(Originally posted on 21/01/19)

Introduction:

I have seen a lot of people here talking about this, and I was very excited when I heard it was coming onto Netflix, and I have now watched each episode twice (once for entertainment, and once to analyse each episode in more detail)

Plot:

So the whole plot of this show was that Marie and her translator would go to homes in America and help the occupants of the household to tidy their house, using the konmari method, which is where she found fame after writing a book on the method some time ago.

She would show people how to fold clothes ‘properly’, as well as other storage solutions; from how to fold a fitted sheet, to how to properly store cables.

Each episode was spit into segments, with a subtitle stating which part of the konmari method they were working on next splitting up the different parts.

How Many Stars Do I Rate This Show?

★★☆☆☆

(2 out of 5)

Review:

Personally, I think this show was a huge let down. I was excited for this show to be released on Netflix, hoping it would inspire me and motivate me to declutter some more, to carry on with my minimalist journey after a few months of not really caring what came and went in and from my life. Yet, after watching it, it didn’t inspire me at all.

Marie’s book, ‘The Life Changing Magic Of Tidying Up’ is a book very near and dear to my heart, a true work of a genius. But, making a TV show about it has taken away the magic of the book, especially in the way they did it. Each show was repetitive and bland, and it was more like a reality show then anything Marie Kondo has been known for.

There is not a single bit of verity in the show. So all the variables stay the same. Every house she visits is in America. They’re all very large homes, causing very unrealistic expectations for almost everyone else.

There is not even any variety in the people of the house. They’re all either married middle aged couples, or people with children. In my opinion that’s a very small percentage of the population, and most of those people aren’t really looking to be minimalists, they’re just unorganised due to what life has thrown at them. Automatically taking away any passion into what Marie truly does.

As I mentioned before, speaking on the structure side of things, the show itself was put together well, so kudos to the film editors for making a bland show seem well put together.

I get that the show is about “tidying up”, but even with that title it’s a stretch to meet that expectation. Putting things into boxes without any willpower to actually change their habits is not tidying, and it’s taking advantage of the wonderful work Marie is capable of doing.

If the thought of letting go of your thousands of baseball cards brings tears to your eyes, don’t get rid of them. Don’t sign up for the show.

In my opinion, I personally couldn’t see much difference in the before and after shots of the rooms. Putting all your towels in a box, or folding them a different way doesn’t do anything, if anything you’re adding more things to an already messy environment.

On the other hand, I like how Marie was respectful when it came to what the people wanted to keep, but in turn, that could stop them from getting rid of things they didn’t truly want. Also, I liked the few little snippets, where Marie was at home, and taught us how to do things such as fold fitted sheets. They could actually be helpful for someone. It’s a shame the whole show wasn’t like that.

If they bring out a second season, I hope the producers realise where they slipped up. I would like to see more verity in the clients that sign up for the show. People who are a lot less well off, who may not be able to afford the organisation solutions she recommends, or younger people, students, people with a lot of animals, etc