383. Web-series Reviews – 198

More web-series reviews…

 

Criminal Record – Came in 2024.  Follows two brilliant detectives in a tug of war over a historic murder conviction and the quest to find common ground in a polarized Britain.

A review from IDB...

Stellar leads make for great viewing

As Episode 1 of "Criminal Record; 2024 release from the UK; 8 episodes ranging from 43 to 53 min) opens, we are in London, and introduced to Chief Inspector Hagerty, who does an Uber-like gig on the side for extra money. In a parallel story, a woman is calling 999 (the British equivalent of our 911) to report domestic abuse by her boyfriend. Along the way, the caller makes an astonishing revelation about a crime committed in 2012... At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this crime mini-series is the brainchild of British writer and producer Paul Rutman ("Indian Summers"). Here he brings the story of how a Black man may have been wrongly convicted and imprisoned for a crime committed over a decade ago. The mini-series is plot heavy so the less said, the better. Suffice to say that it plots a senior cop who is a white male against a junior cop who is a Black female. Things are tense from the get-go. Check out the very first meeting (in Episode 1) between the two lead characters. To say things are awkward and uncomfortable would be a serious understatement. It also sets the table nicely for things to come. Not enough praise can be given to the lead performers: Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo are simply stellar, and the key reason why this miji-series makes for great viewing.

"Criminal Record" premiered on Apple TV a few weeks back. We are now exactly halfway through. The remainder 4 episodes will be released on Wednesday evenings. I just caught up with the initial 4 episodes, and can attest that there is good reason why "Criminal Record" us currently rated 90% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. If you are in the mood for a top quality crime mini-series, Id; readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

My Take – An excellent series!

 

Slow Horses – 6th season dropped in end-2024.  Slough House is a dumping ground for members of the intelligence service who've screwed up: left a service file on a train, blown a surveillance, or become drunkenly unreliable. They're the service's poor relations. The slow horses and most bitter among them is River Cartwright, whose days are spent transcribing mobile-phone conversations. But when a young man is abducted, and his kidnappers threaten to behead him live on the Internet, River sees an opportunity to redeem himself. But is the victim who he first appears to be? And what's the kidnappers' connection with a disgraced journalist? As the clock ticks on the execution, River finds that everyone involved has their own agenda.

A review from IMDB...

A true original that delivers unexpected delights

Slow Horses emerges as a superlative entry in the spy genre, subverting the glossy sheen of traditional espionage thrillers with a deliciously droll examination of MI5's departmental outcasts. Gary Oldman's Jackson Lamb - as sharp as they come hiding in a cloak of dishevellment is an original spymaster presiding over a cadre of disgraced agents - representing a magnificent departure from the archetypal intelligence chief. His performance is a masterclass in controlled chaos, each sardonic barb delivered with the precise timing of a veteran actor at the height of his powers.

The series' greatest triumph lies in its original and fresh plotting, which manages to be both cerebral and visceral. Where lesser shows telegraph the next twist, Slow Horses delights in wrong-footing its audience, constructing elaborate narrative feints. The writing demonstrates remarkable originality, allowing tensions to simmer beneath the surface of seemingly mundane bureaucratic operations before erupting into moments of startling violence.

The ensemble cast proves uniformly excellent, with Kristin Scott Thomas bringing ice-cold precision to Diana Taverner, and Jack Lowden imbuing River Cartwright with a perfect blend of wounded pride and desperate competence. Their interactions crackle with unspoken histories and shifting loyalties, creating a rich tapestry of interpersonal dynamics that elevates the material beyond stock territory.

What distinguishes Slow Horses is its commitment to deglamorizing espionage work and embedding it in today's political mess. The Slough House setting - with its perpetually malfunctioning heating and tragic break room - serves as both physical manifestation of its occupants' fallen status and pointed commentary on the unglamorous reality of modern today's Britain. The show finds dark humor in the mundane without sacrificing the gravity of its stakes, achieving a tonal balance that perhaps no other series manages.

In an era where streaming platforms churn out formulaic content, Slow Horses is a gift of the enduring potential of thoughtful, character-driven storytelling. It's a series that respects its audience's intelligence while delivering the visceral thrills expected of the genre, proving that sophistication and entertainment need not be mutually exclusive.

My Take – An excellent series!

 

Jai Mahendran – Came in 2024.  Mahendran, a corrupt deputy Tehsildar who plans to sabotage an entire system in an attempt to safeguard his job and restore his reputation.

A review from IMDB...

A political satire drama conveyed with light sarcasm and humour on the backdrop of a taluk office.

The plot of the story revolves around the daily affairs in and around the Taluk Office & about Mahendran,a crooked Deputy Tahsildar with political interests on how he uses his status for his advantage & how he manages to come out from a complex situation in his workplace.

Rahul Riji Nair has conceived the idea of the web series and has conveyed the story through a flawless and engaging script. The ambience and tone set for the Government Office was absolutely stunning and the filmmakers has excelled in giving the viewers an actual feel of going to a government local body office.

Srikanth Mohan has brilliantly executed the story with a spectacular cast and managed to impress undoubtedly in his debut directorial. Remarkable performance by Saiju Kurup as Mahendran with his subtle character portrayal and light humour moments in the series. Zhinz Shan,Suhasini,Rahul Riji Nair,Miya,Vishnu Govindan,Anand Manmadhan & Sidharth Siva has made impressive performances in the webseries. All the other casts especially in the office space has also made notable performances in the movie.

Kudos to Christy Sebastian for giving a complete entertainer with the crisp and fine cuts,Prathap Raveendran & Satheesh Nellaya for the brilliant set work and their effort in creating a nostalgic experience of a government office is really appreciable. Sidhartha Pradeep's BGM's,Vishnu's sound mixing and VFX/colour grading team gave more life to the movie as a whole.

A good story backed with flawless script keeps the audience completely hooked and entertained and anxiously keeps you wait for the next season.

My Take - Worth a watch!

Adios till next time😊!!