I like mob/gangster films and TV shows. Things like The Godfather films, Scarface, Goodfellas, Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire.
The reason those films/shows work, is the depth. Some work as morality tales, some work as metaphors for other subjects.
Peaky Blinders has no subtext. It's the TV equivalent of a Nick Love hooligan movie.
That is the reason I have stopped watching it.
I gave up on it too.
shareThat is the reason I have stopped watching it.
If I had not put on the sub-title setting, I probably would have gave up on it too. It helped me tremendously because they all have such strong accents with rapid dialogue exchanges. Also, when the music plays, the artists and song titles are mentioned in the subtitle text, which I thought was cool. There was PJ Harvey, Arctic Monkeys, Jack White, Black Keys, etc.
shareAlso, when the music plays, the artists and song titles are mentioned in the subtitle text, which I thought was cool. There was PJ Harvey, Arctic Monkeys, Jack White, Black Keys, etc.
The use of music was the one thing I didn't like. It was so jarring to me to see scenes from the 1920s set up by loud, modern rock music. It didn't fit, IMO.
Later, after I watched more episodes (not quite to the end yet), I changed my mind. The music did start to soak in and made me appreciate it more. Just shows to go you, first impressions can change over time.
Not really true.
The show kind of showcases the power struggle between the huge gap in England's social classes (rich and poor). Tommy, who gutted it out WWI and is renown war hero, still has no true respect for the country he fought for due to his gypsy background. So, he takes things in own hands as he feels his family's business is no different than corrupt politicians and such.
I can't imagine anyone not liking this brilliant series. The actors...sets...storyline....brilliant.
shareThe show is great but I hate every single character with a passion! I want them all to die in every episode.
Forever Royal
Pretty much my reaction too. The show was interesting but not worth the headache the characters give me.
Season 3 in general was horrible. Stupid storyline, increasingly insane characters. The Russians and the story writing in general are pretty much at the level of a 12 year old's playboy fueled dreams.
I generally like the show although i think stylistically it can be a bit heavy-handed.
My only complaint is that after 3 seasons it still doesn't have much in the way of emotional gravitas. The subplot with Polly and her son in s2 gave it a little bit, but it's still just mostly fighting and *beep* and wheeling and dealing, It's kinda repetitive at this point, and lacking in the mystery and intrigue dept.
I think the show Taboo, which is similar in tone and style, is doing a better job with its approach.
one subtext is simply underclass economic repression, a brutal class heirarchy abetted by the law, the police
another is the immediate aftermath of the great war, the ptsd, the lost generation
another is the easter rising, irish civil war
another, the societal contempt for the irish, italians, gypsies, jews - their prominence in the gangs of the day
probably others- i'm not saying this show is greatest thing since sliced bread, but i do like that the narrative ties in with the history and socioeconomic context of the day.
I agree. It gives off this vibe as if it's a "clever" show, but then it really isn't that clever.
The one thing that immediately comes to mind is how Tommy is just way too nice for a gangster. In S1, when he bursts in to save the barmaid (forget her name). That is obviously made for television, to make the old housewives sympathetic to Tommy.
Is this series historically accurate? I ask because I've watched the season with the NYC Italian mob guy story line. I've never heard of such a thing, so I was wondering if the writers were just trying to get their Mafia/Mob fetish worked into the storyline.
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