Trust No Man Living With Power To Endanger The Public Liberty.
No one should have enough power to threaten the freedom of the public.
——John Adams
HBO's another masterpiece, beautifully produced, the performance of the actors is almost impeccable.
Although there is no big scene like "Brothers", "John Adams" has an inherent excitement.
If you are interested in the pioneers of democracy and freedom in the United States; if you are interested in how humans pursue their own development and liberation; if you are interested in a maverick character in the torrent of the times; this is a movie you cannot miss Episodes.
Join or Die,
Independence,
Don’t Tread on Me,
Reunion,
Unite or Die,
Unnecessary War,
Peacefield,
"John Adams"
John Adams
TV: HBO
premiere: March 16, 2008
Award:
23 Emmy nominations, 13 awards-
film/miniseries art director; film/miniseries casting; photography; Costume; Best Actor; Best Actress; Best Miniseries; Makeup; Sound Editing; Sound Effects Synthesis; Best Special Effects; Best Supporting Actor; Best Screenplay
Golden Globe Award-
Best TV Movie/Miniseries Set Awards; Best Actor; Best Actress; Best Supporting Actor
John Adams, John is the most popular name, and Adams is the first name of the first person in Christianity. This combination seems to be a portrayal of this American sage who is both ordinary and unique throughout his life. In terms of fame, John Adams is far behind George Washington, Benjamin Franklin or Thomas Jefferson. But I think that HBO chose to shoot a TV series with John Adams as the protagonist. It is very clever: his life and relatives, his successes and failures, his ideas and concepts are better than those of the top celebrities. More interesting. From the story of John Adams, we can see what history has overlooked and missed. What he provides us with is a more objective and calm perspective.
Before recommending it, I want to remind you that "John Adams" is not a very "good-looking" series. There are no lively big scenes, no tense and suspenseful plots, and no gorgeous and gorgeous scenes. Seven episodes and more than eight hours are a test of patience for many people. What I can assure you is that this is an exquisite TV series-it can even be said that it is better than "Brothers" and "Western Wind" to some extent.
Presidential team
13 Emmy Awards, 4 Golden Globe Awards for important TV dramas. "John Adams" is undoubtedly a huge success, just like HBO's previous masterpieces. The crew of this TV series is really very powerful and luxurious: HBO leads the production; BBC provides help; behind it is the support of two big names Tom Hanks and Spielberg (Hanks is an executive producer, he The play stone company is also the producer of the series); director Tom Hope is an Englishman. His last TV film "Longford" also won the Golden Globe Award, and he also directed well-received TV series "Queen Elizabeth". The strong taste of the classic British historical drama shown in this play should be attributed to him. In addition, this play does not adopt the method of multiple directors like "Brothers" or "Western Storm". It is completely directed by Tom Hope alone. The series is more like a big movie, with a complete and unified style; one of the screenwriters, Curt Ellis, has participated in "Western Storm". Not to mention the cast. Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney are both the best middle-aged actors in the United States today. They rarely participated in TV series before, and they both shined in this series; In addition to the two protagonists, there are also a large number of excellent British actors in the series, such as old drama Tom Wilkinson, Stephen Dearland, Rufus Seville, emerging actor Samuel Barnett, and Canada The talented actress Sara Polly and so on. This line-up team makes the drama almost no short legs, and every character, regardless of size, is quite appropriate.
The
production of real-life dramas is also very luxurious. In order to achieve the best results, the crew has taken more than 110 days of filming and framing in many places in Hungary (think "Rome" does not have such a good treatment); , Makeup, special effects and other aspects are also very rigorous in production, and strive to conform to the truth of history. What’s more commendable is that the show didn’t abuse the current special effects/CG technology, and only used it when necessary, which almost made you undetectable-in the inauguration of Washington, in order to show that scene, the actual actors only had more than 80 Every few seconds of shooting, the actors in front of the green screen have to exchange positions and various flags, wine glasses and other props in their hands, and they have to move 30 feet away from the place where they just stood. The sight of thousands of people.
