American Crime Story

Very few people have a sense of drama like Ryan Murphy, and the fact that he took on such a complex story and is now reaping the praise for it is satisfying. Because there's no point lying about it: it truly was the trial of the century. At the beginning it was clear that there wouldn't be any room for narrative shocks in a story where most viewers know the beginning and the end. And yet I was mistaken, because in the desperate battle between determined prosecutors and ruthless defense lawyers, a few surprising twists actually do occur. Until the whole thing reaches the actual trial, I had quite a problem with the storytelling, because O.J. Simpson comes across, however intentionally, as very unappealing, especially due to Cuba Gooding Jr.'s melodramatic performance, and I only just barely endured his hysterical outbursts where he constantly complains with his squeaky voice. But as the tension starts to build, it takes a completely different turn, and the actors get credit for that the most with so many unparalleled, breathtaking performances all in one place. Surprisingly, Sarah Paulson impressed me the most, and I cheered for her with every obstacle she faced from adversaries or the public. John Travolta, who is frightening, and Courtney B. Vance are also outstanding in their roles, especially Vance's portrayal of an almost bloodthirsty demon fighting for human rights, Johnnie Cochran, who thoughtlessly commits "good". However, my biggest favorite became Christopher Darden, who was initially unassuming but increasingly important. The uncertainty when it is expected that he won't be on this side of the fence – and when he is, his presence is solely seen as a racial issue – are masterful moments, and I'm glad that Sterling K. Brown's star is rising steadily, precisely because of the Juice's case. (26/03/2018)

The Secret Life of the American Teenager. In every bloody scene, there is a heaviness in the chest; with the passing of time, an increasingly unsettling feeling while watching Andrew Cunanan and his journey, which I do not (and yet have to) understand and a lot of contemplation as to whether the twisted storytelling technique benefits or harms. Discovering small details about the birth of the main antagonist works like a charm, but seeing the meticulously dissected fates of the supporting characters who died in a previous/later episode occasionally becomes tiresome. Compared to The People v. O. J. Simpson, it is a much more personal experience, both because of the feeling "it could happen to you" and, above all, thanks to Darren Criss's outstanding performance. Rest in peace, Teenage Dream. (26/03/2018)

You can sum it all up in a single sentence, which is also heard in the series. When a woman is involved in a sexual scandal, it haunts her for years and complicates her work and personal life. When something similar happens to a man, he doesn't get such a hard time, some even praise him. And no matter how the affair with Monica Lewinsky turned out, the global view of the matter hasn't changed, even decades later. That's why I was most looking forward to the phase where the main couple got together that would humanize Bill Clinton a bit, but paradoxically this part, inseparably linked with the character of the bitter Linda Tripp, is disproportionately prolonged due to the presence of supporting characters of varying levels of importance. And while the trio of Bill-Monica-Linda is played incredibly well, whether the actors resemble their real-life counterparts or not, the supporting roles, mostly portrayed by appealing actors, go beyond the norm and their storylines are often frustrating, especially Cobie Smulders and Billy Eichner. In short, the first five episodes, which needed the most dramatic care, could be condensed into two hours and nothing substantial would be lost. However, the whole media frenzy and interrogation, which I thought I knew very well, captivates with emotional richness and the tangible vulnerability of the main character. I don't understand why previous seasons were showered with awards for the lead actors and yet Impeachment remains behind. A controversially timed controversial topic should not stand in the way of its objective merits. In the end, I rate it slightly lower than in previous cases because some longer storylines lead nowhere, but despite that, I recommend this unexpectedly fitting adaptation to everyone who, like me, spent one summer at the end of the 1990s watching the news with family and hearing various theories in a single evening about a certain soiled dress. (09/10/2023)