Movie #2197 ........................."9 Perfect Strangers" (hulu)

 Movie #2197 "9 Perfect Strangers" (hulu) No, don't bother, this was a mess, in my opinion.  I read the book and didn't like the ending and actually the second half of the book (way too soap-operish), and I watched this for a couple of reasons.  I was hoping they made it better ---- I like most of what the author writes, but this was not good to me.  I was also hoping that the cast would elevate it, and some did ---- Melissa Mccarthy, Bobby Carnivale, some other secondary  people that aren't as famous as those two, and of course Nicole Kidman --- but  that character was all over the place and very hard to like.  This is a spa that exists in places like Arizona, Colorado, etc. with beautiful landscapes, and rich people are told they can start all over --- they don't realize that the program is completely propelled by drugs.  After all the episodes  of this limited series that  show   pushing drugs, the hulu show ended  on somewhat of a positive note about spas like these --- huh?  Because the people changed (because they were afraid to die?) ????

 In the book, I think they stage a protest and that kind of proves they got some strength, and they also   grouped together to commit a coup (these people were all loners and had lots of baggage) so it shows strength in number.  But in the hulu show, they were too drugged to be able to do that, and   I don't remember as much of the drugs that were pushed in the book (I could be wrong) .  So bottom line?  I didn't like the book because it was hard to believe, and this show was worse --- and a mess.  I gave the book 2.8, I would give the t.v. show 2.5 out of 5, with only Melissa McCarthy and Bobby Carnivale's story the most believable.  I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS MESS! (the first couple of shows where you meet them is nice and slow and easy to follow, but not the rest)

"9 PERFECT STRANGERS" 2021       6 hours and 28 minutes, 8 episodes

Nine stressed city dwellers visit a boutique health-and-wellness resort that promises healing and transformation.  The resort's director is a woman on a mission to reinvigorate their tired minds and bodies.

Creators:  John-Henry Butterworth, David E. Kelley

Stars:  Nicole Kidman, Melissa McCarthy, Michael Shannon