Customer Reviews

United States of Tara: The First Season

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have worked with DID patients for over 20 years and have conducted much research on DID and dissociation. I approached this television show with trepidation because DID has so often been distorted and sensationalized by previous films and television programs. To my very pleasant surprise,the United States of Tara has presented a remarkably accurate portrayal of an admittedly uncommon presentation of DID (i.e., highly visible and public displays of switching from alter to alter). In contrast, the alter personalities of most persons with DID are quite hidden; the alters intentionally avoid public exposure. That said, the creaters and writers of the United States of Tara sought extensive consultation from experts on DID and have done an excellent job of presenting the symptoms, psychological issues, family interactions, and the difficulties in the therapy of persons with DID. Similarly, the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, which has provided professional commentary on each episode of the program [...], has consistently found the United States of Tara to be surprisingly accurate (within the limits of a darkly comedic show whose purpose is, of course, to entertain).

This is the most original show I have seen in a long time. It is an amazing look at what life with a person suffering from multiple personalities could be like. At the same time, a lot of the issues dealt with this in this show every family deals with. It shows the struggle a family faces in defining themselves as a family as well as individuals. A classic in the making. Set your TIVO!

What a brilliant TV show, with some great acting from not only Toni Collette but also the other cast members.
There are some people (the minority) that will be offended by the show, quoting it as unresearched or unrealistic. But what is pretty clear (and what they may like to remember) is that the writers have created a dark comedic undertone in which the actors portray very well.
Well done to the producers and all involved for taking quite a few risks and pushing boundaries, I'm sick of "safe" TV.
GREAT!!

I wasnt to sure at first about this, but then I found out that Steven speilberg was doing it so I gave it a chance. Im sure glad I did give it a chance because it was a pretty damn good show about a woman that has split personalities and how it affects her family (Husband, Son, Daughter and Sister). Very funny but sometimes sad, I was not dissapointed with it until the season finale which I thought was kinda weak, well besides that each episode is only 30 minutes long, I thought they could at least of did hour long episodes, (same thing with WEEDS). This is a great new show for Showtime to add to their already awesome line up of original shows and am kinda disappointed that the next season wont be ready till 2010 ( Unless that was a error of some kind, I hope). Definetly something you should check out if you got a day with nothing to do, trust me you wont be sorry.

I have had customers asking for this set since June so I was more than happy to finally get it in this week. I cranked through the episodes in a few days and loved everything Toni Collette has made on screen here. Her performance was amazing and in the end, carries the set.

The set is spanned over two discs with the both the PC and DVD supplements placed on disc 2, including:

* Sitting Down with Diablo Cody, 2:30 minutes. An ambush style interview that had some candid and funny moments but was way too short.
* Tara's Alters, 4 clips totaling 7 minutes. Each alter is briefly described by Collette or Corbett with Buck and Alice getting the longer cuts. T and Gimme only get a brief minute.
* Tudors episode 301. That set is already available so I guess they are trying hard to push this series.
* Sweepstakes entry, 3 minutes. A ad promo clip for travel to Collette's "home town" of Sydney. Have to admit I enjoyed seeing the luxury options available to one traveling in an Airbus 380.
* Photo gallery. Some decent pics of on-set stuff, lasts a couple minutes.
* Bios. Textual bios of the main cast and minds behind the show.

PC extras: The disc loads a menu which forwards you to a website for the remaining extras.

* Contrary to what the artwork and ads tell you the first two episodes of Season 3 Californication are here - not Season 2.
* Podcast Interview with Collette, 2 minutes. Covers some more of her take on the series and characters. The other three interviews promised are not available.
* On the set - not available.
* Tudors Season 3, first two episodes.
* "More" - could not find anything different.

Overall, I think one would be buying this for watching the series only as the extras are short. The sound is selectable between 2.0 and 5.1 for the episodes, region coded 1, 2 discs in thin cases with episode descriptions in each. Solid acting and writing recommendation. Enjoy.

