‘Three Women’ review: A journey through female desire complexities

This review delves into the TV adaptation of Lisa Taddeo’s book “Three Women”, exploring themes of sexual desire, abuse, and women’s struggles in a patriarchal society. The series follows the stories of Maggie, Sloane, and Lina, played by Gabrielle Creevy, DeWanda Wise, and Betty Gilpin respectively. Each woman’s narrative tackles issues of abuse, polyamory, and unfulfilled desires, portraying the complexities of female sexuality. However, the adaptation struggles at times to balance the storytelling of these real-life experiences with the need for dramatic impact, often stretching the narrative too thin.
It makes sense to expand Taddeo’s book into a 10-episode TV series, but it can result in spending too much time away from each story, like Maggie’s, which explores grooming, consent, and abuse. The show also delves into female health issues, sexuality, and desire, covering topics such as stealthing, period sex, and masturbation. While the pacing and character choices may detract from the overall story, “Three Women” attempts to provide a more varied perspective on the female sexual experience. The series ultimately aims to empower viewers by showcasing different women’s walks of life and the importance of feeling heard and understood.