Life in Squares

Life in Squares is a three-part British television miniseries that first aired on BBC Two in 2015. Produced by the Detroit-born Robert Fox and directed by the talented Simon Kaijser, this scripted drama seduces viewers into the world of the early 20th Century intellectual elite with its sharp writing by Amanda Coe and spectacular performances.

The title Life in Squares comes from the saying that the Bloomsbury Group, an influential set of writers, artists, and scholars in early 20th century Britain, "lived in squares, painted in circles and loved in triangles". This Bohemian collective, characterized by their radical ways of living and experimental views on love and art, is at the heart of the miniseries. The dramatization of their art, sex and love filled lives serves as a narrative thread, connecting the episodes and revealing the nuanced relationships amongst the group members.

The series primarily follows the tangled lives and love affairs of painter Duncan Grant and sisters Vanessa and Virginia Stephen, the latter better known as the esteemed 20th-century writer Virginia Woolf. The show is a stylish exploration of the intense bond and unconventional relationships between these avant-garde figures.

The thrust of the series is the complex character dynamics and their bohemian lifestyle in the backdrop of the Victorian era. But it also attempts to peel back the layers of these enigmatic personalities, providing glimpses into their motivations and the social implication of their radical ideologies. The members of the Bloomsbury Group defied the normative conventions of their time, living in a web of intricate personal relationships while redefining sexuality, art, and literature.

Strikingly shot and beautifully paced, 'Life in Squares' journeys through a significant span of its principal characters' lives. The narrative freely moves between their youth, with Phoebe Fox and Lydia Leonard playing the young Vanessa and Virginia, and later life, where the sisters are performed by Eve Best and Catherine McCormack. The editing style skilfully stitches together the complex tale spanning different periods of time, yielding a narrative that is comprehensive and engaging. This mélange of youth and age offers a compelling examination of how the decades affect the Bloomsburys, their beliefs, and their relationships.

Among the series' merits are its production design and attention to period detail. The filmmakers create a sumptuous spectacle of the different eras with meticulous set designs, opulent locations, and awe-inspiring cinematography. The costumes are another significant element of the visual storytelling, providing the finishing touches to the characters while reinforcing the mise-en-scéne of the early 20th-century period.

Life in Squares abounds with themes of love, art, freedom, and the costs of defying societal norms. It explores the fluidity of human relationships through the controversial topics of sexual exploration and polyamory, decades before these subjects entered mainstream consciousness. Delving into the challenging notions of free love and intellectual camaraderie, the series captures the sense of rebelliousness that was inherent to the Bloomsbury Group, their individual spiritual quests, and the group's shared ethos that propelled them to break boundaries in relationships and artistic expression.

Subtle and sensitive performances lend authenticity to the characters. The tandem of Phoebe Fox and Lydia Leonard serve as the young Vanessa and Virginia and bring a burst of youthful energy, while the veteran approaches of Eve Best and Catherine McCormack carry an air of poise and sensitivity, subtly hinting at the simmering tensions and complexities of their later years. Another strong performance is James Norton playing the conflicted and tormented artist Duncan Grant.

Life in Squares is not merely a biographical account of the Bloomsbury Group, but instead a poetic and poignant exploration of their grand experiment in living, love, and art. It is a tribute to their audacity, showing how they dared to break the societal dictums of their time, carving out a path that challenged and shocked their contemporaries while laying the groundwork for the future.

In conclusion, Life in Squares illustrates the complexities of human relationships, love, and art, providing viewers with a stunning glimpse into the lives and passions of this fascinating group of intellectuals. It is a testament to a collective belief in the freedom of thought and love, making it a compelling watch for anyone intrigued by the intersections of life, art, and love during a bygone era.