The Thing About Pam is an American crime drama limited television series detailing the involvement of Pam Hupp in the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria. The series is based on coverage from Dateline NBC and is titled after a Dateline podcast of the same name and stars Rene Zellweger as Pam Hupp.
S P O I L E R S
Consisting of six episodes, The Thing About Pam sets out the facts around the various deaths that Hupp has been involved with viz. Betsy Faria, Shirley Neumann (Pam’s mother) and Louis Gumpenberger. These facts in question have by and large been reported worldwide and so it’s available for anybody to discover. However, the series dramatises these events in a manner that is entertaining and disturbing at the same time.
READ OUR REVIEWS OF AMERICAN CRIME STORY SEASON 3.
In the series, Pam Hupp is presented as a narcissistic murderous psychopath with her sole motivation being enriching herself by any and all means. The tone of the series might be troubling to some as there is a strong comedic element evident. Especially with the voiceover narration and the way in which Zellweger plays Hupp.
There is a sense about Zellweger’s slightly over the top performance in that Hupp is characterised as a conniving and tricky killer whom hid her real self behind several disguises. Hupp comes across as a caricature mostly, with an exaggerated persona and egotistical manner. She seems to be very kind, helpful person but this is only a front for her evil agenda. In that sense, she reminded us of pedophile Jimmy Savile who excelled in charitable works but also used charity as a means to an end.
Now, Zellweger wears a fat suit to play Hupp, similar to how Sarah Coulsen did in American Crime Story season 3. We do not see any problem with this – this acting and wearing costumes is a tool of the trade and does not detract from Zellweger’s brilliant performance.
The Thing About Pam is an essential series for all lovers of true crime dramas. Recommended.
Now showing on NBC.
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