Cashmere Mafia – The Complete Series (Sony DVD)
Picture:
C+ Sound: B- Extras: C Episodes: C
Among the
many TV series that tried to be about a wealthier, upscale white collar working
class environment with an all-women cast, Cashmere
Mafia had many things going for it, including Sex & The City creator Darren Star and a cast that included
Lucy Liu, Frances O’Connor, Miranda Otto and Bonnie Somerville, yet it only
lasted 7 episodes. Why? Was it competition, lack of promotion, limits
of network TV censorship or just a glut of such shows?
Well, the
glut is one of the points, but even in that, the show simply cannot distinguish
itself from so many similar shows since the late Aaron Spelling created an
unrecognized sense of yuppie mall chic in hits like the first 90210 and Melrose Place. Sure, the
ladies can act, but the scripts were weak and there was a sense of chemistry
the show needed that just never resolved itself between the leads. Too bad, because this could have really
worked, but someone needs to tell Star the 1980s and 1990s are over. Now he can reflect on why this failed.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 is soft with some motion blur and color that
can seem limited at times. The Dolby
Digital 5.1 mix is better than expected, with good surrounds and a solid
soundfield. Extras include four making
of featurettes you’ll enjoy if you like the show.
- Nicholas Sheffo
