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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Laura Linney is nothing less than stupendous as Cathy, the suburban mom living with stage-four melanoma in season two of The Big C. In fact, the entire cast is, as in the first season, excellent. Oliver Platt is believable, and occasionally frustrating, as Cathy's husband, Paul, from whom Cathy hid her diagnosis for months in season one. Back again are Cathy's son, Adam (Gabriel Basso), a pool of conflicting emotions--resentment, raw grief, depression--and Cathy's living-off-the-grid brother, Sean (the hilarious John Benjamin Hickey). Also back are Cynthia Nixon as Cathy's longtime pal and (rather unbelievably) Sean's baby mama, Rebecca, and Gabourey Sidibe as Andrea, Cathy's former student and little-sister stand-in. Season two adds more excellent cast members. Alan Alda is Cathy's new doctor, who enrolls her in a new treatment, along with fellow patient Lee (Hugh Dancy), who becomes a confidante--and maybe more. Yet while Linney and the cast are excellent, and the direction and writing are top-notch, season two feels like something of a letdown after the excellent, heart-wrenching first season. While it mirrors real-life medical advancements--that stage-four cancer patients do in fact live longer and fuller lives than they once did--the open-ended nature of Cathy's health makes for less-compelling viewing. Which does not mean that the viewer wants Cathy to die; far from it. Fans can continue to cheer Cathy on as she makes some less-than-respectable life decisions, and The Big C continues to be some of the best storytelling to grace the small screen. The DVD boxed set includes some funny outtakes and extra and deleted scenes. --A.T. Hurley
Product Description
Laura Linney returns in her Golden Glober winning role for a new season of The Big C, the hit Showtime original Series about living. with cancer. After spending season one ignoring her illness, Cathy Jamison has decided to fight back. "Bring it on," says Cathy, as she enters an experimental clinical trial while continuing to live life to the fullest in this heartfelt and surprising comedy.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
When I was a kid, anyone who got cancer was usually dead a few months later. Flash forward to 2011 and I know many people in stage four cancers who are lasting year after year. I am five years past colon cancer 2A so I am familiar with the whole current routine.
This show picks up where cancer is today. It is a much longer event and one must live a life while also carrying around this disease for who knows how long. Laura Linney as the cancer patient continues her excellent job from season one.
One distinct improvement this season is that her oncologist was replaced by an actor who is doing a more believable job. This is Alan Alda. Alda always brings interesting juxtapositions to his roles. He is able to play a competent professional doing his job yet also turn the role on its head by being a smarmy fool married to a much younger woman.
Likewise, Kathy has a friend now also in her clinical trial and he is a valuable addition to the show. He has had cancer a lot longer that Kathy. This is not his first clinical trial. He covers a gamut of emotions far more advanced than Kathy's. While she is still in strong survival mode, focused solely on beating cancer, he is not so sure he wants to continue the battle. The knowledge has set in that he cannot beat it; he can only forestall it. Additionally, they are both stage fours so they face constant chemo (or similar) or they will die. This strong piece of acting is done by Brit actor Hugh Dancy who is totally believable as an American cancer patient.
I've noticed that more and more shows bill themselves as comedies. This one also does so, with the tag line, "A suburban mom, diagnosed with cancer, tries to find the humor in the disease." I do not find this an accurate depiction of this show. Although there are comedic moments, there are far many more dramatic moments.
I will take issue with only one thing that I think is wrong about this show in depicting cancer. When Kathy is getting chemo, she looks far too healthy. People who are getting chemo have a certain grayness to them, a sickly pallor. This is because poison is being pumped into their veins. Kathy looks radiant, by contrast. Hugh Dancy, playing her cancer buddy in the clinical trial, actually looks like someone going through chemo. I don't know why this wasn't done to both actors.
If I were not a cancer patient, I might give this series four stars instead of five. However, it is the most germane piece of tv work I've seen relative to my own illness so for me personally it is worth the five stars.
This show picks up where cancer is today. It is a much longer event and one must live a life while also carrying around this disease for who knows how long. Laura Linney as the cancer patient continues her excellent job from season one.
One distinct improvement this season is that her oncologist was replaced by an actor who is doing a more believable job. This is Alan Alda. Alda always brings interesting juxtapositions to his roles. He is able to play a competent professional doing his job yet also turn the role on its head by being a smarmy fool married to a much younger woman.
