Can I just say, right off the bat - M A S T E R P I E C E.
And for emphasis again - MASTERPIECE
This is truly the best of the best. I rank it in the pantheon of top shows right beside The Wire and Breaking Bad.
The acting is out of this world. Benicio Del Toro of course, but also Paul Dano - brilliant. David Morse, Eric Lange - amazing. And what word can one summon that would exceed "brilliant" - I don't even know how to compliment the insanely brilliant performance by Patricia Arquette (she won a Golden Globe for it).
But if possible there is an even greater achievement - the superb, best of the best directing by of all people, Ben Stiller. Never in a million years would I have suspected Stiller of being capable of something like this. I mean, this is the very, very, very best directing for TV that I have ever seen, bar none. Now, in general, I have rarely been impressed by direction for TV, I think there isn't much directing talent out there, whereas there are gobs of talented actors. But Ben Stiller, man. The camera work, pacing, shot choice, editing, the cinematography (OK, that's not Stiller, but he is ultimately responsible for the look). The freaky good sound - rare! Excellent choice of music throughout. The art direction. Holy Moses, this is just beyond. I'm a prolific complainer and nitpicker, but I can hardly find a thing to nitpick here, it's simply superb.
If you have any interest in TV at all - see this. I mean, life is not complete without having seen this show.
And for emphasis again - MASTERPIECE
This is truly the best of the best. I rank it in the pantheon of top shows right beside The Wire and Breaking Bad.
The acting is out of this world. Benicio Del Toro of course, but also Paul Dano - brilliant. David Morse, Eric Lange - amazing. And what word can one summon that would exceed "brilliant" - I don't even know how to compliment the insanely brilliant performance by Patricia Arquette (she won a Golden Globe for it).
But if possible there is an even greater achievement - the superb, best of the best directing by of all people, Ben Stiller. Never in a million years would I have suspected Stiller of being capable of something like this. I mean, this is the very, very, very best directing for TV that I have ever seen, bar none. Now, in general, I have rarely been impressed by direction for TV, I think there isn't much directing talent out there, whereas there are gobs of talented actors. But Ben Stiller, man. The camera work, pacing, shot choice, editing, the cinematography (OK, that's not Stiller, but he is ultimately responsible for the look). The freaky good sound - rare! Excellent choice of music throughout. The art direction. Holy Moses, this is just beyond. I'm a prolific complainer and nitpicker, but I can hardly find a thing to nitpick here, it's simply superb.
If you have any interest in TV at all - see this. I mean, life is not complete without having seen this show.