Adoptive Mom Accused of Adopting Adult Imposter

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The captivating yet at times exasperating and melodramatic show, known as “Good American Family“, is hard to tear yourself away from on television. Similar to its mini-series counterparts like “The Act, Coming of Age, and Monsters: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menendez, “, the Hulu series depicts an apparently innocent child or family that may not be as they seem. Whether they truly are or not, the suspense escalates to such a level that you feel compelled to intervene in the lives of the characters you’re watching on screen.

This story promises to be thrilling with Ellen Pompeo (from Grey’s Anatomy), Mark Duplass (known for Creep and The League), and Imogen Faith Reid as the main characters. Co-creator/executive producer Katie Robbins (who has worked on Sunny and The Affair) and executive producer Sarah Sutherland share showrunning duties in a narrative that explores various viewpoints, similar to the enigmatic real-life events of Natalia Grace Barnett, a Ukrainian orphan who was suddenly in the limelight when her adoptive parents claimed she was not a child, but an adult. This situation served as the basis for the more chilling project, Orphan.

The narrative is an extraordinary, unusual tale worth sharing. In 2010, Natalia, who has a unique type of dwarfism, was taken in by the Barnett family from Indiana – Kristine Elizabeth Barnett (portrayed by Pompeo) and Michael Barnett (Duplass), who were already parents to three sons. The couple’s marriage was under strain following a failed adoption attempt prior to this. When Natalia joined their family, the Barnetts initially thought she was seven years old, although the adoption process seemed questionable. As time went on, Kristine started to grow suspicious of Natalia, perhaps due to her unusual behavior such as holding a knife in a way that resembled a madman.

Somebody Needs a Hug

At the start of each episode, a title card alerts viewers that Good American Family presents several accusations made by different individuals, including court proceedings. It aims to depict multiple contrasting perspectives, similar to a true crime adaptation of Rashomon. The initial portion of the series focuses on events as claimed by the Barnetts. By Episode 5, it’s Natalia Grace’s turn to share her side of the story. By this point, viewers might have already formed their opinions about the child, given her tantrums, destructive actions, and manipulative behavior which may not endear her to the audience. However, it’s possible that Natalia isn’t actually like that.

1. In this show, the clever plot twist enables us to form our own opinions about the storyline. The majority of episodes start from 2019, then jump back to 2010 to depict where everything started and progresses afterwards. The Barnett family is a typical middle-class household. Michael, the father, holds a job at a now defunct electronics store called Circuit City. Kristine, the mother, aspires to grow professionally as a child expert while also founding an autism foundation in honor of their autistic son, Jacob (Aias Dalman).

Here’s another one:

2. The series’ unique storytelling style encourages viewers to make independent judgments regarding the plot. Many episodes open in 2019 before jumping back to 2010 and following events both before and after that point. The Barnetts are an ordinary middle-class family, with Michael, the father, employed at a Circuit City store (a place many may remember). Kristine, the mother, seeks to advance her career as a child expert while also establishing an autism foundation in recognition of their son, Jacob (Aias Dalman), who has autism.

Upon an unexpected chance to welcome Natalia into their family, the couple consents, but within merely a few days of her arrival, Natalia’s outbursts – as perceived by the Barnetts – cause concern. Michael seems to bond well with Natalia, while Kristine, on the contrary, is facing difficulties… such as waking up to find the girl standing near her bed, holding a knife and a stuffed toy she apparently plans to dissect.

The unexpected twist in this narrative unfolds as a puzzle regarding Natalia’s age and history arises. One day, Kristine unexpectedly enters the bathroom, startling Natalia who was there before her. Intriguingly, beyond the door, Kristine voices her concern to Michael, “She has pubic hair – I don’t think she’s a child.” As the plot thickens, Kristine grows protective of the family against what they now perceive as a potential danger from their daughter. However, brace yourselves, for this bizarre yarn is far from over.

Who the Hell Did They Adopt?

As a film enthusiast, I must say it’s quite rewarding to witness a series unfold from various viewpoints. What takes me by surprise is the showrunners’ decision to withhold information beyond the Barnetts’ accusations initially. It would have been straightforward to switch perspectives every other episode, but the wait is worth it when we finally delve into Natalia’s story. From that point on, it becomes a captivating mystery as to what truly transpired. Yet, if you pay close attention, there might just be a thread of truth running throughout the narrative.

Transitioning from Meredith Grey on Grey’s Anatomy to Kristine in this new role requires some getting used to, but Ellen Pompeo convincingly portrays a character that resonates with frustration. As the first episode progresses, Kristine emerges as a compelling character, her sharp tongue lashing out at her long-suffering husband in scenes that are both entertaining and tense. Pompeo and Duplass share an undeniable screen presence, despite their characters often finding themselves at odds over numerous issues.

In this TV series, Pompeo and Duplass deliver convincing performances as parents who don’t always agree on child-rearing (and other matters, for that matter). Additionally, Dulé Hill, Christina Hendricks, Sarayu Blue, and Jenny O’Hara provide strong supporting roles. However, it is Imogen Faith Reid who truly shines in this production. She is a versatile actress who manages to stir feelings of anger and frustration in viewers, only to later win us over with compassionate portrayals of Natalia in subsequent episodes. This series turns out to be quite the enigma.

Lots of Soapy Drama

In the remaining episodes of Good American Family, brace yourself for a climactic courtroom and tabloid-worthy confrontation that stirs strong emotions. The scenes may lean towards melodrama, though necessary given the circumstances. Additionally, there’s an ongoing query: is the Barnett family genuinely fond of Natalia? It feels somewhat hasty from our viewpoint, as the affectionate “sweety” exchanges come swiftly after her adoption without a clear portrayal of their emotional bond.

Despite other options, this series possesses an irresistible appeal, particularly for true-crime enthusiasts. It offers a fresh perspective to the story, unlike horror movies such as Orphan. If you haven’t already seen Investigation Discovery’s docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, which was released in February, then this is an excellent extension for a new audience. Delve into the captivating, suspenseful experience that is Good American Family. The premiere airs on Hulu on March 19. Catch it through the link provided below:

[Link to Good American Family]

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2025-03-19 19:02