Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Excellent moody Italian drama has language, sex, smoking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Lying Life of Adults
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Based on Elana Ferrante's book of the same title, THE LYING LIFE OF ADULTS takes place in the 1990s in Naples, Italy. Giovanna (newcomer Giordana Marengo) is in high school, the only child of intellectual parents. She overhears her father saying that she's ugly, like her aunt Vittoria (Valeria Golino, Rain Man). "She's a monster," her mother says of the aunt. Upset by these cruel words, Giovanna insists upon meeting the aunt. Her father agrees to take her to the part of the town where Vittoria lives, a gritty industrial area that he escaped as a student. What Giovanna finds there may be a turning point in her life. Will she be able to close the Pandora's box she's opened?
Is It Any Good?
Grit gets worked into a pearl as this meaningful, visually rich, and well acted series unfolds. In The Lying Life of Adults, Giovanna (laser-focused Giordana Marengo) becomes putty in the hands of her rough-hewn Aunt Vittoria (the outstanding Valeria Golino). Her parents know that introducing Vittoria will affect their adolescent daughter, but the changes in Giovanna are kaleidoscopic and fascinating to watch.
Parents and teens who enjoy a good foray into foreign flicks will like this one the most. It's a thought-provoking binge that illustrates politicized life before computers and cell phones beautifully.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about integrity in The Lying Life of Adults. How does the main character call out the hypocrisy of the adults around her? How can media be used to help cultivate integrity?
Characters in this show have backstories that shape their lives, giving them depth that makes them relatable. Can you think of other shows that inspire empathy and compassion?
Lots of adults -- and teens -- smoke in this series. What do you think about when you see people smoking in shows and movies?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 6, 2023
- Cast : Valeria Golino
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Curiosity , Integrity
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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