Not everyone loves the so-called "soap operas"; for this category of viewers, they are increasingly releasing television films that make you think. Series with meaning are gaining an ever wider audience, subduing millions of people in the world. In love for such series do not hesitate to admit the most senior politicians and public figures.
The Idiot (2003)
Perhaps the best film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Dostoevsky, occupies a worthy place among Russian series from the meanings. The film is occupied by the most popular Soviet and Russian actors of several generations. Critics and viewers noted that the film faithfully conveys the spirit of the era - interiors, costumes, surroundings verified almost to perfection.
Prince Myshkin Lev Nikolaevich (Evgeny Mironov) after prolonged treatment in a psychiatric clinic in Switzerland returns to the Russian capital. On the train he meets the heir to the wealthy merchant Parfen Rogozhin (Vladimir Mashkov). Myshkin stops at his distant relative Lizaveta Prokofievna Yepanchina (Inna Churikova). Her husband’s general is played by Oleg Basilashvili. The main intrigue of the film takes place around Nastasya Filippovna (Lidia Velezheva), who is going to get married.
Elimination (2007)
One of the best Russian TV shows with meaning, talks about the fight against crime in the postwar years. The script is based on the diaries of an employee of the Odessa criminal investigation department, David Mikhailovich Kurland, who became the prototype of the protagonist. One of the storylines of the picture shows the legend of the elimination of urban crime by Marshal Zhukov, for which he allegedly used the arrests and executions of criminals without trial.
In the fall of 1946, David Markovich Gotzman (Vladimir Mashkov), head of the Odessa Criminal Investigation Criminal Investigation Bandit Department, investigates the theft of military uniforms. With the help of a childhood friend, Fima the half-Jew (Sergey Makovetsky), a former felon, finds out that things were received on waybills from the warehouse of the military district. Fima is being killed. For Gotzman, the investigation is now revenge for a deceased friend.
Fool Me (2009)
The plot of the television movie was based on the work of the American psychologist Paul Ekman on the interpretation of facial expressions and the reaction of the human body. Which no one is able to consciously control. For a long time, the picture will be among the best foreign series with meaning.
Dr. Cal Lightman (Tim Roth) professionally exposes the lie. He knows that you can catch a liar thanks to micro-facial expressions, you just need to look very carefully at any little things in behavior. He has an agency that employs: Dr. Gillian Foster (Kelly Williams), researcher Eli Loker (Brendan P. Hines) and expert Ria Tores (Monica Raymund), who help Lightman investigate complex cases.
Homeland (2011 - 2019)
If you are looking for a good psychological series with meaning, then you must definitely watch "Homeland". The picture won many prestigious awards for the first two seasons, including several Emmys and Golden Globes. Starring Claire Danes (Carrie Matheson) and Damien Lewis (Nicholas Brody) received awards for Best Actress and a male. Starting from season 4, the film tells the story of only Carrie Matheson. The series is based on the Israeli television series Prisoners of War, directed by Gideon Ruff.
In the first three seasons, the main character is the sergeant of the US Marine Corps Nicholas Brody, who spent seven years in captivity with a terrorist organization. Since 2003, he was reported missing and, presumably, was considered dead in battle. However, during a military operation he is discovered on a secret base of radicals. CIA agent Carrie Matheson (Middle East expert) believes Brody has been recruited by terrorists. And specially left to the special forces to commit a major terrorist attack on American territory. For the general public and the country's leadership, Sergeant Brody is a true hero of the past war, which complicates the investigation.
The Thaw (2013)
About the historical series about the Khrushchev thaw expressed many directly opposing opinions. Most like the reliably transmitted atmosphere of those times, others note historical inconsistencies. The film was seriously criticized by supporters of a healthy lifestyle, in their opinion the heroes smoke too much. This is a good series with meaning, showing the recent past of our country.
The main characters of the series are filmmakers of the 50s. Cameraman Viktor Khrustalev (Yevgeny Tsyganov) is suspected of guilty of the death of a friend of the scriptwriter Kostya Parshin (Fedor Lavrov), who committed suicide during another binge. Victor, along with director Yegor Myachin (Alexander Yatsenko) wants to make the film "Shards" according to a script written by a late friend.
Catherine (2014)
The Russian historical series has received many national awards. The picture of how a German princess from an impoverished family of Prussian kings became the Russian empress Catherine the Great survived two seasons.
The film covers the life of Sofia Augusta Frederica Catherine (Marina Alexandrova) from 1744 to 1782. The childless empress Elizabeth I Petrovna (Julia Aug) elects the German princess as her wife to her nephew Peter III (Alexander Yatsenko). The first season ends with a series of palace coups and accession to the throne. The second season covers the history of the relationship of Catherine with the favorites.
"House of Cards" (2013 - 2018)
Favorite series of many statesmen, including Presidents Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin. The series survived six seasons, maybe continued even further, if not for the sexual scandal with the leading actor. Several men accused Kevin Spacey of playing Congressman Frank Underwood of harassment. The picture was shot mainly in Baltimore. Some of the scenes were planned to be shot even in the Security Council, but the Russian delegation blocked the request of the producers. In the list of the best series with a sense, this is undoubtedly one of the best.
