Boss Season 1 [Blu-ray]

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Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) –

  

  

  

  

We are now into the fourth episode of this ongoiing new series for television BOSS and while the entire series for the DVD cannot be reviewed as yet, t seems only fitting that the public be alerted to a show that is far above the usual series dramas made for television. It boasts some brilliant writing by Farhad Safinia, who was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1975 and left Iran with his family at the age of four to live in Paris, then London. At King’s College, Cambridge, where he studied Economics, he directed and acted in a number of stage productions for the Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club and other theatre companies. After graduating, he moved to New York City where he studied film at the New School University and at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. His only other screenplay to date is ‘Apocalypto’ but he clearly is someone to watch. The production company includes Gus Van Sant and star Kelsey Grammer and Mario Van Peebles, and the work of some extraordinary cinematography

BOSS opens with Chicago Mayor Tom Kane Kelsey Grammer) seated in an empty warehouse listening to his physician tell him is complete secrecy that he has Lewy-body dementia, a progressive degenerative neurologic disorder in which thread- like proteinaceous inclusions are deposited within neurites (Lewy neurites): the disease is not treatable, not curable, and as the patient decline the motor and sensory functions gradually are obliterated until the completely incapacitated victim dies.
From this opening Kane moves into action – a man who has clawed his way to the top of the political heap where he is now surrounded by a staff (Kathleen Robertson, Martin Donovan et al) who assist him in manipulating the election of the next governor of Illinois (Jeff Hephner is his choice). There are numerable sidebars that weave in and out through the series – Kane’s estranged wife (Connie Nielsen) has her own political agenda, Kane’s equally estranged daughter (Hannah Ware) has turned away form her father’s modus operandi only to bifurcate her life between evangelism and Free Clinic support as well as drug dealing with a growing romantic interest (Rotimi Akinosho), Kane’s dealings with big business which happens to uncover historic Indian gravesites that cause another series of complications, his distrust of the Latino community and the payback for deeds he does not approve of, and while all of this is going an (and more) Kane must face his progressive deterioration of his physical life and try to regenerate a semblance of a spiritual/humanitarian life. Of particular importance is the ever present reporter Sam Miller form the Chicago Sentinel (Troy Garity) who will likely assume more and more importance as the series roles on.

This is an astonishingly fine cast, a intensely creative script, and a show with exceptional production values. Where will it go? It is difficult to wait for the next installment in the weeks to come. Grady Harp, November 11

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Boss is an outstanding series, well written, superb acting, leaves one wanting more at the end of each episode. Nothing on Premium Channels can touch it. Having been a loyal viewer of HBO’s Soprano Series, Boss is prime to be continued as successfully. I’m anxious for the Premire on dvd to come out soon so I can share it with those who haven’t Starz nor who willingly pay $10 a pop to watch it On Demand. My hope is that the series continues to be of the highest quality to date, in my opinion.

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K. Harris “Film aficionado” (Albuquerque, NM) –

  

  

  

The world of Chicago politics takes another savage beating in the sharp and cynical Starz original series “Boss.” Really, the city needs to get an expert PR firm on the case immediately! Any TV show or movie that features Chicago invariably paints its city offices as a hotbed of corruption and malfeasance. But that’s okay Chi-Town, I won’t hold it against you if it keeps producing top notch entertainment like this unexpectedly rewarding drama. In truth, I had absolutely no interest in following Kelsey Grammar into this den of inequity. I think it’s fair to say, that while I think he’s talented, Grammar is not a particular favorite of mine. But I’m glad I gave the show a shot. After finding the early episodes intriguing, if somewhat unfocused, “Boss” brought all of its disparate plot threads together in almost operatic fashion to provide some of the year’s most intense drama. As all the political machinations, plotting, and back-stabbing reached fever pitch proportions–”Boss” grew into the season’s most pleasant (if rather unpleasant) surprises. Filled with great performances, the show recently scored a Golden Globe nomination for Best Drama and one for Grammar as Lead Actor.

Grammar plays Tom Kane, the ruthless mayor of Chicago. He is diagnosed in the first episode with a degenerative neurological condition which he struggles to control and keep a guarded secret. Corrupted by power, Grammar has lost all vestiges of idealism that he might once have had and, in the process, seems to have pushed away those closest to him. Most of the season revolves around the state gubernatorial race as Grammar hopes to oust the current regime with someone more controllable. Past scandals, brittle and complicated relationships, palace coups, and backroom deals populate the season’s eight episodes as every major character tries to advance through the maze of corruption. And in many ways, everyone is complicit in some form of wrong-doing and it will be almost impossible to remain unscathed. At the center, Grammar rules the roost in a towering performance–a terrifically despicable anti-hero. Everyone may want to take him down, but it’s easier said than done!

I won’t recount the various plot points of the season, I think it’s best to let the show unravel like a good novel. But I will say that “Boss” would be nowhere near as effective if it were not for the great (and huge) cast of supporting players. Everyone is great, but I’ll only mention a few of my favorites. A deadpan Martin Donovan and a crisp Kathleen Robertson provide excellent support as Grammar’s closest confidantes. This may be Robertson’s best role to date. Connie Nielsen is an understated presence as Grammar’s estranged wife, but shows unexpected importance as the episodes progress. Francis Guinan is spot-on as the current Governor and Jeff Hephner serves up a true star making role as his rival. I expect we’ll be seeing Hephner more frequently if this is any indication. But at the heart of “Boss” is a fierce Grammar. Like the driving force within a Shakespearean tragedy, his Mayor Tom Kane is an unforgettable power player who stands to conquer all challengers. It’s a big role and a great performance. A smart and savvy political drama for adults, check out “Boss.” KGHarris, 12/11.

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