Let’s just talk about clothing. From the 1790s to the 1820s, clothing has been constantly changing. To faithful to the history, the costume artists put up a chart at their working place to show the waistcoat, collar, hat, skirt and skirt angle. , Wigs, and so on. When setting up a set, you often hear them correct the placement of something: "No, no, the age is wrong." There are many details that may not be noticed by the audience. For example, some of the skirts of the female characters in the play use pillows. Instead, because this was the case when the United States was scarce.
In terms of makeup, the play is also very credible. In order to show the truth, in the scene of the inauguration in Washington, all actors have to apply a sticky paint on their teeth to avoid the clean and bleached teeth of modern people from being exposed to the lens-correspondingly, the role of the working class Get more shots than business people to show their ugly smiles. In addition, you can also notice a detail that has been handled very well: as John Adams and Abigail age, their age spots are slowly increasing (unlike some movies and TV shows that the characters seem to get old suddenly); What's more detailed is that their teeth also appear more and more dirty and black, so that the audience will not see the dying old man still full of teeth.
The photography of the series is also quite commendable. It draws on the current popular DV shooting style. It is no longer the stable and traditional lens shot with Steadicam, but uses a lot of "Dutch Angles" (Dutch Angles)—— It is the kind of angled lens. In previous films, it was mostly used to express inner tension, fear, anxiety and other emotions. The most famous is the film "The Third Man". The photography style of the whole play pursues realistic, objective and natural, highlighting the emotional changes of the characters. The location and the French court are very beautiful and bright. If you pay attention to the difference in photography style when Adams was in Holland and France, it is easy to realize the intention of the series in this regard.
In a
series of biographical dramas, the performance of the actors is more critical than that of "Brothers" or "Western Storm". If you are the kind of audience who likes to watch performances, this drama will definitely feast your eyes on you.
John Adams (played by Paul Giamatti)
The chubby Mr. John Adams played by Paul Giamatti does not seem to boil down to the appearance or the godlikeness-because he seems to have created a John Adams: this person is full of idealism, enthusiasm, paranoia, self-esteem and desire Recognized, full of justice, irritable, like to speak and even a little nagging... His tone and actions can make you forget that this is a role played by a modern actor, and plunge into the heart of the character Paul brought.
Paul Giamatti’s performance allowed this Adams to slowly grow up in more than eight hours of drama, rather than being static from appearance. We can see the idealism he cherished from the very beginning when he litigated the British soldiers. After experiencing many things in the middle, he treated the words "freedom and democracy" more and more cautiously. We have seen that Adams is often in anxiety, anxiety and even deep doubt and disappointment-this role is far from what the "hero" and "great man" in general biographical films can summarize. Under Paul Giamatti’s interpretation, Adams’ reliance on his wife and even his attachment to his son’s orthodox and even trite preaching and restraint (the reality is sometimes so complicated, Adams, who is not a perfect father, has cultivated a He was the son of the sixth US president); the harshness and affection for his son-in-law (actually too fair); the affection for the seriously ill daughter...all make the role full and true. When you see the tearful and uncontrollable expression when Adams broke off with his son, the details of his dying faint and finally drooling, you will feel that Paul Giamatti’s performance is really enjoyable and powerful-of course, there are also People think that Paul's interpretation is too forceful, but I still think that such a role should be handled in this way.
The image of Adams has played a lubricating effect in the course of the founding of the United States. He is not a commander like Washington, a scholar like Franklin, or a professional elite like Hamilton, but his thinking and caution have become The stabilizer of history. Several scenes in the series well show the historical value of Adams:
When he came to France to ask for help on behalf of the United States, which was in the midst of a hard fight, what he saw was the superiority shown by an arrogant and self-righteous big country (isn’t it ironic compared to the United States today)? At the French banquet, Adams, who was considered vulgar and rustic, said to these nobles who ate and drank: "I must study politics and war, so that my sons are free to learn mathematics and philosophy; my sons They need to learn mathematics, philosophy, geography, natural history, shipbuilding, navigation, trade, and agriculture so that their children have the right to learn painting, poetry, music, architecture, sculpture, knitting, and pottery." American His pragmatic spirit can be seen from Adams at the time.
