THE PERFECT COUPLE (NETFLIX)

An oxymoronic title is the first hint of what is to come, and it plays out deliciously in Christie/Holmes style; lavish wedding on a sanctioned estate goes awry in the wee hours of the wedding day; beautiful, dead guest “Merritt Monaco”, (luscious Meghann Fahy) surfaces on the Nantucket shore of an apparent drowning/suicide.

Estate owners “Greer Garrison Winbury”, a renowned novelist (immaculate Nicole Kidman soars with poise and pizzazz; so wish she’d cut those unbecoming Rapunzel tresses) and her caddish, quasi–alcoholic, ne’er-do-well husband “Tag Winbury” (Liev Schreiber’s decadently, delightful depiction is intoxicating) are hosting the wedding of their second son, out of three, “Benji Winbury” (Billy Howle’s performance is seasoned with sensitivity and a dose of naivety), his betrothed “Amelia Sachs” (Eve Hewson is wondrous as a confident, grieving woman whose best friend has perished).

 “Couples” proliferate, and “imperfection” abounds:

“Thomas Winbury” the eldest (Jack Reynor is superbly loutish), his pregnant wife “Abby” (Dakota Fanning, at her pinnacle); Tom’s mistress “Isabel” (forever ageless ingenue, Isabelle Adjani).

“Will Winbury” soon to be eighteen and inherit (Sam Nivola, does justice to the typical hairbrained teenager) in awe of “Chloe Carter” (Mia Isaac, feisty and sweet) and daughter of law enforcer “Dan Carter” (always impeccable, Michael Beach). The series is inflated with minor pairings but in my estimation the quintessential partnership lies in the relationship between police officer Dan Carter and “Detective Nikki Henry” (Donna Lynne Champlin scalps the verve of the wealthy with a surgeon’s precision, severing bloated entitlement with ease).

“The Perfect Couple” thrives in circuitous twists, secrets exhumed, singular, starring monologues, minimalization of inherited largess; Greer’s work ethic is the definitive proof that not all the wealthy are “idol” like slothful Tag; accountability of heirs relies on the commandments, examples of their predecessors.

THREE & ½ STARS!!!