Netflix: DEATH BY LIGHTNING

[jeezifonly]

Death By Lightning - a new 4ep limited series about the events leading up to the assassination of President James Garfield is definitely worth checking out. 

For Sondheim fans, the name Charles Guiteau is familiar from the musical Assassins. Playing Guiteau, Matthew MacFadyen turns in another great performance in a quirky character role, marrying danger with innocence in that way he has. Michael Shannon in a full beard is compelling as Garfield and totally a yummy daddy bear. Brad Whitford and Nick Offerman also excellent.

One historian said that what moved him about the show, was how it highlighted the loss of a truly intelligent and decent leader whose true potential for post-war national healing was never realized, cut short by one man with easily hurt feelings. I agree.  

Production values, direction, photography and supporting cast very strong. If you're a history buff, or just love facial hair, give it a go and let us know what you think. 

[+ poolboy48220]

I really liked this, but found myself wondering if it was a bit whitewashed; was Garfield really *that* progressive? Difficult to tell how that would have worked out given his brief time in office. And did Chester Arthur really make such a pivot from an a-hole to a good man?

Edited November 16 by poolboy48220

[+ azdr0710]

just finished it.......fun (if that can be said) production, pleasant to watch, not too long (I'm going to watch Ken Burns' new show on the American Revolution starting tonight and am girding myself for the famously long episodes, though I love his productions).....

good comments by @poolboy48220 above......all characters seem to have had their reputations (good or bad) exaggerated for the sake of movie melodrama......Matthew MacFadyen fantastic as Guiteau...... 

ending a bit sentimental/misty as the Garfield family (minus James) sits to an outdoor meal (Martha Stewart would be happy) under utterly beautiful skies amid swelling inspirational music......

recommended.....good review of an obscure part of US history......  

[pubic_assistance]

2 hours ago, azdr0710 said:

Matthew MacFadyen fantastic as Guiteau...... 

Agreed.

Always an admirer of his acting skills.

My favorite Mr. Darcy. 

 

Edited November 17 by pubic_assistance
grammar

[jeezifonly]

15 hours ago, poolboy48220 said:

I really liked this, but found myself wondering if it was a bit whitewashed; was Garfield really *that* progressive? Difficult to tell how that would have worked out given his brief time in office. And did Chester Arthur really make such a pivot from an a-hole to a good man?

I think "that progressive" in 1880 was perhaps being civil to black people - it was his own party that regarded him as progressive. Likely, he was practical, from a war survivor's POV. And in order to keep it to 4eps, while splitting the story between victim and assassin, political nuance from the book on which it's based probably wound up on the cutting room floor. 

Edited November 17 by jeezifonly

[MikeBiDude]

I finished it up last night…enjoyed it. Didn’t realize until the end while watching credits that the Game of Thrones guys were part of the producing team.