I watched American Woman, the TV series because I binged watched The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and it was mentioned several times, and as a responsible reviewer I had to check it out. Ok, I was just being a busybody.
Written by Kyle Richards (one of the housewives), inspired by her childhood and mostly her mother. However, this was not received well by her two sisters Kim Richards and Kathy Hilton and they weren't in talking terms for several months. It was dropped after the first season, and things got better between the sisters and Kyle felt it was the trade off. Now, you know why I had to watch it to see why it ruffled the sisters' feathers.
American Woman has 11 episodes, each 22 minutes long. Set in the 70s, it centres around Bonnie played by Alicia Silverstone. Bonnie, finds out her husband is having an affair and also in trouble for fraud. She makes the bold move to kick him out of the house even though she has only played the role of the woman married to a rich man and mother to her two daughters.
She has to find work and ends up working in a retail store though she has no experience. She has to deal with her snobby, rich "friends" but the salary isn't enough to cover even her daughters' tuition fees. She struggles to make ends meet while living in the posh part of town, finds a love interest which doesn't sit well with her older daughter and works around having their father still be a part of their lives.
Bonnie's two best friends are supportive while they have their own issues. All issues represent what the 70's were like, though I must say the sentiments haven't changed much.
Issues showcased are a woman's worth opposed to a man's in the workforce, racial prejudices, the stigma around sexual preferences to name a few.
I am not surprised that it did not continue into the second season. There was nothing new and interesting about it, unless of course it is based on true events which Kyle denied vehemently through RHOBH. I also found it slow, trudging along a mishmash of storylines that have been hashed before.
However, you will relive the 70s through this series. From costumes and hairstyles to cigarettes in every other person's hand, it's hard not be transported back to the day - if you were around then...
I give American Woman a 2.5/5.
Thank you for reading, Till next time, Carpe Diem! Sh33la
Images are screen shots from the show and promotional poster
