Posted on 05/03/2008 10:24:03 AM PDT by LS
Based on David McCullough's 2001 best-selling book, "John Adams," the HBO 7-part mini-series starring Paul Giamatti as John Adams and Laura Linney as Abigail Adams is as important for the message that it sends as it is for the history it conveys. Beginning with young attorney Adams's defense of the British soldiers on trial for the Boston Massacre (for whom he won an acquittal), the story follows the political career and personal life of Adams as he becomes a key member of the Continental Congress, editor/co-drafter of the Declaration of Independence, minister to France and England, vice president, then president.
Giamatti (whom I loved as boxer Jim Braddock's manager in "Cinderella Man") captures Adams's irascibility, his aloofness (especially to his family), his pig-headedness, and his complete lack of tact---most of the time. If Giamatti fails, it is in the common Hollywood tendency to whisper virtually ALL lines. I've never met any person who whispered one tenth as much as they do in Hollywood. So you sit with the Surround Sound up to 40, then a scene change, and cannon fire blows your windows out. Linney is equally good as the restrained Abigail, always able to speak frankly to John, and often the only one able to do so.
Other noteworthy performances are David Morse as George Washington, Tom Wilkinson as Ben Franklin, and Stephen Dillane as Thomas Jefferson. (Morse was good, but no one can replace Barry Bostwick in my heart as GW). Dillane portrays Jefferson as an elitist who only speaks for the masses, but never really "knows their pain." His accent is . . . I don't know what. Certainly not southern, but I'm not enough of an expert on regional dialects to know exactly what a Virginia dialect sounded like in 1800, only that I don't think it sounds like his.
Adams's defense of the British soldiers gave him a credibility that few others had, especially when he finally settled on resistance to England. It is noteworthy neither Adams nor Jefferson saw combat, yet, as Benjamin Rush (John Dossett) says in the last episode, Adams and Jefferson "thought for us all." It's an important point: someone has to constantly refine exactly what is at stake, and why a conflict is necessary (or, as Adams argues when it comes to France and England from 1796-1800, unnecessary). It is the very argument many conservatives have made about Pres. Bush---that he has not done a good enough job constantly reminding people why the struggle is both noble and demanded.
Precisely because Giamatti as Adams almost never devolves into sentimentality, the series seldom "grabs you" on an emotional level. One touching scene is when Washington and Adams are announced to the cheering crowd as the nation's first president and veep, with the image reinforcing the reality that without these two men---one arguing for independence, one fighting for it---the Revolution ever would have occurred. Indeed, if it had JUST been up to Jefferson, it's unlikely the Republic ever would have been born; but if it was just up to Adams, it's likely it would have been born a monarchy.
Without doubt, the most emotionally touching episodes are the final two, where Adams struggles with a family that has not lived up to his expectations (his daughter has married a ne'er do well, his son, broke, John Quincy, alienated and angry.) Repeatedly, we see that even if it was Adams's personality to be distant, the sacrifices he made for his country were immense, as were those of Washington and Jefferson, and, yes, Hamilton. No man's honor was beyond attack: on two occasions, Adams actually fears mobs may storm his quarters and kill him (along with President Washington, on the occasion of the Jay Treaty). Like Adams, Jefferson lost a wife during his political career. Both, despite a mutual friendship, were torn nearly til the end of their days by political/ideological rifts that led them to say and do things they later regretted. In short, both men, to the good of the nation, neglected their own kin.
The most touching scene of the series comes when Adams disowns his derelict son for defaming the family name. Even at death he could not forgive him. An equally emotional scene occurs with the death of Abigail, whom Adams calls, as he weeps, "My friend. My friend." Indeed, for most of the series, John and Abigail appear to have a marriage that has transcended romance to an even higher plane---two sides of one personality.
Never let it be forgot that these people who founded our nation were human; yet at the same time, they were superhuman, for their sacrifices were enormous and made with full knowledge of the cost. I would rather have a John Adams, bad policies and all, than most of the modern politicians, regardless of their policies, for good character is impossible to add after the fact.
I look forward to getting it on instant view/Netflix
I really enjoyed the series...I thought it was well done.
We thought this series was fabulous! I can’t stop talking about it and we will probably buy it when it becomes available.
I’ve heard it was excellent; very glad to see your thoughts.
Part 2 dealing with the Continental Congress was so good
that we watched it three times.The girl who plays Adam’s
son Charles wife is Meryl Streep’s daughter.
I think few know that Jefferson and Adams, even with their differences, were close friends and died on the same day, July 4.
It is good. It starts and ends a bit slow, but is excellent in between.
I cringed when their daughter had breast cancer and they removed her breast with no anesthetic. Yikes! That surgical 'knife' was enough to make any woman cringe. I don't blame her for not wanting to have a second surgery when the cancer reappeared. Death would be much kinder, IMHO.
I came away from the series with a new found respect and admiration for our founding fathers and their families.
Abigail was my favorite. She was an incredible woman. Graceful, loving and strong. I don't think I could have survived in those times. I'm too spoiled. LOL
That having been said, I'm sure our founding fathers are spinning in their graves when they see what corrupt politicians have done to the country they loved so much. They sacrificed so much to make this Republic the greatest country in the world!
Do you know if it's going to air again? I missed part of one episode and would like to watch it again.
And, no, you did not want to have surgery of ANY sort back then. Washington had a tumor cut out of his abdomen without anesthesia. Unbelievable pain associated with medical procedures back then.
Howd’ja like those teeth? Makes you want to go floss, right?
My granddaughter knows that, but, after all, she is a fifth grader.
I loved the series, but the book was even better.
Have to disagree. I thought the series did a great job in showcasing Adams as a "federalist" believing in a strong federal government and a forerunner of todays democrats. Jefferson is accurately portrayed as a strong believer in individual rights.
One of the most telling passages in the series is where Adams speaks disparagingly of Jefferson: "he considers himself a republican and believes in the sovereignty of the individual, harrumph!"
I also thought the series was great. It made me get out McCullough’s book and finish it. I am now reading “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow. The book is excellent and believe me Thomas Jefferson was a pure liberal who wouldn’t condone Hamilton’s policies even as they were working. He was subversive also just as he was portrayed in the miniseries. Amazing what some reading will do. I thought I knew some history.
I was hoping that you or someone might have seen or heard an announcement that they would play all of the episodes back to back again.
And, no, you did not want to have surgery of ANY sort back then. Washington had a tumor cut out of his abdomen without anesthesia. Unbelievable pain associated with medical procedures back then.
I can only imagine what it would have been like. I've had a lot of surgeries, and even with pain medication, I've felt a lot of pain. I've got a pretty high tolerance level for pain too. I honestly don't know how they could bear it.
I got goosebumps when George Washington took his oath of office for the first time. Almost made me feel like I felt when Ronald Reagan was sworn in.
I was very humbled at how little I remember of John Adams. The series was great- it reminded me how hard life was for our forefathers. We have much to be thankful for today.
CLick on the "HBO JOHN ADAMS" link for the John Adams Trailer with DELETED scenes not shown on TV!
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