Review: “Apple Cider Vinegar” TV series

I am not much of a “foodie”, so I was surprised to find myself riveted by this six-part TV series, in which food plays a huge, though not central role. The series is definitely derived from facts – you could say “based on fact”, but it is still really quite fictional. Indeed, the series calls itself “a trueish story, based on a lie”. That was an inspired definition of “Apple Cider Vinegar“, because, apart from having some fictionalised characters and events, and warding off possible legal suits, this story homes in some remarkable truths.

The story is based on the case of Belle Gibson, who in 2017 was ordered by a federal court to pay a $410,000 fine plus $30,000 in legal costs for profiting from false medical claims and fraudulent donation claims. Gibson has never paid this money, a debt which continues to grow, due to accumulating interest. Consumer Affairs Victoria brought the lawsuit on the basis of claims made by Gibson, advocating cures for cancer, based mainly on diet, started in 2013 via her website and book “The Whole Pantry“.

The facts of the case are being explored in the media, and centre on the various lies told by Gibson, especially her false claim to have cancer, and of the funds donated to her supposed charities, “helping cancer sufferers“. The facts of the life of the real Belle Gibson are also, of course, the subject of interest. What was her real background? What is her motivation?

Wisely, “Apple Cider Vinegar” does not attempt to answer those questions. Instead the series creates its own version of Belle Gibson (played by Kaitlyn Dever), though using a huge amount of factual information to build this character, and this story. The result is a fascinating narrative tracing the career of an amazing con artist. Along the way, we follow some tragic, and some uplifting stories, of individuals and their families, battling with cancer. It’s also about this fictional Belle Gibson’s supporters, and their loyalty, mixed with confusion, as they begin to wake up to her deception.

For a mystery story addict like me, the trail of evidence is also a draw, as is the exposure of this tale of a confidence artist gathering wide support, thousands of fans, and funds for fake charities. And this part of the story does mirror the factual case. Again, the show explores the human side of these events, including the true case of Julie Gibbs. Gibbs lost her job at Penguin, in charge of the Lantern lifestyle section, because she fell for Gibson’s proposal for “The Whole Pantry” cookbook (now removed from bookstores).

Well, I will have to watch the series again, because I was quite mesmerised by the whole thing. And why was I?

To a large degree, because the filming is beautifully done, and the acting is superb. Kaitlyn Dever’s creation of the fictional Belle Gibson is a masterpiece. More about that later. The thing that got me in was the lovely photography of the health food, the lovely natural surroundings of some of the “wellness” locations. I, who regards food as just the stuff that you take in, to keep yourself going, began to understand the pleasure in life that my family and friends get from being “foodies”.

The series captured the wonderful feel of gatherings of hope, alternative cultures, away from the stark white austerity of hospitals and operating rooms, and radiotherapy clinics. A kindly world of joy, and natural foods, and nice music, and garden surroundings. Just a pity that it’s so expensive, and doesn’t actually cure cancer.

Which brings me back to Belle Gibson – young, pretty, enthusiastic, articulate. She worked her magic on people, in real personal encounters, and then via her book, website, Instagram, and appearances on TV. It offered such lovely hope to cancer sufferers and their carers – no nasty surgery, no chemical and radiation treatments. Even if some of the wellness situations turned out to be not so pleasant, not all the providers are charlatans. Some really believe in their natural “therapies”. And there’s no doubt that fresh air and good natural unprocessed food are healthy things.

She also had a genius for choosing people with talent – in photography, graphic art, and IT skills – able to get across her message of recipes as cures for cancer.

What is particularly good about this depiction of Gibson is that it does not attach blame. It does not really try to unearth her motivation. It rather just shows her instinctive way of operating – the lies just flow forth, with no hesitation. She is not troubled with any guilt or remorse, in fact, does not seem to understand such ideas. Kaitlyn Dever shows her as having some heart, real love for her somewhat neglected son, almost innocent in her mind, about the harm that she’s done.

The show is an interesting depiction of both the way that a charlatan operates, and also of the appeal of the “wellness” culture. “Wellness” does meet a human need, and on one end of its spectrum, are so many kinds of beneficial activities – nutrition, fitness, meditation, yoga. At the other end of the spectrum- costly fake cures. Netflix has done something new and different in this “Trueish” tale – interpreted a confidence operation in a humanistic way.

On the personal level – it opens up the thought of the mind of the charity swindler – she seems driven. Does she even understand what she’s doing, can she help it?

 

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