It's A Sin - Review : A Heartbreaking Show and one of the Best of 2021.

It's A Sin is a drama series created by Russell T Davies. It stars Olly Alexander, Omari Douglas, Callum Scott Howells, Lydia West, and Nathaniel Curtis in main roles. It has a total of 5 episodes and was released on 18th February 2021 on HBO Max.

 

The story is set in 1981, a group of gay men has moved to London but a mysterious illness starts to spread and it looks like it's attacking only the gays. Ritchie Tozer (Olly Alexander) an aspiring actor, Roscoe Babatunde (Omari Douglas) who ran away from Nigeria as his parents didn't accept him as gay, Colin Morris-Jones (Callum Scott Howells) an apprentice in a tailor shop and befriends Henry (Neil Patrick Harris), then there's Ash Mukherjee (Nathaniel Curtis) and Jill Baxter (Lydia West) who works in a theater, they all live in an apartment in London, enjoying their lives to the fullest and building their career. But what happens when one by one the boys are getting sick? What's the mysterious illness? 

The writer Russell T Davies did a brilliant job in creating such a gut-wrenching yet enjoyable world of friends, it has almost everything, lots of sex, love, friendship, and emotions. It also works to spread awareness about AIDS through the story where it is shown that it is only attacking gays. It is often referred to many names here like a gay disease just to show the mindset of those people that considered being homosexual as a disease. The sad thing is, it is still pertinent even in 2021. How conveniently people tagged AIDS as a gay disease!! 

The characters are lively, driven, focussed and full of joy. They enjoy every moment but the show has controlled writing and often gives a glimpse of the characters falling ill. Sanitizing the cups and tables and clothes, and everything it will remind of you Contagion and you will also relate to that scenes as we are all are stuck in the same situation, fighting with a virus which we still don't know everything about. Seeing these characters stuck with the disease will scare you. You'll get instantly get connected to these characters as they are beautifully written.

Their interactions sometimes provide light moments and we get to know more about them. They are always there for each other. That's what I love about this show. Even if the whole city is falling apart, it is them who are sticking together and that's where it wins your heart. Their dynamics are well set up and look natural. The climax is heart-shattering though. The scene where Jill bashes out on Mrs. Tozer (Keeley Hawes) is simply the best in the series. 'To love themselves for who they really are' is the thing it wants to say. So is it a sin? 

Olly Alexander shines as Ritchie Tozer. His nuanced portrayal of Ritchie and the charm he has throughout the show is so refreshing to see here. Lydia West is also lovely as Jill. She is the one holding the men together and has done a great job. Callum Scott Howells as Colin is exceptional here. Omari Douglas as Roscoe Babatunde, Nathaniel Curtis as Ash Mukherjee, Keeley Hawes as Valerie Tozer, Shaun Dooley as Clive Tozer, and others have given strong support. 

The cinematography by David Katznelson is terrific. It brings a fresh look to the show and the camera work is overall perfect. The production design by Luana Hanson is great and the music by Murray Gold is easily one of the best things in this show. The editing by Sarah Brewerton is sharp. 

It's A Sin is a brilliant show and everyone should watch it. We invest a lot of time seeing the main characters enjoying and bonding but seeing them dying of AIDS is devastating. It's a perfect coming-of-age drama we need now, but with a twist of an outbreak of a disease, that's what makes it unique. It has a balanced narration that perfectly shows these characters and their friendships and also the dark side of the world and never fails in any of it. Showing such strong gay characters, it teaches you the real meaning of self-acceptance and to be the real you. An enjoyable show with a combo of drama and comedy and this is what the world needs now. Easily one of the best shows of 2021!!!

Rating:- 4/5

Now streaming on HBO Max and Channel 4.

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