Female Film Critics 24/375
If you’re intrigued by fanaticism and the corruption of political power, binge the new Netflix miniseries Death by Lighting, revolving around the assassination of James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States. This historical drama begins in 1969 at the Army Medical Museum where a cleaning crew discovers a jar containing the brain of Charles J. Guiteau who crossed paths with then-Ohio Congressman James Garfield back in 1880.
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Set in the Utah Territory circa 1857, Netflix’s American Primeval rectifies any mistaken impression that the pioneers settling in the Old American West – a.k.a. Manifest Destiny – had embarked on a romantic adventure. Scripted by Mark L. Smith (The Revenant) and directed by Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights), this ‘authentic’ limited series is largely fiction but draws on many verified violent Utah ‘origin’ stories, joining other ‘realistic’ historical releases like The English, Meek’s Cutoff, The Power of the Dog and Killers of the Flower Moon.
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Writer director Jeffrey Reiner’s downbeat crime-comedy road trip Lake George is a masterclass from stars Carrie Coon and Shea Whigham in crafting characters it’s impossible not to root for. Although wearing its numerous influences on its sleeve, Reiner’s handling of tone in his (sunlight) neo-noir is nimble and sure footed enough to keep the audience from guessing exactly where and when the rug pulls will come. Sharp dialogue by Reiner delivered with significant comedic aplomb and dramatic pathos by Coon and Whigham makes Lake George a fine piece of entertainment relying on character over thrills. When Carrie Coon and Shea Whigham are in the driver’s seat as leads – it’s a thrill in itself.
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After the resounding success of Yellowstone and its two prequels (1883, 1923), Taylor Sheridan produced another Western series: Lawmen: Bass Reeves. Interweaving fact with fiction, its eight episodes follow the first Black deputy U.S. Marshall who served west of the Mississippi River. Currently vying for Emmy consideration as a limited/anthology series, its compelling lead actor is versatile David Oyelowo (Selma).
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