Love is probably the only thing that has zilch boundaries. Cinema has the ability to transport the diversity of romance to the masses. I know a few people who started recognizing LGBTQ relationships after watching relevant films and web shows.
Nowadays, almost every second series has at least one homosexual character, which is a positive advance in normalizing things. The last show I saw that was entirely based on the premise of LGBTQ relationships was Heartstopper (Netflix).
Well, Amazon Prime Video has come with a new teen romance drama, Prisma, that aims to highlight the importance of acceptance. Though it isn’t entirely based on same-sex romance, Prisma carries a decent amount of the subject.
The series originates from Italy and comes with eight episodes, having a combined duration of just over six hours. Each episode is named after the colors of the rainbow, barring white (technically). Considering you will be spending that much of your time watching the show, why not read my Prisma review to ease your decision-making process?
Prisma Review Summary
Having plentiful heartwarming moments, Prisma puts up a good show. However, it slips a bit while concluding the tale.
Keep reading my review to learn more about the series’ several aspects.
Prisma Synopsis
Revolving around a teenage pair of twin brothers, Prisma explores their cryptic personalities. While one wants to be free, the other fears revealing his true identity to the world. From friendships to heartbreaks, the Amazon Prime Original promises to uncover all the aspects of teen life.
Directed by Ludovico Bessegato, Prisma stars Mattia Carrano (Andrea and Marco), Lorenzo Zurzolo (Daniele), Caterina Forza (Nina), and Chiara Bordi (Carola) in lead roles.
What Works for Prisma?
Storyline and Cinematography
If I leave the hiccups of the final hour, Prisma primarily has a layered storyline, enough to keep you glued. The series never feels dreary, and you are served with well-built characters and plots. It makes you question the societal limitations on gender behavior and stretches the length of personal freedom.
Also, I cannot stop myself from admiring the camera work of Prisma. It is never easy to ace double roles. Doing it with precision is another struggle. The shooting angles, cutting of the frames, shoulder shots, objectified focuses, etc., are delicately handled by the respective departments.
But the highlight for me was the intact depiction of Mattia Carrano’s double role.
Screenplay
Prisma would have restricted itself to a mediocre series had the screenplay not been diligent. The makers give you several moments to adore, thanks to a heightened screenplay. Additionally, the switch between different timelines was well executed.
Music
When I say music, I mean the vibes that Prisma generates. It religiously follows the theme of teenage drama. From the background score to numerous melodies that play throughout the show’s runtime, Prisma drapes you in the excitement and mistakes of those golden days.
Writing
Honestly, it is tricky to wholly adjudge Prisma’s writing a winner. The show has elastic writing that does stray at times. But, overall, I found it dainty, thanks to the proper character developments, interlinking of the tale, and emotional infusions. Also, I quite liked how Prisma twisted the internal psyche of some individuals.
Performances
Mattia Carrano plays a double role in Prisma. It means he portrays two different personalities simultaneously. Most of us would watch him act in the show and think he has done a good job. However, Carrano deserves more for his versatile and firm outing in Prisma.
As Andrea, he carries a subtle arrogance from the outset, but on a deeper understanding, you would feel he is the most fragile individual in the entire series. On the other hand, as Marco, the actor braces you with a calm and composed demeanor. Both presentations are facilitated by distinct expressions and intricate comportments.
Additionally, the makers have tried their best to distinguish the two characters using facial marks like cuts and wounds.
Lorenzo Zurzolo plays Daniele in Prisma. At first glance, you might see him as a rich brat who cares for no one. However, Lorenzo spins his acting prowess to keep you hanging. His conviction to stand with resolution is probably the best part of Zurzolo’s act.
Caterina Forza is a natural actor. She portrays Nina and turns out to be the most likable character of Prisma. Her screen presence is charming, and Forza allows you to admire her countenance. I think her act relies more on improvisations than scripted scenes.
Chiara Bordi as Carola gleams in Prisma. Her infectious smile, combined with artistry, can make your day. Whenever she is on the screen, Bordi takes charge, regardless of whether the scene is strong or not.
Everyone else in Prisma pitches their performance to perfection, and the unit manages to pack this part in a compact manner.
What Doesn’t Work for Prisma?
Dubbing Issues
There are some technical issues in the seventh episode of Prisma. You will notice a transmission gap in both the voices and subtitles. I tried switching from English to Deutsch, but the problem remained unresolved.
Eventually, I had to watch the whole seventh episode with a technical flaw. It hindered the watching experience and made me doubt the team of Amazon. Even if they rectify it now, four days have already passed since the release of Prisma.
Shabby Ending
They say it is easy to initiate magnificence but hard to sustain it. The same happens with Prisma. Its initial plot development is stainless, and I had nothing to point out. Even till the sixth episode, the show had the fuel. In fact, Prisma creates a decent amount of buildup that should have peaked in the end.
However, a lack of care in the last two hours took the series down. I felt that the creators of the show were aimlessly searching to join the dots. Instead, they should have gone with the flow.
Final Word
More or less, Prisma is worthy of your time. It does fall in the end, but the vibes created by the makers cannot be denied an opportunity. Those who liked Heartstopper should add Prisma to their watchlist.
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