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Arts & Life
The Clarion Aprils, 2019
Movie Review
Aidy Bryant stars in Hulu's
funny and honest 'Shrill'
By Mary Lewe
Managing Editor
I saw articles and social media posts both
praising and critiquing the Hulu original
“Shrill” before I saw a single episode. Aidy
Bryant stars as Annie, a woman working
through her early adulthood. Annie faces
familiar challenges, including struggles in her
career, relationships and family troubles.
The show has drawn great criticism, for one
reason in particular. The hurdle featured most
prominently, the aspect of the plot which has
apparently made the show so controversial, is
that Annie is fat.
The show does more than just provide a token
fat character, in fact the plot of the show dives
headfirst into the painful experiences Annie
faces as a fat woman in a world where anyone
can offer criticism, even anonymously.
In just six episodes, “Shrill” paints the life
of Annie with realism and humanity, and Aidy
Bryant gives a performance that makes you
want to be her best friend. Supported by a cast
of endearing and hilarious (albeit frustrating)
characters, the show reels you in almost
immediately. Before you know it, you have an
intimate window into the world of the characters.
For some, Annie’s story may be very familiar;
the show is an adaptation of writer, comedian
and actress Lindy West’s collection of essays
“Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman.” West also
serves alongside Lome Michaels as executive
producer for the show.
For people who can relate to Annie, the show
is a no brainer. For those who can’t imagine
relating to an overweight woman, it’s a must-
watch. A common criticism for the show so far
on the internet is that the show promotes an
unhealthy lifestyle. To the contrary, I believe
the show simply speaks to the inherent value
of all people.
At the end of the day, it is not too much to ask
of people to simply be kind, or be quiet.
Photo from Hulu.com
Advertisement poster for ‘Shrill’
Raleigh
Ringers
The Raleigh Ringers will be on campus
this Saturday evening, April 6th. I still have
a limited number of Complementary Concert
Tickets available for faculty, staff and students.
Please email me at smithbe@brevard.edu and
come by to pick them up by Thursday, April 4th
at 4:30 p.m. All unclaimed contemporary tickets
will be returned on Friday morning and will
become part of the tickets listed for purchase
for Saturday’s concert.
The Raleigh Ringers is an internationally-
acclaimed concert handbell choir based in
Raleigh, NC. Since its founding in 1990, The
Raleigh Ringers has been dazzling audiences
with unique interpretations of sacred, secular
and popular music, including famous rock ‘n’
roll tunes arranged just for handbells.
They will be performing in the Porter Center
on Saturday, April 6 at 7 p.m. I have a limited
number of free tickets for faculty, staff and
students. The general public may purchase
tickets through First United Methodist Church
or at Highland Books for $ 15 per ticket.
—Beverly Smith
Photo courtesy of Beverly Smith
Group photo of the Raleigh Ringers ensemble