The new Peacock series, "The Five Star Weekend," brings together an ensemble cast including Jennifer Garner, Regina Hall, Chloë Sevigny, D'Arcy Carden, and Gemma Chan in an adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand's novel. The show centers on Hollis Shaw, a food blogger and recent widow, who invites friends from various stages of her life to her Nantucket home for a girls' weekend.
Hollis, portrayed by Garner, is still navigating the grief of losing her husband, Matthew, six months prior. Her struggle is evident, even leading to public displays of emotion during a television appearance. Her agent suggests a weekend with friends from different phases of her life as a way to cope.
The invited friends each bring their own challenges. Dru-Ann Jones (Hall), a soccer agent, has recently faced social media backlash. Tatum McKenzie (Sevigny) is awaiting biopsy results for a suspicious lump. Brooke Kirtley (Carden), a "mom friend," exhibits nervous energy and harbors secrets. Gigi Ling (Chan), an airline pilot and online acquaintance of Hollis, joins the group, though her invitation raises questions among the others.
The series, created by Bekah Brunstetter, explores the dynamics and secrets shared among these women. While the initial interactions are described as friendly, underlying tensions and unspoken issues begin to surface. The narrative aims to balance the characters' individual struggles with their collective experiences.
Critics note that while the premise of bringing together friends from different life phases holds intrigue, the execution in this limited series format may struggle to maintain viewer interest due to a lack of significant edge. The show leans towards a feel-good approach, which some find may become monotonous despite the strong cast. The depth of Hollis's grief is compounded by the revelation that her marriage to Matthew was not entirely stable at the time of his death, a secret she confides in Gigi, who appears to have a connection to this marital unrest.
Sevigny's portrayal of Tatum is highlighted for its emotional complexity, stemming not only from her health concerns but also from the drift in her childhood friendship with Hollis. Other supporting characters include Judy Greer as Electra, a Nantucket acquaintance and potential rival to Brooke; Rob Huebel as Charlie, Brooke's husband; and David Denman as Kyle, Tatum's husband.
Despite reservations about the series' pacing and lack of sharp conflict, the review suggests "Stream It," acknowledging the appeal of the cast's chemistry and the underlying themes of friendship and healing amidst personal crises.