When Adams became president, the French Revolution had just broken out, and the French-friendly Jefferson and others encouraged the people to support France and go to war with Britain. However, Adams risked losing the next president and categorically rejected this seemingly "revolutionary" and "just" motion. In history, when Jefferson expressed support for Louis XVI's beheading, Adams once told a British reporter: Humans will eventually find that if most people lose control, they will become authoritarian like unconstrained tyrants. brutal.
This cautious and reflective attitude runs through the entire series. We saw the Adams and his wife ran to the White House under construction and walked through it silently. Adams was not pleased because he was the founder and president of this country. Said: "I ask God to bless this house and the people who live thereafter. I hope that only honest and wise people can live under this roof and manage the country." Only people with this kind of thinking can After leaving office, he will leave the unfinished White House alone in a carriage with ordinary people. This scene can almost become a footnote to the spirit of the entire show.
Almost all the founders of the United States have a tendency to introspect and return to a simple life, whether Washington, Jefferson or Adams. They are always sober, not obsessed with power, but eager to return to their "place of peace." In the heart of old Adams is the purest love and longing for life of an old man of a century. In the last episode, the aging Adams and his son strolled in their fields. He said emotionally:
"I once saw a French queen wearing diamonds worth 18 million livres. But I would say that her beautiful and dignified appearance combined with shining jewels has less influence on me than a small bush, just Like this one. My mother used to say that I am always not very enthusiastic about this world. Now I find that even if I look at a small thing, I can
wander too far." "Rejoice evermore" Adams said to himself road.
"What do you mean, father?"
"This is the famous saying of São Paulo, you fool"
"Always rejoice, always rejoice. I wish it came to my heart and told me. I have an impulse all over my body now, I want to kneel down.
Worship here. If my knees can be bent." Rejoice evermore, can also be called "grateful for everything", an attitude that is always in awe and respect. This is the most precious thing left by Adams and those American founding fathers. One of spiritual wealth.
Abigail Adams (played by Laura Linney) and
Laura Linney’s interpretation of Abigail’s gaze is not eye-catching (Laura Linney’s performance is so delicate and natural, this play It can be regarded as another milestone in her acting career.) Her tolerance, patience, tolerance, and her vision of starting from a sensible woman and family have had a deep impact on Adams. But the series did not describe her as a complete person: when Adams, who finally returned home, said that he was going to be sent to France, Abigail was very excited, but Laura Linney did not treat her as one here. Resentful woman, she first expressed her dissatisfaction with her husband, but when Adams declared that he would not leave, she said "love has to pay" "If I were a man, I would also go to the national disaster together, because that is where all the glory lies. ", and asked her husband to bring his teenage son with him, so that he would have the opportunity to contact the outside world and experience the experience-what a wise and realm this is.
There is another point that I am deeply impressed by: there was a scene where someone came to inform Adams of the first presidential campaign, saying that many people were recommending Adams, and now there are judges to choose from. Adams first stated that he did not want to be an official (and he was a little disappointed in not being able to compete for the president), and Abigail, who had never spoken, said, "At least the vice president"-it does not make people feel abrupt or utilitarian, but feels Very real and very normal. As the wife of a politician, this reply not only contained a request for affirmation of her husband’s merits, but also urged Adams to continue to contribute to the country.
Abigail Nabi Adams (played by Sara Polly) has
not many roles in Nabi's role, but she has cancer and needs breast surgery for a while, Sara Polly's performance is still very exciting. In fact, several young actors who played Adams's son and daughter have left a deep impression on people.
George Washington (played by
David Moss) The most familiar character with David Moss is probably the adjutant who follows the general in "Creating Death Island". He is also the kind of licorice actor who always plays a supporting role. Most of the Washington in this play are silhouettes. David Moss’s performance is appropriate and can hold the atmosphere. Although he is not very close to Washington in image, when you see him speaking at the Philadelphia conference, It is absolutely in line with Washington's rigorous, respectful, and generous spirit.
