Is It Worth the Watch?

I binged all five episodes of the dramatic-bio series Halston in one sitting, which, I guess, should tell you I liked it enough to keep pushing forward. And I certainly did.

The Netflix miniseries, exploring the famed fashion designer’s struggles with fame, celebrity, closeted homosexuality, and HIV/AIDS, is pretty restrained for Ryan Murphy, since the producer has a penchant for a “throw everything at the wall and see what sticks” production style. Halston packs only a few really over-the-top moments, and those usually come off as surprising and entertaining rather than eye-rolling. 

Ewan McGregor is charismatic, charming and heart-breaking as the self distructive designer, with equally fine performances from Krysta Rodriguez as Liza, Gian Franco Rodriguez as Halston’s lover Victor Hugo, and Bill Pullman as the combative business manager of Halston’s faltering empire.

Although continually engaging and often engrossing, this subject did not require a miniseries with five 50 minute episodes. A two hour movie could have easily told this story. I enjoyed watching it, but a tighter, more compact edit would have made it as sensational as one of Halston’s designs.

Is It Worth The Watch? This  well-produced and directed miniseries is extraordinarily satisfying, if a little too self introspective. And very bloated.

2021

Episodes – 5

Starring – Ewan McGregor, Krysta Rodriguez, Bill Pullman, Rory Culkin, Gian Franco Rodríguez, Rebecca Dayan, David Pittu

Director – Daniel Minahan

Creator – Sharr White

Screenplay – Ryan Murphy, Sharr White, Ian Brennan, Tim Pinckney, Kristina Woo, Ted Malawer

Source – Simply Halston by Steven Gaines