Brotherhood

[kafka]

Last night was the premiere of a new series on Showtime called Brotherhood. Starring Jason Isaacs, Jason Clarke, Annabeth Gish, Fionnula Flanagan (the mother in "Transamerica") and Ethan Embry, it's about 2 Irish-American brothers in Providence, RI. Jason Isaacs is the lethal, ruthless killer who metes out his own justice to the unfortunate, and who works with the Irish Mob; his brother is a state representative who is almost as corrupt in his own way. Annabelle Gish plays the politician's wife, who escapes the reality of his backroom deals through drugs and an affair. And Fionnula Flanagan is the steely Irish matriach with a cold, amoral streak; a fierce, passionate love for her sons (no matter what they do); and bigotted tendencies.

I saw it last night and it's quite interesting. Especially with regard to the parallels between the brothers, parallels which the politician brother refuses to see. It's also interesting in terms of showing how politics work in Rhode Island. I lived there for a while and the things really *are* as bad and corrupt as this series shows. Real-life (ex) Mayor Buddy Cianci was a legend in the annals of crooked politicians and, in the show, the politician brother references him in a speech about how politics have changed in RI. Right after he finished a backroom deal in which he horse-traded contracts....

But Jason Isaacs definitely stole the show for me. And not just because I think he's sex on a stick. ;D So, is anyone else watching this show? If so, what did you think?

[sleepy]

Of course I just recently canceled Showtime. No Jason Isaacs for me. Sigh.

[tamaradixon]

I'd love to see this, but it means signing up for the Movie Network here in Canada and I ain't forkin' over the big bucks for that.

[heyalice]

I'm watching. Is it wrong that I prefer Michael over Tommy?

[kafka]

heyalice said:

I'm watching. Is it wrong that I prefer Michael over Tommy?

Nope. I do too, and not only because I think Jason Isaacs is sexy as hell. Tommy annoys me with his sanctimonious attitude. So does his wife, but for different reasons.

This show reminds me of the early seasons of the Soprano's in its intensity and its focus on corruption and the underworld. It's a pity no-one seems to be watching it. It's garnered a lot of rave critical reviews from everyone from the NY Times to the Wall Street Journal. If this was shown on HBO, I really think people would be flocking to it as the Soprano's successor.

[thecupcakekid]

I wish I had Showtime. The show looks really interesting, but the brother who isn't Jason Isaacs is pretty monstrously ugly. At least what I've seen of him.

[heyalice]

Yay! Folks besided my one colleague to talk about this show with.
I think the wife (Eileen?) had something going with Mikey. And Tommy boy is Fitzgerald's kid or Ma was just schupping him.
So the mob dude that gave the Mayor the money, does that make Tommy beholden to Freddy now? I thought it was Fitzgerald who fixed that. I am confused.

[kafka]

heyalice said:

Yay! Folks besided my one colleague to talk about this show with.
I think the wife (Eileen?) had something going with Mikey.

I think so too. The look on her face when she saw him for the first time was so telling. Whatsherface is a very good actress to be able to pull off such a wide-range of emotions without ever saying a word.

And Tommy boy is Fitzgerald's kid or Ma was just schupping him.
So the mob dude that gave the Mayor the money, does that make Tommy beholden to Freddy now? I thought it was Fitzgerald who fixed that. I am confused.

I think it goes like this: Tommy is beholden to King Fitzgerald (and yes, I wouldn't be surprised if he were really his bastard son) for leaning on the Mayor to stop the garbage strike. The Mayor is now beholden to the Mob, in addition to Fitzgerald but that's because it seems *everyone* in politics is under Fitzgerald's power.

Tommy is indirectly tied to the Mob because the Union members are his main constituents but he is not actually under Mob control. He *is* however more connected to them than he thinks and is hardly as independent as he pretends. Boy is more corrupt than a bent toothpick!

The mother is a real piece of work and, tellingly, a polar opposite to Fitzgerald's wife. It will be interesting to learn what her husband, Michael and Tommy's father, was like...

[slashgirl]

heyalice said:

I'm watching. Is it wrong that I prefer Michael over Tommy?

Since Michael's played by Jason Isaacs, it's no suprise. He's so good, he almost makes me forget that his character's a psychotic gangster prone to violence at the worst possible times. Almost.

Tommy annoys me with his sanctimonious attitude.

Given a choice between sanctimony and insanity, I'd choose the former. Tommy's not "perfect," but at least he seems to care more about the difference between right and wrong than Michael.

[heyalice]

What a tense hour. I really feel for Tommy.