Reviews by:
@the_owlseyes
RATE THIS SERIES
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“To be wealthy and honored in an unjust society is a disgrace”
Confucius, The Analects
PLOT
"The Roy family is known for controlling the biggest media and entertainment company in the world. However, their world changes when their father steps down from the company" or "A rich and selfish family tries to keep the company afloat while figuring out a successor".
SCRIPT
This is an intense show. It's an in-depth character analysis of a wealthy family and the people who inhabit its world. At first it seems like a series which glamourize the iper-rich but, in fact, it's the one which shows their core, which is rotten and corrupted. It tells us that money don't grant happiness and autenticity. It's almost like wealth is the curse of all the Roy's. We're able to see how greed impacts the life of every person who comes into contact with this world or is born in it.
Connor Roy is blinded by wealth. He's on another planet and everything doesn't have a real meaning for him. His partner, Willa, is with him just to feed of his ingenuity and influence and he isn't able to notice it. He's a joke who has lost every connection with reality.
Greg Hirsch starts as a weedy do-nothing and ends up being a relevant member of the Waystar Royco just because he's related to Logan Roy. A character which shows us that, no matter what you do, there will always be someone who is related to someone else who will steal your spot.
Tom Wambsgans is another leecher who uses his relationship with Shiv to keep himself in the family and don't lose his status. He's a douchebag who doesn't care about others and isn't able to notice that her wife is using him.
Roman Roy is an arrogant, unstable guy who is under his father spell and doesn't have a real skill. He's also sexually limited, which could be related to the fact that he didn't grow up with a mother.
Logan Roy is the misogynist, manipulative, outspoken and apathetic patriarch who is the main reason behind all the chaos which unfolds in the series. He's the reason behinf his sons behaviour and it's the character which I despised the most because I have the misfortune to have parents like that.
Kendall Roy is the most sympathetic character and the one who tries to break free of his father's clutch and bring his siblings on his side. I identify a lot of with him because I understand and I know how's his situation.
These series spoke to me through Kendall, maybe it will do the same with you with another character.
Script: 9/10
ACTING
The cast ensemble is perfect. Each actor is perfectly casted and imbues each character with a distinct and fascinating personality. I think that the best ones are Brian Cox and Mark Strong. The first one because he's able to portray a rough and hateable character with ease and charisma and the second one because he goes to such length to play his character that his colleagues find him a bit crazy. Kieran Culkin is surprising as the creepy, sexually restrained Roman Roy. He's so good at playing this arrogant and spiteful character. Maybe Sarah Snook, Alan Ruck and Nicholas Braun are the less interesting among the main cast because they're not given enough scenes to shine, even though they're pretty good as well. Matthew Macfayden goes against his usal typecasting and portrays a douchebag without confidence which is one of the most entertaining thing of this show. Even the secondary actors are good here. It's hard to find anything wrong with the acting here.
Acting: 9/10
PHOTOGRAPHY
Even though the series doesn't show amazing landscapes, it manages to offer us beautiful views of Manhattan and other locations which are visited or inhabited by the character. There is this sense of grandeur which permeates every scene and makes this show feel like an epic tale. Lights, Shadows and colours are used masterfully to enhance the pathos and drama and to hints at elements which will be relevant for the plot.
Photography: 8/10
EDITING
One of the main strengths of this show. The camera isn't dynamic but it's tilted, a lot. Usually this kind of technique is employed for action movies but here is used to increase tension and create some sort of excitement around events which regards the family. I would say that wide angles and zoom ins are used a lot too, but they are employed in an organic way because this show care about substance. In the end is all about framing. I think that overall is pretty satisfying.
Editing: 8/10
SPECIAL EFFECTS
There isn't much of them because the series is pretty grounded in reality. There isn't much left to say about this section.
Special Effects: 6/10
SOUNDTRACK
One of the best themes and soundtracks I've ever heard. I think that the Main Title is the crown jewel of this show because it defines its tone and has meaning. The blend of modern and classic music helps us understand the family's dynamics and what are their beliefs and ideas. The series offer a lot of variation of this single track and it's amazing. This show is top notch because this soundtrack exist.
Soundtrack: 9/10
COSTUMES
Well, at first doesn't seem to be anything interesting about them but after a while you'll understand that each character wears a certain kind of clothes and has a certain style to underline his personality in a different way. Sure, they aren't inventive or imaginative but in a way they're bonded to their character and it's good. Nonetheless it doesn't mean that this section is great, it's just decent and acceptable.
Costumes: 6/10
CONCLUSION
Script: 9/10
Acting: 9/10
Photography: 8/10
Editing: 8/10
Special Effects: 6/10
Soundtrack: 9/10
Costumes: 6/10
AVERAGE: 7,85
An amazing series which will keep you on the edge of your sets and show you that money aren't the solution.
Director: Mark Mylod
Screenplay: Jesse Armstrong
Cast: Hiam Abbass, Nicholas Braun, Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin, Peter Friedman, Natalie Gold, Matthew Macfadyen, Alan Ruck, Parker Sawyers, Sarah Snook, Jeremy Strong, Rob Yang, Dagmara Domińczyk, Arian Moayed, J. Smith-Cameron, Justine Lupe, David Rasche, Fisher Stevens
Soundtrack: Nicholas Britell
Running Time: 60 minutes
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