How the Editors of 'The Girlfriend' Managed a Challenging Timeline and Conflicting Points of View

Prime Videos six-episode limited series The Girlfriend, adapted from Michelle Frances novel, centers on a London art dealer, Laura (Robin Wright), who grows wary of her son Daniels (Laurie Davidson) new partner, Cherry (Olivia Cooke). The story is told through alternating viewpoints of the mother and the girlfriend, creating shifting allegiances and escalating schemes between the two women.

Mark Davis, who stepped in to edit Episode 1 after Mags Arnold transitioned to Episode 3, described the challenge: Editing from multiple perspectives is incredibly engaging. Even when the POVs only overlap in small segments, revisiting the same scene from a different characters angle is where the fun happens.

In shaping the opening episode, Davis and Arnold aimed to establish the narratives intricate structure and heighten dramatic tension. They chose a cold open hinting at the finale, featuring snippets of a heated argument and closing on a bloody knife in a pool. It teases the climax without fully revealing it, signaling that something significant will unfold, Davis explained. This tension contrasts sharply with the following scene, which shows Laura in an ordinary phone conversation with an employee, highlighting the everyday alongside looming danger.

Balancing the perspectives of Laura and Cherry, particularly in shared scenes like Daniel introducing Cherry to his parents, required careful attention to detail. Subtle variations, such as Lauras reception of a bouquet, help maintain character integrity and narrative consistency. Arnold noted, Ensuring both characters received appropriate focus while preserving tonal balance was delicate work.

Tone management was another key challenge. The team wanted the series to remain thrilling without tipping into melodrama. Its dark yet entertaining viewers need space to laugh and engage. Music played a pivotal role, Arnold said.

For instance, when the story shifts to Cherrys perspective, her confident walk down the street is paired with Blackpinks energetic track, Pretty Savage. Davis remarked, After rooting for Laura, the audience is invited to embrace Cherry. The music emphasizes that shift.

The editors, including Alex Mackie and Marc Richardson, could experiment with style thanks to the casts strong performances. Wright, who also executive produced and directed three episodes, brought instincts that enhanced the realism and believability of the series. With performances this solid, the show didnt need to overwork the tension the acting carried it, Davis added.

Author: Natalie Monroe