Dickinson Review: A Bizarrely Entertaining Take on the Classic Poet
Among the original series coming to new streaming platform Apple+ is Dickinson, a teen comedy that re-imagines Emily Dickinson and her life in a way that is bizarre, bold, and entirely entertaining.
It takes a bit to adjust the show’s tone. The gorgeous setting and costume design reveal that we are indeed in Amherst during the time Emily Dickinson was alive, but the series is also overtly anachronistic.
Modern pieces of dialogue find their way into the story often. It’s unsettling at first — and a bit jarring, but its effect is to make the story one that resonates with its viewers and feels relatable.
The anachronistic style makes the show special and allows the story to be told in its own universe. For that matter, the style also works because so many of the show’s themes are current ones.
The show’s soundtrack is also anachronistic. Cue a modern tune from Billie Eilish, for example. But it fits with the story and only makes me more interested in seeing the story continue to come to life.
The character of Emily Dickinson also feels contemporary despite being dressed in period clothing and told she should only be doing “women’s work.” Hailee Steinfeld’s portrayal of Dickinson feels fresh and fun, and you can only root for this rebellious, energetic character who is ultimately trapped in a world where she doesn’t belong.
Dickinson takes plenty of liberties when it comes to the classic poet’s life story. There’s a lot we’ll never really know about the poet we all studied in high school, and I for one appreciate seeing a story where Emily Dickinson is rebellious, passionate, and unconcerned with what people think of her.
That said, there are accurate details down to the relationships we suspect Emily Dickinson had and the names of characters who live in the town of Amherst.
The show explores Emily’s relationship with Sue (Susan Gilbert) who eventually becomes her sister-in-law and who evidence suggests Dickinson had a romantic relationship with. This is, at least in the first three episodes, one of the most significant and interesting parts of the series.
Also significant, naturally, is Emily’s love for poetry and her desire to spend her time thinking and writing. Her father, however, is opposed to her publishing any of her work.
Stylistically, the episodes center on individual poems written by Emily Dickinson. The first is “Because I could not stop for Death,” where not only do the words of the poem scroll across the screen, but we get a scene with Emily running to Death himself, played by Wiz Khalifa, and they have a conversation together in his carriage.
It’s straight from the poem itself and it’s completely bizarre, but that makes it perfect.
It’s not a stretch to believe that if Emily Dickinson were living in modern times, that she would be quite like the version we see in Dickinson, and that’s due in large part to Steinfeld’s portrayal of her.
What works less is Jane Krakowski’s portrayal of her mother, which just doesn’t seem to fit well with the story being told. I adore Krakowski, and there are great moments from her in this role, but it mostly feels like a miscast.
Overall, though, I don’t have many complaints. Dickinson is thoughtful, relatable, and a lot of fun to watch. The attention to detail is stellar and the unique choices make it one of a kind.
While the series is definitely not going to be for everyone, at least based on the first three episodes, I’m calling this one a win for Apple TV+.
Are you excited to watch Dickinson? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Dickinson premieres Friday, November 1st on Apple TV+.
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Ashley Bissette Sumerel
Ashley Bissette Sumerel is a television and film critic living in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is editor-in-chief of Tell-Tale TV as well as Eulalie Magazine. Ashley has also written for outlets such as Rolling Stone, Paste Magazine, and Insider. Ashley has been a member of the Critics Choice Association since 2017 and is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. In addition to her work as an editor and critic, Ashley teaches Entertainment Journalism, Composition, and Literature at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.