Likewise, Kathy has a friend now also in her clinical trial and he is a valuable addition to the show. He has had cancer a lot longer that Kathy. This is not his first clinical trial. He covers a gamut of emotions far more advanced than Kathy's. While she is still in strong survival mode, focused solely on beating cancer, he is not so sure he wants to continue the battle. The knowledge has set in that he cannot beat it; he can only forestall it. Additionally, they are both stage fours so they face constant chemo (or similar) or they will die. This strong piece of acting is done by Brit actor Hugh Dancy who is totally believable as an American cancer patient.
I've noticed that more and more shows bill themselves as comedies. This one also does so, with the tag line, "A suburban mom, diagnosed with cancer, tries to find the humor in the disease." I do not find this an accurate depiction of this show. Although there are comedic moments, there are far many more dramatic moments.
I will take issue with only one thing that I think is wrong about this show in depicting cancer. When Kathy is getting chemo, she looks far too healthy. People who are getting chemo have a certain grayness to them, a sickly pallor. This is because poison is being pumped into their veins. Kathy looks radiant, by contrast. Hugh Dancy, playing her cancer buddy in the clinical trial, actually looks like someone going through chemo. I don't know why this wasn't done to both actors.
If I were not a cancer patient, I might give this series four stars instead of five. However, it is the most germane piece of tv work I've seen relative to my own illness so for me personally it is worth the five stars.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
isn't the finest actress on the planet, please tell me who is. this is her show, with an excellent supporting cast, great writing and directing. one of the finest series on television, and makes me almost forgive showtime for cancelling THE BROTHERHOOD. almost!
last night i viewed the last chapter of the 2nd season; i won't give away anything, just to say that it was the most moving 3 minutes i've ever seen in any tv episode. this ending got to me; right up there with the conclusion of SIX FEET UNDER.
long may this dynamite show run, and long may laura linney continue to be the finest actress on the planet!
last night i viewed the last chapter of the 2nd season; i won't give away anything, just to say that it was the most moving 3 minutes i've ever seen in any tv episode. this ending got to me; right up there with the conclusion of SIX FEET UNDER.
long may this dynamite show run, and long may laura linney continue to be the finest actress on the planet!
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Hip Hop Dude
Format:DVD
All I can say is "WOW"! The Big C has me laughing, crying, and literally glued to the TV!!! The acting is superb, the stories are so believable, and this is truly one of my favorite shows on TV (I actually subscribed to Showtime just to see it after watching a couple of episodes at a friend's house). I've watched the entire first season, and about half of the second season, and I can't wait to purchase the DVD of the 2nd season (I already own Season 1).
Watch this show and you'll be hooked too! Why can't they make shows like this for regular television?
Watch this show and you'll be hooked too! Why can't they make shows like this for regular television?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
It's nice to watch people go a little crazy.
After watching so many procedurals, where you have to pay such close attention to details of a case, and characters you have to remember for when they show up later and you want it... Read more
Published 7 days ago by Maddy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heart, Courage and Humor from the deepest heart...
Companion, Role Model, Guide, Friend--
this series allows the viewer so much understanding.
It kindly and generously invites the Viewer in
to this on-going... Read more
this series allows the viewer so much understanding.
It kindly and generously invites the Viewer in
to this on-going... Read more
Published 8 days ago by mgp
5.0 out of 5 stars
Addicting!
Even my husband enjoyed watching it! Now he says to order Season 3! We watched it during rainy days on vacation.
Published 10 days ago by pennie alfieri
5.0 out of 5 stars
i love it
these shows are so amazing glad i mad this buy because the first season turned me on to the second season
Published 25 days ago by shannon daughtry
5.0 out of 5 stars
ring true
My 58 year old sister died recently from cancer. I understand the gallows humor, the shift of priorities and the overwhelming stress.
Published 26 days ago by greatwriterrev
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Show
This DVD is definitely worth the price, especially if you don't have Showtime! It's great to watch all episodes at once and not have to wait for it to come on weekly.
Published 2 months ago by dc
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great casting and story
She has cancer but the whole show is not about her drama with cancer, there is a great storyline and a lot of humor. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Brooke Loening
5.0 out of 5 stars
Laura Linney and cast shine!
Laura Linney and the rest of the cast in this TV show give performances worth watching in this realistic portrayal of a woman dealing with cancer. Read more
Published 2 months ago by january42
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not as good as 1st season
The first season was OUTSTANDING and had high hopes for the second. Should have realized it couldn't be as good as the first. It was o.k. but got too silly for my liking.
Published 3 months ago by Zola
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome show!
This is a hilarious show which is odd because the main character is fighting cancer. She lives her life to the fullest.
Published 3 months ago by Lori Stancill
