This series captured my attention almost immediately, I estimate that being the powerful, 3 dimensional authentic figure of Nicole Chamoun (Amirah) and all the relate-able, down to earth characters whom we all might be familiar with in Australian society- from the often confusing two-way cultural negotiation between Anglo Saxon (or whitey's) Australians and Muslim Lebanese Australians.
Cleverly, the series is exceptionally well paced, giving enough time in each sequence for the audience to clearly and quickly get to know what a good series does in Act 1: explain the world and backdrop the characters live in, before introducing the characters themselves and the complex modern day tensions that confront every Australian no matter their faith, creed, sexuality, faith or lack of it.
And that's what draws you in yet again. No matter if we're following the rivalry between father and daughter in the boxing arena, or the difficulty of a lesbian couple who just want to be together, but have to eventually face the rigid customs of their faith which nearly tears them apart, it doesn't seem to matter.
This is not a play by the numbers, safety first drama just filling in.
It is packed with so much tension between the characters that the boxing sequences almost take a back seat.
I highly recommend this great home grown drama to anyone who likes challenging, up to date issues and real characters you can follow.
Shame this has been thrown into the traditional non ratings trash timeslot of the xmas period, because if their were more honest, in your face, fearless Australian dramas like this being produced, we wouldn't be stuck with trite and tiring old repeats of dramas long gone, something we can be proud of.
Review of On the Ropes
