I was very skeptical when I sat down to watch this. I loved the book when I read it a long time ago, but had a hard time imagining how the concept could possibly be stretched over a series. Nor had I heard anything about the show, and its currently in its fifth season.
The pilot is taken from the book, an excellent dramatization of Stephen Kings thriller, and a perfect appetizer for those of us who has read it. Then the series continues on its own, and although it occasionally suffers from the absence of the original author, most episodes are excellent -- Sporting engaging plots and good acting.
I consider this to be the best of any Stephen King adaptation. The tale is most effectively set against a chilly, winter, almost monochrome backdrop, which cleverly matches the mounting sense of cold dread as the story unfolds. No, its not 'gory' or 'in your face scary'... its not meant to be that sort of movie. The effect is far more subtle than that, and for me, all the more entertaining than some predictable, formulaic and juvenile 'slasher/bloodfest' type of presentation. This is a genuinely engrossing psychological thriller, beautifully portrayed by both Christopher Walken and Martin Sheen, which inexorably builds towards its edge-of-the- seat climax. You will not be disappointed...
I'm interested to read the opinions of those who didn't like it. I found it a wonderfully crafted piece of drama about a period of history that informs our lives today, that I had no previous knowledge of. I think what Estevez was trying to do is to reawaken the spirit of RFK, whose message is relevent and infectious, for a new generation growing up in a world without good leaders. I've since been inspired to learn more about Robert Kennedy and I have to say, I prefer this treatment over the treatment Oliver Stone gives JFK's assassination, which does little to preserve the man and his legacy for my generation of 20-somethings.
I really enjoyed the movie and I'd recommed it to anyone who has little knowledge of that era
Emilio Estevez returns from the wilderness to write and direct this multi-strand drama about a group of disparate characters gathered at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on the night of Robert Kennedy's assassination. Threads include the fading alcoholic star (Moore), the young married couple trying to dodge the draft, the adulterous hotel manager (Macy), and tension among black and Hispanic kitchen workers. None of the stories are particularly interesting or original and the endless star spotting does eventually become a distraction ("Ooh look, it's Ashton Kutcher"). Worthy yes, but it sure ain't subtle, though there are moments of quiet power among the deep fried cheese. Whenever Kennedy is seen or heard, it's a maddening, saddening glimpse into a cruelly snatched better world, even if the film serves mostly to deify him. And, not to spoil the ending, he gets shot.
I think that this programme is one of the best things to have come out of america in a long time. Firstly the casting of martin sheen as potus (president of the united states) was first class. The other cast members do an amazing job and I think that the script and production of the show are amazing. The stories that they cover and the way that they resolve the problems of american politics truly show that if only they were in charge, then maybe there would be hope for more and more people around the world. People need to watch this show just to truly appreciate the way that american politics should be conducted.
Right from the very start The West Wing showed a huge amount of humour and drama in the show. Probably doing more to help people round the world understand american politics and its weird little quirks. It never made out that those these people who were the good guys got it right all the time. To start with they seemed to find it hard to get it right at any time. They tackled the hardest of topics with wonderful writing and just the right amount of humour and drama. The characters were instantly loveable and it did leave you wishing that the people who represent us could be more like them. You could tell that in real life that the actors got on well and this was mirrored in the characters. When it ended I was upset, it felt like saying goodbye to some old friends. Imagine my joy when I discovered that the whole show was being rerun right from the very start with no long breaks between seasons.