The political drama tells about the life of the family of an ambitious congressman from the Democratic Party, who by hook or by crook is trying to take a chair in the White House, in his heart - the Oval Office. Frank Underwood agrees to a deal with presidential candidate Garrett Walker (Michael Gill). Which, in exchange for congressman support, promises to appoint him Secretary of State in case of victory. However, after the inauguration of the new president, the head of the administration, Linda Vazquez (Sakina Jaffrey) informs him that Walker has changed his mind. Enraged by deception, Frank and his wife Claire (Robin Wright) are ready to go to great lengths to avenge themselves.
Big Little Lies (2017)
Last year, a mini-series with the meaning of Jean-Marc Vallee received eight Emmy awards and continues to receive numerous film awards this year. Critics very well received the picture, calling it confusing and exciting, with the most famous actors in the lead roles. The picture was removed on the basis of the book of the same name by Liana Moriarty. Only seven episodes were planned, but at the end of 2017, HBO announced plans for shooting the second season. Among the series with meaning, this is one of the most interesting paintings of recent years.
Despite the detective story, this is primarily a story about family relationships, domestic violence, which covers a lie. At a school charity ball, a murder takes place, however, the victim’s name is not disclosed until the very last series. The usual everyday life of a bored middle class with pretentious friendliness, but hiding his monsters for the time being in his home closet. One of the students is accused of cruel mockery of a classmate. And some parents (Madeleine Martha Mackenz - Reese Witherspoon, Celeste Wright - Nicole Kidman, Jane Chapman - Shailene Woodley) find themselves embroiled in an unpleasant and loud scandal. The mini-series shows the events preceding the tragedy. Several families are somehow involved in this murder. The school is divided into two warring camps, and soon the confrontation reaches its climax.
The Mind Hunter (2017)
An American drama series based on the book by writer Mark Olsheiker and former FBI employee John Douglas, The Mind Hunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit. Written in the form of memoirs of an FBI officer investigating the crimes of serial killers. The series was extended for the second season six months before the premiere of the first. This is undoubtedly a worthy addition to the list of interesting series with meaning.
The picture takes place in 1977, when the special unit of the FBI, engaged in complex investigations, was just in its infancy. In the film, two special agents conduct long interrogations of serial maniacs, trying to understand the psychology of criminals in order to use their psychological profiles to investigate new crimes. The prototype of Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) - an employee of the department of behaviorism, became one of the authors of the novel. The second character, Bill Tench (Holt McCullany), is an employee of the behavioral department, Robert Ressle became the prototype of the character.
Mr. Mercedes (2017)
The picture, based on the work of the same name by Stephen King, is simply doomed to get on the list of series with a meaning worth seeing. This is the first experience of the famous writer in the genre of "cool detective." The success of the novel among readers encouraged King to release two more novels about retired detective Bill Hodges. In the film, he is played by Brendan Gleeson.
Brady Hartsfield (Harry Treadaway) steals a powerful Mercedes and bumps into a crowd of people standing in line at the "job fair." Sixteen people are killed, and the offender is hiding. Inspector Bill Hodges does not manage to solve the case because he is retiring. Two years later, he receives a letter from Mr. Mercedes, in which he taunts a pensioner. Brady decides to catch the criminal.
"The Handmaid's Tale" (2018)
The American series is predicted by numerous awards and top places in the list of series with meaning. The film is based on the novel by the famous Canadian writer Margaret Atwood, the winner of the Booker Prize.
The film takes place in the not-so-distant future, in the fictional totalitarian state of Gileaard, which is located in the territory of the modern USA. Cruel manners and orders reign in the country, only officers and their wives enjoy all rights. In addition, infertility is a serious problem - only every hundredth woman is capable of childbearing. To continue the clan, Commander Fred Waterford (Joseph Fiennes) takes in the house a maid, June Osborne (Elizabeth Moss). Which will be a surrogate mother. After the birth of a child, she must leave him and go to the service of other owners.
Little Drummer (2018)
In October of this year, the premiere of a 6-episode series based on the book of the same name by the recognized master of espionage novel John Le Carré took place. The director of the picture was the South Korean director Pak Chkhan Uk, who gained fame by filming an auteur movie. His most famous painting is Oldboy with many naturalistic scenes. The producers of the film noted that Pak is a director with a unique vision and the film was simply irresistible. Among foreign series with a meaning, the picture will take its rightful place.
The young actress Charlie (Florence Pugh) accidentally meets a charismatic man who turns out to be an Israeli intelligence officer. He is recruiting a girl to organize the killing of a Palestinian terrorist and prevent new terrorist acts. Under the guidance of her curator, she is introduced to the Palestinians. However, she gradually perceives national liberation ideas and begins to doubt whether she was on the right side.