Benjamin Franklin (played by Tom Wilkinson)
Tom Wilkinson is also an old drama, his interpretation of Franklin is not the image of the scientist flying a kite to study thunder and lightning in our childhood textbooks, but an old sly. So sophisticated. In France, he followed the French to eat, drink, and have fun. He looked like a plaything, and the romantic and erotic story with the Duchess was even more comical. But we don't feel that this character has been belittled at all-history is so complicated, there are orthodox principled gentlemen like Adams, and veteran politicians like Franklin who are clever and agile.
Thomas Jefferson (played by Stephen Dearland)
Jefferson was an encyclopedic scholar with a poetic temperament of idealism and romanticism. At the age of 25, this manor, who had a lot of slaves in his own house, put forward a proposal to emancipate slaves. Of course, he is best known as the sole chief writer of the "Declaration of Independence"-as described in the series, Franklin and Adams made only minor modifications. When he was young, Jefferson was radical and romantic. His famous sentence "The tree of freedom must be irrigated with the blood of patriots and tyrants from time to time before it can be reborn." It was in a letter to Mrs. Adams. In his later years, he also admitted that this was a bit too radical. Jefferson, played by Steven Dearland, has a melancholy and silent temperament, and seems to have been immersed in his inner world. The grievances between Jefferson and Adams for more than half a century have been manifested in the drama. Both of them are out of public mind. The characters with no personal feuds also form a strong contrast with the current reality of American party disputes.
Alexander Hamilton (played by Rufus Seville)
probably became the only "villain" character in the play because of Hamilton's wanton attack on Adams in history. Of course, the show didn't give Hamilton the face of the villain, he was just too different from Adams. Historically, Hamilton was not tall, but he was handsome, not only ambitious, but also talented, literate and martial, good at music and painting. He was born at the bottom, worked as a guard and a lawyer under Washington. Advocating the implementation of a centralized nationalist line. In the drama, he quarreled with John Adams when he was Secretary of the Treasury. In fact, this is a trade-off (not a distortion) made by Adams to highlight Adams. Hamilton won the first national bank for the United States at that time. , This event contributed greatly to the restoration and development of the American economy at that time. Of course, his writing is really sharp and even mean. The 50-page pamphlet attacked Adams as much as possible.
History and fiction
Many civilians' clothes in this drama have been used in British historical dramas, and many pants are sewn with BBC marks.
At the end of the film, before his death, John Adams said the widely circulated last words: Fortunately, Jefferson is still alive. According to historical facts, although Jefferson had left a few hours earlier than Adams, Adams did not get the news at all. In this segment of the film, the scenes of Jefferson and Adams in sickness were switched in parallel between the images of the National Day on July 4. People have a strong sense of historical fate: the lives of these people, together with their deaths, are legends!
The title of the series comes from a cartoon drawn by Franklin: a snake is divided into many sections, each section represents a colony, and the bottom of the drawing says "Join or Die". This is a cartoon used by Franklin in his communiqué to call on the colonies to prosper together and each colony to perish in 1754 when the Seven Years War broke out between Washington and France, an officer who was still a colony. This is also the first cartoon to appear in the Americas. (It turned out to be a predecessor in the comics industry...)
The title of the third episode, Don't Tread on Me, was written on the American flag by some places and people in the 18th century, but it was not the official style.
In a scene where the crowd welcomed Adams home, for the sake of reality, two truckloads of oyster shells were piled up on the set, as well as a lot of real big dried fish.
The turquoise and white striped nightgown worn by Laura Linney in the play was worn by Kirsten Dunst in "Queen Mary."
When Adams’ daughter Naby had an operation, Abigail said to the restless Adams: "Look at God, John, sit down." This is a song from the musical "1776" about the "Declaration of Independence". Classic sentences in the song.
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