GOOD AMERICAN FAMILY

Good American Family is not only great television thanks to its talented cast led by Ellen Pompeo, Mark Duplass and an excellent screen debut from Imogen Faith Reid, but it's insightful writing that grapples with changing narrative perspectives, difficult themes and exploration of them, and a truly revolting and shocking real life story makes for compelling television in every aspect.

Since 2005, Ellen Pompeo has been Dr. Meredith Grey to millions of viewers around the world on the hit ABC medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, and it appears that the show will never end as it is now on its twenty-first season. But, Pompeo shocked fans back in 2022 when she announced she would be scaling back her appearances as Meredith Grey to give herself the ability to star in other projects, with her first being Good American Family. The story of Natalia Grace Barnett shocked America when her adoptive parents were criminally charged with abandoning her at the age of 8 to live on her own, which is the focus of the latest Disney+ series after being the focus of the Investigation Discovery docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace. What unfolds is a truly shocking story that shines the spotlight on a young disabled girl who is grossly taken advantage of based on the accusations and perspective of the individuals involved, bolstered by the spectacular performances of Pompeo and Imogen Faith Reid as Natalia Grace, resulting in one impactful miniseries event.

While one of the individuals in the show makes a jokingly comparison to what Kristine Barnett is claiming is happening to her family after they adopted Natalia Grace to the 2009 horror film Orphan, and it’s a thought that undoubtedly cross viewers’ minds at the start of the miniseries if they aren’t familiar with the true story, but that statement couldn’t be farther from the truth. Telling the story from the varying perspectives of Kristine, Michael and Natalia Grace, the miniseries dissects what actually happened in the Barnett household. The narrative that unfolds in Good American Family is tragic, heartbreaking and disturbing as to what was actually allowed to unfold, and the writers really set the audience up to be rattled to their core, that will no doubt have them questioning their faith in humanity and the justice system, with how they shift the narrative perspective from which the viewers experience the story from. It starts with the recounting of events by Kristine and Michael in the first four episodes, before shifting into the perspective of Natalia Grace in the fifth and sixth episode, and finally shifting to the legal battle and media circus that first brought notoriety to this story. By doing so, each perspective is fully fleshed out, allowing each individual to be displayed with all their strengths and flaws, leaving the decision with the audience to determine not only who is the true victim, but who is really the monster within this story.

Dealing with themes of child abuse, the cyclical nature of abuse within generations of families, stories we tell ourselves and the world, and the sometimes flawed confines of the legal system, creator Katie Robbins and her team of writers handle each subject matter with the delicacy and respect that they deserve. Each episode starts with a disclaimer detailing that what follows is a dramatization of the real life events and whose perspectives the episode is derived from, giving grace to those real individuals involved. While the screenplay does not shy away from the abuse, it is carefully selected as to when the physical abuse is shown on screen, saving it to tie in with a more impactful emotional moment to really drive home the view that the series is taking on the story of Natalia Grace, while never shying away from the emotional and psychological abuse. Even with the view it takes on Natalia Grace and making an impression as to what individuals are in the wrong, the writing is careful never to villainize anyone, but to instead provide explanation as to how life made them the individuals that could commit such actions. It’s never an excuse, as there is no way that the behaviour that occurred can ever be excused, but it leads to a bigger conversation about how individuals are shaped by the environments that they are raised in and by those they associate with.

Matching the quality set by the storytelling of Robbins and her writing team is the impressive lead cast of the miniseries. Pompeo shines in her first role after announcing her departure from Grey’s Anatomy, bringing to life a complicated individual with a grace for her beliefs but with a wickedness that displays Kristine Barnett’s true nature. Capturing the caring mother who would do anything for her children, Pompeo makes the audience feel for Kristine in the first half of the miniseries, before the tables turn on Kristine with the shift in narrative perspective. At this point, the more subtle tendencies that Pompeo portrayed in Kristine become more alarming, as this woman hell bent on perpetuating her story despite the overwhelming evidence against her, leading to that chilling line about everyone wanting a good American family in the trailer a moment that will no doubt makes viewers’ skin crawl. Mark Duplass is great as Michael Barnett, showcasing the conflict between the father who has always wanted a daughter to love and protect and the subservient nature to his wife. His performance begs the question of who is more at blame for what happened to Natalia Grace: the parent who performed the actions, or the one who stood by silently knowing what was happening and became implicit in their coverup? Dulé Hill and Sarayu Blue are solid in their supporting roles of Brandon Drysdale and Val respectively, while Christina Hendricks makes a lasting impression as Cynthia Mans when she makes her debut in the sixth episode with her warmth, care and genuine love (despite what evidence has come out against the real life Mans since this miniseries was shot).

Though, the standout performance of the miniseries rightfully belongs to Imogen Faith Reid as Natalia Grace, and rightfully so. Reid captures the childlike energy and curiosity of Natalia Grace with an ease, while creating two different personas of Natalia Grace depending on whose viewpoint we are viewing the events through. From the perspective of the Barnetts, Reid captures the perceived terror that Kristine claimed to have experienced with a mysterious aurora amplified by her alarming facial expressions and innocence as she is able to twist a conversation in her favour. But when told from Natalie Grace, a very different interpretation surfaces. It is one full of heartbreak, fear and innocence as we see Natalia Grace abandoned and left to fend for herself as a small child, just looking to be loved, accepted and cared for. It’s a harrowing and vulnerable performance from Reid, that as the back half of the miniseries progresses, transforms into one of compassion, understanding and a heightened maturity as Natalia Grace looks back on her life and moves forward with strength and knowledge. It’s all the more impressive with this being Reid’s acting debut, whose only previous film credits include stand in and double work, giving us the first truly breakout performance of the year.

Even with the miniseries being an emotionally taxing watch as viewers are forced to grapple with the shocking story that rattled the United States when made public due to the despicable and abusive behaviour of individuals involved, Good American Family is nothing short of enticing and well crafted television. With the juxtaposition of differing perspectives of the individuals involved creating a compelling way in which the real life events unfold that will have audiences eagerly awaiting the next episode every week, it is the compassion in the miniseries’ writing that captures the individuals as humans with all their flaws and strengths, and not as the tabloid personas the writing could have easily fallen into the trap of. Led by the ever excellent Ellen Pompeo and newcomer Imogen Faith Reid in one brilliant screen debut, Good American Family is a harrowing depiction of life of Natalia Grace Barnett that will shock viewers as the wild true story is re-enacted on screen, leading to nothing short of an emotionally powerful conclusion that makes for a great television miniseries event