasional scenes of teens making questionable choices. ### Interested in other TV series? Please check out my reviews of: FIRE BUG TASK WIDOW’S BAY 0:00 / 0:00 Sterling Point (Photo by Jen Fariello)Deborah Prum’s fiction has appeared in The Virginia Quarterly Review, Across the Margin, Streetlight and other outlets. Her essays air on NPR member stations and have appeared in The Washington Post, Ladies Home Journal and Southern Living, as well as many other places. Check out her WEBSITE. Check out her DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING SERVICES. Check out her PAINTINGS. APPLE PODCAST SPOTIFY PODCAST
