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Amazon.co.uk Review
Based on David McCullough's bestselling biography, the HBO miniseries John Adams is the furthest thing from a starry-eyed look at America's founding fathers and the brutal path to independence. Adams (Paul Giamatti), second president of the United States, is portrayed as a skilled orator and principled attorney whose preference for justice over anti-English passions earns enemies. But he also gains the esteem of the first national government of the United States, i.e., the Continental Congress, which seeks non-firebrands capable of making a reasoned if powerful case for America's break from England's monarchy. The first thing one notices about John Adams' dramatisations of congress' proceedings, and the fervent pro-independence violence in the streets of Boston and elsewhere, is that America's roots don't look pretty or idealised here. Some horrendous things happen in the name of protest, driving Adams to push the cause of independence in a legitimate effort to get on with a revolutionary war under the command of George Washington. But the process isn't easy: not every one of the 13 colonies-turned-states is ready to incur the wrath of England, and behind-the-scenes negotiations prove as much a part of 18th century congressional sessions as they do today. Besides this peek into a less-romanticised version of the past, John Adams is also a story of the man himself. Adams' frustration at being forgotten or overlooked at critical junctures of America's early development--sent abroad for years instead of helping to draft the U.S. constitution--is detailed. So is his dismay that the truth of what actually transpired leading to the signing of the Declaration of Independence has been slowly forgotten and replaced by a rosier myth. But above all, John Adams is the story of two key ties: Adams' 54-year marriage to Abigail Adams (Laura Linney), every bit her husband's intellectual equal and anchor, and his difficult, almost symbiotic relationship with Thomas Jefferson (Stephen Dillane) over decades. Giamatti, of course, has to carry much of the drama, and if he doesn't always seem quite believable in the series' first half, he becomes increasingly excellent at the point where an aging Adams becomes bitter over his place in history. Linney is marvelous, as is Dillane, Sarah Polley as daughter Nabby, Danny Huston as cousin Samuel Adams, and above all Tom Wilkinson as a complex but indispensable Ben Franklin. --Tom Keogh
DVD Description
Starring Paul Giamatti (Sideways, Cinderella Man, HBO's American Splendor) in the title role and Laura Linney (You Can Count On Me, Kinsey) as Adams' devoted wife Abigail, John Adams chronicles the extraordinary life journey of one of the primary shapers of our independence and government, whose legacy has often been eclipsed by more flamboyant contemporaries like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin. Set against the backdrop of a nation's stormy birth, this sweeping miniseries is a moving love story, a gripping narrative, and a fascinating study of human nature. Above all, at a time when the nation is increasingly polarised politically, this story celebrates the shared values of liberty and freedom upon which this country was built.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
114 of 116 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A gritty and honest classic,
By
This review is from: John Adams - The Complete HBO Series [DVD] (DVD)
This is not the story of the US war of independence, nor is this the story of the founding fathers. This really is the story of John Adams the second president of the United States.
The mini series goes to great lengths to show the events leading up to 1776 as not just one way. Indeed it's refreshing to show such an even handed account of the causes of the war of revolution. This is underlined by Adams at first despising and then defending a troop of British Red Coats for firing into a crowd of civilians. The war of independence is of course the backdrop for most of the series and yet very little of it is shown, there is a standout scene where Adams is in a brief sea battle but this is largely a costume drama more in the vein of Barry Lyndon than Pride and Prejudice. Everyone has bad teeth, the sets appear to be naturally lit and the clothing all looks very authentic. Indeed if I have one grumble is that there are too many scenes where people are whispering to one another meaning you are constantly turning up and down the volume on your remote. The location shots are lavish; we have Versailles, Hampton Court, sea battles, court rooms and huge (computer enhanced) crowd scenes. The production values are that of a film, the acting is always faultless with the best of both sides of the Atlantic taking this project very seriously and often it's the unspoken details that count. The decadence of the French Court is implied but never really discussed and the meeting between John Adams and George the third is a master class in what not to say to make a scene work. This is a very classy retelling of a fascinating man in a fascinating time, this is well worth a few evenings to watch and enjoy.
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
TV historical drama does not get much better,
By Mr. Stephen Kennedy "skenn1701a" (Doha, Qatar) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: John Adams - The Complete HBO Series [DVD] (DVD)
Occasionally a TV drama comes along that makes you regret using 5 stars on something else, just so you can say this one is that much better. This is one of those!
From start to end, we are presented with a compelling drama, which is not only reeks of authenticity (though of course, what do I know - I'm not an historian..) but is an absorbing portrayal of a couple in love, a family in motion, and the birth of a nation. Paul Giamatti is simply superb casting to play John Adams - a man who is not portrayed as charismatic or `pretty' but clever, sincere, moral and committed. Events start with the Boston Massacre, leading up to the Boston Tea Party, the War of Independence (unseen for the most part since Adams spent most of the time in Europe), the drafting of the Constitution and of course his term as the second president of the United States, before his retirement years. It's not told as a simplistic TV movie of the week triumph in hard times, but is told as a well rounded look at the man through fascinating historical times. Some victories, some defeats, some frustrations, but most of all the relationships with people he knew. Most fascinating of these was his wife Abigail, portrayed in definitive form by the ever adaptable Laura Linney. It seems the story of one is equally the story of the other, so intertwined are their stories. And then there are other supporting cast members, David Morse as Washington, Stephen Dillane as Thomas Jefferson and Tom Wilkinson having a blast as Benjamin Franklin. Events are never told with rose coloured glasses.. this is warts and all, and even handed, showing Adam's frustrations and bitternesses as well as his successes, and indeed also the country's sometimes ugly birth pangs as it discovers its identity. There is little in the way of big budget battle scenes, the battles are for the most part off screen. And yet despite often being a talking heads exercise, the canvas seems writ large, giving the impression at times that we really are looking through a window to the times, rather than a cleaned up portrayal of it. Recommended, for both those interested in a pivotal time in history, and those interested in the development of a fascinating character and those around him.
54 of 60 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gripping Review of History,
By
This review is from: John Adams - The Complete HBO Series [DVD] (DVD)
This portrayal of the progression in the definition of democracy and freedom as developed by the American forefathers is gripping and inspiring. "John Adams" is human and beautifully depicts this critical moment in history, showing that through conflict, disagreements, challenging ideas and thoughts, a people can form a seemingly unreachable way of governing. I particularly enjoyed the representations of the stark differences in policy between John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and other forefathers. The acting was terrific, script well-written. I highly recommend this series to all individuals of all ages from all backgrounds.
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