Don't Tread On Me

Some words in support of John Adams, the highly acclaimed HBO miniseries (my previous HBO recommendation, John from Cincinnati, didn't fare as well). The series is fantastic, presented with an epic scope and a real eye toward authenticity. The camera work features unique shots that only occasionally distract from the scene. Often times, they are integral in establishing the mood of a particular episode. The music is unbelievable. The scale of it completely swept me away from the opening sequence onward. Hearing it, I truly felt as if I was in the midst of a time that surely must have felt revolutionary in all respects.

The show is most certainly stolen by actress Laura Linney, who portrays Abigail Adams. Of course, it is the actor's job to mimic or approximate the accent, speech patterns, and mannerisms of its subject. Linney's mastery is in putting it all together and never faltering. This is apparent from the first scene including Mrs. Adams. Sure, people will talk about her opposition to slavery (and my history is not good enough to know if this is the truth or a politically correct anachronism). Critics will applaud the behind-the-scenes power wielded by a woman with such grace and responsibility.

The most important & remarkable aspect of her character, however, is how she would not let Mr. Adams allow his vanity and know-it-all nature overtake his duty to his country. She called him on his crap, and Mr. Adams wouldn't have it any other way. Paul Giamatti, as John Adams himself, gives the second-best performance. That is by no means an insult, only a testament to the talent of his on-screen love. Giamatti presents a fantastically real founding father, decaying teeth and all. He is vain, outspoken, rude, intelligent, a pessimist, loyal, brave, jealous, easily angered, a man with tremendous integrity, hard-working, and a patriot who loves his country. One thing the story is not, no one whitewashes the history of John Adams. This is a watercolor.

As executive producer, Tom Hanks gave us another winner. I recommend this series to anyone, but most especially to those who enjoyed Band of Brothers. This is not an indication of the content of the show, but rather the undoubtedly exhaustive efforts to bring us as close as possible to realism. The two series are also similar in theme. While the World War II epic is more specifically direct, both dramas are about exceptional individuals sacrificing for the good of their country.

I found it remarkable that John Adams made it so easy to think about the human face on this revolution. Today, we think of many of the people and institutions involved almost as unchanging & divine entities. The Sons of Liberty & Samuel Adams banging the drums, Thomas Jefferson's complete commitment to developing on the philosophical theory of liberty, General Washington's humility, the framing of the Constitution, and the document itself; none of these things were certain to the people of the time including Adams who, as the show asserts, was very concerned with the manner in which posterity would receive them. It's amazing to envision a world where these things did not exist and then came into being.

That's just exactly what the makers of John Adams accomplished.