"Palm Royale" unexpectedly became one of the main series of 2024, receiving as many as 11 nominations from the upcoming Emmy ceremony. The ratings are not so impressive, with 6.7 in IMDB and 69% out of 100 in Rotten Tomatoes.
Palm Royale, like many comedy novelties of recent years, made its heroes very rich people. It's in the late 1960s. We meet the queens of a closed country club, where the elite spend their time. The main character will climb over the fence to get there. But it gets thrown out very quickly. . .
Kristen Wiig (Ghostbusters) is named Maxine and is determined to become a member of the club. She substitutes her car for one of the rich girls - the accident is an occasion to start a conversation. Our heroine claims that she participated in beauty contests, that her husband is a pilot and heir to one of the main families of this area. Her “victim” does not believe this, but blackmail will eventually allow Maxine to achieve what he wants and get into the club legally.
And then it turns out that Maxine is not such a liar - her husband is a pilot and he is indeed the son of one of the richest local women. And she didn't lie about beauty contests.
But she really does not have money and being accepted by an elite society will be a very difficult task. Theft will be used. . .
In short, Palm Royale is an immersion in the intrigues of rich and powerful women. Turning history into a witty spectacle hardly worked. But feminist statements at least spare – the community of rich here will be opposed by the community of ladies who zealously defend the rights of women and their independence.
Perhaps Palm Royale was conceived as a comedy that would ridicule both poles of female behavior. And aggressive activists are not living well. And ready to be beautiful dolls for their spouses, too. Rich people don't behave well. But beggars too. Love is more important than money, but it can also make you bankrupt. . .
However, in the end, the creators of Palm Royale did not get a declared black comedy, but rather an ordinary female series, which breathes the spirit of Santa Barbara. A small bunch of rich people brew in their interpersonal relationships and they all somehow very easily lose their millions, then find them again.
However, the Palm Royale may well appeal to female audiences. There are a lot of passions, a variety of complex characters, a beautiful setting of the 60s and beautiful dresses, and in the center of the story a woman in search of wealth, recognition and meaning of life in the present. Ah. And suddenly Ricky Martin as a sexy waiter.