Wednesday, 11 December 2024

TV REVIEW: THE MADNESS - Miniseries


3.5/5

Mad World 

8 Episodes. Starring: Colman Domingo, Marsha Stephanie Blake, John Ortiz, Tamsin Topolski, Thaddeus J. Mixson & Gabrielle Graham. Created By: Stephen Belber. On: Netflix.

'The Madness' of Colman Domingo sees him in the moment of his career. The Academy Award nominated American actor, playwright and director is a star of stage and screen like Netflix's 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'. "A-one, a-two, a-you know what to do!" Check 'The Butler' and 'Selma' star's filmography on IMDB. 'If Beale Street Could Talk' and his wonderful reaction to his on-screen daughter telling him he was going to be a grandfather. His "it doesn't love us back" speech about America in the 'Candyman' horror. His classic character redemption arc in 'The Color Purple'. Not to mention so much more for the two-time Tony Award winner, who also scooped up an Emmy for his work on HBO's hottest show 'Euphoria'. But now, returning to the small screen, this might just be his best year. Following last year's 'Rustin' Oscar nomination, he may just get another one (and even the award) for his terrific turn in 'Sing Sing' (and let's not forget indie flick of the year, 'Drive-Away Dolls'). Even Emmy consideration for 'The Fugitive' like new series on Netflix could chase him.

Like his character in another thriller on the box (the 'Fear The Walking Dead' spin-off) tells it. "The only way to survive in a mad world is to embrace the madness." The streaming service on a hot-streak (see Jamie Foxx's truly special stand-up 'What Had Happened Was...', released this week, and another Washington family August Wilson adaptation for 'The Piano Lesson'), always knows how to give us middling, but compelling miniseries' ("ANNIE, I'M A HAWK!"). Most recently, the string puppet pulling of the 'Eric; mystery, starring another Academy actor in Benedict Cumberbatch, set in 1980s New York. This Stephen Belber (the Broadway and movie adaptation of a 'Match' with Patrick Stewart, made so) show run creation takes a bite out of the modern day Big Apple. Especially when it comes to booking a ticket on a Greyhound bus. Domingo, in awe of his face on a Times Square screen and rocking the New York City tee that John Lennon made famous with a Yankee blue cap, truly finds home when he heads to The Roots of Philly with that band's soundtrack on deck.

Turning up his coat collar, Colman has captured all sorts of characters. Even voicing Bruce Wayne on some brilliant Batman podcasts and the Marvel of the villainous Green Goblin of Norman Osborn on next year's 'Your Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man' animation. But here he lends his decadent delivery to a CNN anchor, Muncie Daniels, which you could really seem him as, turtleneck and all. However, when this button-pushing media pundit, not afraid to court controversy is framed for the Pocono Mountains murder and chop suey of a white supremacist, that's when 'The Madness' really begins. Especially when the sins of an infamous father our visited on the son. And it's all generational in relation too. Shooting in the sky, Colman's compelling character keeps you riveted and with this eight episode wonder of a series that fades at the finish after so many terrific twists and turns. Please don't spoil this, like the reveal of plenty of household name Hollywood stars and character actors that show up to make this madness even crazier. This series about a murder in the woods is anything but limited. Leaving all other's as green with envy as the terrific title sequence.

We can call on the principle class, mind you, in a conspiracy thriller series with shades of everything from 'True Detective' to Denzel Washington's 'The Manchurian Candidate'. And it's full of strong black leads, like Colman picking up another brilliant book (Ralph Ellison's different to H.G. Wells' 'The Invisible Man'), like his 'Candyman' character did in between laundry loads, so we take notice and read all about it. Amazing action and political punch is offset by grounded family drama with estranged wife Marsha Stephanie Blake (Netflix's landmark 'When They See Us'), and kids Gabrielle Graham (the streaming service's ('21 Thunder' and 'In The Shadow Of The Moon') and newcomer Thaddeus J. Mixson. All outstanding. Much like another star of the future, looking for redemption, Tamsin Topolski. Yet for all the aforementioned big names and those trying to make theirs, it's classic character actor John Ortiz ('Carlito's Way', 'Miami Vice', and 'American Fiction' amongst many, many more) that almost steals the show from Colman's command. Playing a truly beat cop who wants to serve justice in a world that's forgotten how to spell that out. Just like Colman's character. After poking around in the Poconos, trying to clear his name, Domingo makes his even more definitive. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Rustin', 'Sing Sing', 'The Fugitive'.

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