This show is not only entertaining but educational. I am MPD and have a husband and 4 children (most grown now). My family have watched the episodes more than a few times, pause it, and talk about how that situation has happened in our family and how it has affected each member. This is the first time that we have been able to communicate how we are feeling and how MPD impacts our lives and relationships.
I don't think people should critize something they have not experienced first hand. Being MPD it is easy for me and my family to see her triggers and understand how difficult it is for everyone.
Maryetal

For the most part, I will echo the other "five star" reviewers who wrote about "Tara." Brilliant writing from Diablo Cody who won the Oscar for writing "Juno." Brilliant acting from all of the actors especially, of course, Toni Collette's genius performance. I must take exception to one of the reviews in regard to Tara's sister, Charmaine, and Rosemarie DeWitt who portrays her. I think that Charmaine is as screwed up as Tara, but in another way. Parental sexual misconduct, perchance?

When I watched the season finale, I was so upset to learn that Season 2 will be in 2010! Another year to wait to see what happens! I hope I live that long! I will be purchasing Season 1 whenever it comes out, I will have to be satisfied with rewatching until next year.

'United States of Tara' caught me by surprise! I tuned in to watch the season premier of 'Nurse Jackie' (which I loved) and I was just about to leave, when... well. The rest is history.

I wasn't prepared for such drama, such amazing talent and story telling.

In just 30MIN, I was able to experience the heartbreaking politics of being gay, and TEEN; I dealt with the social demands of a girl with one or too many crazy boyfriends; I endured patiently with a father, stretched to his limits...

And I cried with Tara. Needing to know who she is. And what caused her to be this way.

Crazy is never the operative word here. Ever. It's family.

With TARA, be ready to be BUCKed, ALICEd, T'd, and, well... we shan't speak it's name. You'll be fine.

Toni Collette (an Australian actress) does an amazing and convincing job of portraying multiple personalities "alters" in this dark comedy. Toni "Tara, Buck, Alice, & 'T'" work alongside John Corbett from My Big Fat Greek Wedding as they navigate life and it's stressors. The acting is superb and the direction and production keep the viewer coming back episode after episode. This series is unique in that MPD or Dissociative identity disorder (DID) has never been approached before on television besides the old movie Sybil. United States of Tara gives a much more realistic view of how a typical family might deal with this.

It's dark, it's funny and I found myself watching episode after episode in almost one sitting. Collette's portrayals are convincing and really debut her acting prowess. For something different and oddly funny, try out this series. With Steven Spielberg at the helm, the series really comes together.

Tara Gregson (Toni Collette) is just your average wife and mother. However, she also happens to have three other personalities who are anything but normal. There's Alice, a 50's housewife; T, a 15-year-old wild child; and Buck, a foul-mouthed biker dude. Obviously, this makes for quite an interesting household, as Tara's husband, Max (John Corbett), and two children, Kate (Brie Larson) and Marshall (Keir Gilchrist), try to exist in the same household as Tara's many alters.

In Season 1, Tara decides to go off her medication in an attempt to understand what caused her personality disorder to begin with and to hopefully overcome it. As a result, her various personalities make appearances whenever they feel like it, creating tension within Tara's family and with her sister, Charmaine (Rosemarie DeWitt). This mode of coping isn't easy for Tara, and it has some very dangerous consequences that leave her future in question.

I enjoy this show very much. I've never been a big Toni Collette fan, but she is amazing in this series...I especially love her portrayal of Buck, the Vietnam vet/dirty old man. The show also boasts a very strong supporting cast. Larson and Gilchrist deserve shout-outs for their performances as Tara's two children, who suffer through their own teenage trials and tribulations all while dealing with their mother's mental health issues.

The only part of the show that really rubs me the wrong way is Charmaine. I'm not fond of her character or the actress who plays her. I hope things improve with her in Season 2, or that she doesn't get as much screen time.

Overall, "United States of Tara" is a wonderful addition to Showtime's lineup. I can't wait for Season 2!