Chernobyl (2019)

Chernobyl (2019) - Review

Morbid, Morose,Malignant but Mortal

This HBO presentation could be a mini-series, but has major implications. Starting off with subtle nodes and visual depiction of the disaster,

the series focuses on the immediate aftermath of the explosion rather than the cause and how it leads to that precarious scenario but eventually reveals the cause and the people behind it by holding them accountable.

 

For those unaware, Chernobyl was a nuclear power plant in the city of Pripyat in the north of the Ukrainian, Russia, and one fine night on April 26 1986 during a routine test, all hell broke loose as one of the 4 nuclear reactors exploded and there was no way to contain it, what they could contain was the panic and misinformation and they did so in the most communist way possible. In its initial hours, it's confused for a simple meltdown but as the plot proceeds, things become clearly dire and more consequential.

The series excels at cinematography and its nuanced depictions and the use of flora and fauna to express the seriousness of the entire incident is one of its core strengths. The story is told from two different POV's one from a fireman's wife and the other from a nuclear physicist played by Jared Harris. The acting, direction, and writing is top-notch. Stellan Skarsgård, Jessie Buckley are relate-able and human instead of two-dimensional characters.

There are several devastatingly heartfelt movements; one such is when they are burying affected people and the loved ones cannot get close and the bodies are buried in steel coffins to avoid further contamination. One can feel the despair and the irreplaceable loss of a loved one. The concrete poured over the coffins signifying the irrecoverable and final cost of such a disaster.

Over the course of 5 episodes, the series remains mute over how an RBMK reactor could've exploded which is theoretically impossible and whether the lives of people who worked towards cauterizing this stigmatic event.

Thematically, its a treasure cove exploring wide emotions and themes, one such prominent being the cost of greatness; a nuclear reactor that provided steady electricity became the reason for radiation poisoning for millions. The loss of life, the bureaucracy, moral convictions, the real/difficult choices and the cost of it, the hypocrisy of a communist individual, culpability, agility in the course of action, and finally THE HORROR, OHH THE HORROR.

OUTCOME:

Re- watch-ability: (1.2/2)

Element of Surprise: (2/2)

Enjoyment : (2/2)

Plot line : (2/2)

Memorability : (2/2)

OVERALL: 9.2 out of 10

PS: My heart goes out to the victims and their descendants, this incident is a stark reminder of how precious life is, and no matter what wonders science achieves, it's always helpful to know that humanity is above all.