This ain’t no cooking show. In fact, it’s an excellent true crime series with an unfortunate title.
Recently, The Tinder Swindler and other “holy crap, I can’t believe they let that horrible man influence and control them” documentaries have proved immensely popular the past couple of years, and this new docuseries, Bad Vegan, is going to be right up the True Crime alley.
The guy who produced Tiger King and directed Fyre: The Greatest Party that Never Happened, both addictive watches is behind this four-part docu-series that has at its center Sarma Melngailis, the telegenic celebrity restaurant owner who was the toast of the New York foodies who frequented her trendy Pure Food and Wine. They called her the “Queen of Vegan.”
A divorcee, Melngailis was closer to her dog than anyone else in her life. One day around 11 years ago, she meets a guy online called Shane Fox, and her life would never be the same.
In many ways, the steps are familiar from all of the other stories we’ve heard: an independent and successful woman is charmed and manipulated by a man incrementally and, eventually, finds herself at his mercy. Shane Fox (whose real name is Anthony Strangis) promised that if she followed his instructions, she’d achieve a higher level of living and, I’m not making this up, that he could make her beloved dog immortal. But only if she obeys his every command.
As time goes by, the unlikely couple get married, Fox insinuates himself into the business – something that doesn’t go over well with the loyal employees, and starts getting his now wife to take millions of dollars from the business and the workers and handing the cash over to him.
It sounds like I’ve revealed a lot, but that’s the basic setup-there are many reveals that unfold. I recommend watching the official trailer below.
As filmmaking, the series is an addictive watch. The batshit crazy elements just keep escalating. The interviews with the former restaurant employees are priceless, ranging from seething outrage to gossipy giggling.
And at the center is Mengailis herself. Sober, smart, and a good storyteller. I couldn’t help but wonder if she was almost too good a storyteller. Did she really fall for this guy’s line of shit? I leave for you to interpret.
Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives. Now streaming on Netflix
4 Episodes | 3 ½ out of 4 Stars
