Memorial Day is just around the corner. As is tradition, war movies and films about military life are usually the fare aptly supplied on channels like TCM. At the cinemas, however, this seems to be a different story. My plan was to view Civil War, the latest from writer/director Alex Garland. Wading into that discourse proved a bit challenging. His polarizing hot takes tend to divide both audiences and critics alike. Besides, from what I have seen, this feels like a film less to do with politics than what division does to its citizens. History does have a way of repeating itself but also is much stranger than fiction. So, I took another path and am here recommend a real American Civil War story.
Manhunt, on Apple TV Plus, presents the events leading up to and after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln as well as the search for John Wilkes Booth. Upon watching the episodes unfold, I was stuck by how much of the story I didn’t know. Lincoln being one of many planned attacks, the audience becomes aware of this just one episode in. Impressive sets and costuming being life to iconography that seems ancient. Although the seeds of political debate are set firmly in the past, some pointed dialogue is spewed squarely at current events. The word insurrection has a new modern meaning, regardless of contemporary use within the timeline of the miniseries.
Tobas Menzies makes a compelling case for why he needs to get more work. His Edwin Stanton is fierce and intense when it comes to the titular chase for Booth. His dedication propels the narrative, making for a very engaging protagonist. From those who watched Masters of the Air, you might find this a bit jarring when you see Booth. Anthony Boyle, who narrated as Major Harry Crosby in Masters, plays the actor turned assassin with such fervor and zeal that he’s downright chilling.
Watching the intrigue between Stanton and the new appointed President Johnson was engaging from a history standpoint. All of this culminates in a finale that feels ripped from today’s headlines as much as from a textbook.
Not to rest on its laurels, Apple TV began another series on Manhunt’s coat tails. This time, we transported further back to the rumblings of American independence. Franklin comes to us from the writers and producers behind 2008’s John Adams with Paul Giamatti. This is quite interesting when Adams shows up in episode four. Michael Douglas steps into Doctor Franklin’s shoes effortlessly, donning the famous long hair which he wears with calculated mischievousness.
The Doctor has come to France to gain allegiance with King Louis XVI, as well as a hefty dowery of money and ammunition. And as the episodes go, this becomes a courtship (which is funny again when you get to the middle point. Drawing room deals and hushed conversations in hallways are all well and good; but this could try the patience of some viewers, in French or English. Only halfway through, we barely feel like much progress has happened.
But if one looks at this as a character piece, you will find a rewarding take on this Founding Father. Douglas is just the right actor to play both a shrewd tactician and a humorous cad, sometimes within the same sentence. There is never a dull moment when he is on screen. The rest of the cast is apt to be perfect foils to him. As of time of writing, I am not sure where this show goes at the midway point now. But I am sure happy to go along for the ride.
