Written by: Kevin Berge
The man loves his family and loves his horses, probably the horses more though. (Image Courtesy of: bbc.co.uk)
Quick Take: Peaky Blinders Season 1 explores family drama in a 1920s period piece with cinematic flair that has more interesting characters than interesting stories to tell. While it leaves much room for growth, it is still a good opening ride that opens up a world ripe with engaging stories to tell of already engaging characters.
Peaky Blinders Reviews: Season 2 | 3 | 4
***This is an introduction to the world and characters of Peaky Blinders and will not contain spoilers beyond the set-up of the story being told. Feel free to read ahead without having knowledge of the series.***
The first thing to immediately notice when watching Peaky Blinders is that it is not really a TV show at all. Its cinematic flair, grimy but memorable sets, and quiet and confident acting are far more big screen than one aspects from a television program, not to mention its mere six episodes per season length.
This is not uncommon of BBC programs which are far more condensed entertainment than more long-form American programs. While not everything about British television is clearly an upgrade on American, this is absolutely welcome, making sure that Peaky Blinders is a tight knit dramatic experience from start to finish.
The show focuses on the Shelby family and their Romani/Irish 1920s gang, the Peaky Blinders. Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) is the leader and mastermind who works with his aunt Polly Gray (Helen McCrory) as well as his brothers Arthur Jr. (Paul Anderson) and John (Joe Cole) to grow the family business.
The gangster family could be seen as antiheroes, playing an ambiguous role in their community with a tight grip on others including daughter Ada (Sophie Rundle), communist leader Freddie Thorne (Iddo Goldberg), and newcomer Irish barmaid Grace Shelby (Annabelle Wallis), but they are also constantly in conflict with antagonists particularly the police led by Chester Campbell (Sam Neill).
The story keeps a strong grip on its own moral grays with Tommy far from a good man. However, with World War I just in the rear view of this series, the effects of that fighting shape these characters and often make them sympathetic. Tommy in particular shows a quiet vulnerability when the war's effects return to him.
The war itself is an interesting character in the tale, making it difficult to tell how much affect it is having on the actions of those in the Peaky Blinders. Tommy is disillusioned while Paul suffers from PTSD that makes dangerously unpredictable. Meanwhile, Campbell's own lack of lasting service makes Tommy look down on him even underestimate him.
***This is an introduction to the world and characters of Peaky Blinders and will not contain spoilers beyond the set-up of the story being told. Feel free to read ahead without having knowledge of the series.***
The first thing to immediately notice when watching Peaky Blinders is that it is not really a TV show at all. Its cinematic flair, grimy but memorable sets, and quiet and confident acting are far more big screen than one aspects from a television program, not to mention its mere six episodes per season length.
This is not uncommon of BBC programs which are far more condensed entertainment than more long-form American programs. While not everything about British television is clearly an upgrade on American, this is absolutely welcome, making sure that Peaky Blinders is a tight knit dramatic experience from start to finish.
The show focuses on the Shelby family and their Romani/Irish 1920s gang, the Peaky Blinders. Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) is the leader and mastermind who works with his aunt Polly Gray (Helen McCrory) as well as his brothers Arthur Jr. (Paul Anderson) and John (Joe Cole) to grow the family business.
The gangster family could be seen as antiheroes, playing an ambiguous role in their community with a tight grip on others including daughter Ada (Sophie Rundle), communist leader Freddie Thorne (Iddo Goldberg), and newcomer Irish barmaid Grace Shelby (Annabelle Wallis), but they are also constantly in conflict with antagonists particularly the police led by Chester Campbell (Sam Neill).
The story keeps a strong grip on its own moral grays with Tommy far from a good man. However, with World War I just in the rear view of this series, the effects of that fighting shape these characters and often make them sympathetic. Tommy in particular shows a quiet vulnerability when the war's effects return to him.
The war itself is an interesting character in the tale, making it difficult to tell how much affect it is having on the actions of those in the Peaky Blinders. Tommy is disillusioned while Paul suffers from PTSD that makes dangerously unpredictable. Meanwhile, Campbell's own lack of lasting service makes Tommy look down on him even underestimate him.
Never has there been a more beautiful love story especially where he tries to sell her off on the first date to another man. (Image Courtesy of: pinterest.com)
It is good to Cillian Murphy (Inception) in a lead commanding role after so long playing secondary roles particularly for Christopher Nolan. He commands the series with a subtle performance that straddles the line between likability and frightening danger.
Helen McCrory (Skyfall) is another clear standout in the cast who manages to sell an air of strength next to Murphy that makes it easy to question whether she should have the most control over the group. While his accent can take over (though is solid unlike some clear weak links), Sam Neill (Jurassic Park) is fun to watch here as is Annabelle Walis (Annabelle).
A huge benefit of a short season is consistency in writing and direction. The first three episodes open up with some impressive direction by Otto Bathurst that brings focus to the actors' smaller emotional moments and sells the world perfectly. He also adds disorientation to the action to showcase its severity. Tom Harper directs the second half with less of that flair but does a better job pushing along the story.
The writing primarily from creator Steven Knight (Eastern Promises) sells the era with quick slang-heavy dialogue that pushes along a plot that often can feel like it is set dressing in a story of characters. The characters are so unique that the actual plot developments can creep up as Tommy's scheming comes together.
Peaky Blinders has a heavy and diverse soundtrack that it often relies upon which might be its strongest weakness in its first season. The largely period focused show oddly jumps all over the place with its background music which sometimes feels jarring including current sharp-edged rock that is too obtuse.
At its core, this is a story about a disfunctional family who cannot seem to get along and are always seeking something more than what is right in front of them. It's touching and complex with a web of interconnected stories all with fairly unclear directions which makes for a fun ride.
As a whole, this first season sparks with intrigue and heart. It hardly slows down and feels memorably cinematic. Even if its focus is a bit unclear, it is easy and engrossing watching with a strong period focus from the start. There is clearly much here to explore and better stories yet to be told.
Helen McCrory (Skyfall) is another clear standout in the cast who manages to sell an air of strength next to Murphy that makes it easy to question whether she should have the most control over the group. While his accent can take over (though is solid unlike some clear weak links), Sam Neill (Jurassic Park) is fun to watch here as is Annabelle Walis (Annabelle).
A huge benefit of a short season is consistency in writing and direction. The first three episodes open up with some impressive direction by Otto Bathurst that brings focus to the actors' smaller emotional moments and sells the world perfectly. He also adds disorientation to the action to showcase its severity. Tom Harper directs the second half with less of that flair but does a better job pushing along the story.
The writing primarily from creator Steven Knight (Eastern Promises) sells the era with quick slang-heavy dialogue that pushes along a plot that often can feel like it is set dressing in a story of characters. The characters are so unique that the actual plot developments can creep up as Tommy's scheming comes together.
Peaky Blinders has a heavy and diverse soundtrack that it often relies upon which might be its strongest weakness in its first season. The largely period focused show oddly jumps all over the place with its background music which sometimes feels jarring including current sharp-edged rock that is too obtuse.
At its core, this is a story about a disfunctional family who cannot seem to get along and are always seeking something more than what is right in front of them. It's touching and complex with a web of interconnected stories all with fairly unclear directions which makes for a fun ride.
As a whole, this first season sparks with intrigue and heart. It hardly slows down and feels memorably cinematic. Even if its focus is a bit unclear, it is easy and engrossing watching with a strong period focus from the start. There is clearly much here to explore and better stories yet to be told.