Summary
We Were the Lucky Ones is a well-made and terrifically acted series and one of the most important media pieces you will watch this year.
We Were the Lucky Ones is one of the most vital pieces of media you will watch this year. The eight-part limited series, based on Georgia Hunter’s New York Times bestselling novel of the same name, was adapted for Hulu by Erica Lipez, executive producer of The Morning Show. Starring Logan Lerman and a standout Joey King, the true story follows a Jewish family separated at the start of WWII. It isn’t an easy watch, but it is an essential one.
We Were the Lucky Ones follows the story of the Kurc family, who were separated at the start of WWII, as they go through much adversity across many continents to reunite with one another. It’s a story of triumph, hope, and resilience.
We meet the Kurc family in 1938, celebrating Passover as they do every year. The night goes as any holiday does with the family laughing, joking, and talking about what’s happening in their lives. Fast forward a year, and the entire Kurc family is in ruins because of the start of World War II.
Each member of the Kurc family faces their own trials and tribulations to overcome. Sol and Nechuma are trying to protect themselves, Mila, and her baby after being evicted. Halina and Bella set their sights on finding Jakub but face imprisonment and more. Addy refuses to sit back and allow things to happen, so takes things into his own hands to help get everyone back together, but it isn’t easy.
Erica Lipez and the Cast Handle the Material With Care
Erica Lipez knew the material had to be handled delicately and gracefully. Lipez’s job wasn’t easy, as she had to deliver this series in an impactful way while also catching the authenticity of it all. On top of that, she had to make it in a format that would immerse audiences in the story. Lipez knocked it out of the park.
I could rant forever about this remarkable ensemble cast who clearly recognized the importance of the story. You could feel the level of care within each actor and how they brought these characters to life. Joey King has been doing great work for a long time, but this is easily her career’s best performance. King does some heavy lifting, but the entire cast deserves their flowers.
A Difficult Story to Structure
A critical part of the show is the aesthetic, authentically bringing the 1940s to life. We Were the Lucky Ones was filmed in Bucharest, Romania, and every person in the production, costume, and cinematography departments made you feel part of this era. There is much everyone must get right, but the specific look and feel were of the utmost importance, and they did an excellent job.
One of the issues I had with the show was the massive time jumps. I understand they needed to incorporate a layered story to try and communicate every aspect. However, structuring that story as a narrative TV show resulted in a less-than-perfect implementation. It often felt disjointed, leading to slight confusion about where we were in the story.
We Were the Lucky Ones Is Especially Essential Today
What is currently going on in the world overseas makes We Were the Lucky Ones essential. Of course, this is here to tell a resilient story of one family, but this is the reality of many families past and present who are dealing with dictatorships, ruthless leaders, and unnecessary wars. One of the most harrowing things when watching We Were the Lucky Ones was being reminded of the year. The 1940s weren’t that long ago, and knowing that people are walking this earth today affected by what happened during this era is a heartbreaking, sobering realization.
Ultimately, We Were the Lucky Ones is a well-crafted series that delivers some of the most haunting shots you will see this year. From top to bottom, Erica Lipez delivers a pivotal and essential piece of media highlighting the importance of telling stories like this while showing that contemporary society has eerie similarities. This is not an easy watch, as quite a few moments aren’t for the weak, but it is essential viewing, and I highly recommend checking it out.
