John Adams miniseries on HBO

If I may step out of character for a moment, I have recently watched the first episodes of JOHN ADAMS on Home Box Office (on cable, for my overseas friends). I am, as some of you know, a reader and fan of history. I was greatly pleased with the production of David McCullogh's excellent 2001 biography of Adams. John Adams is something of the forgotten man of the early patriots-- somewhat overshadowed by his predecessor and successor in the presidency. Adams' accomplishments as a politician are often overlooked compared to the superb military accomplishments of Washington. But he was a great and good man of revolutionary spirit; if Washington was our "indispensable man", then Adams was, at least, equally so in another arena. From what I have seen so far, the miniseries does the subject (and source book) great justice. Paul Giamatti (of Sideways and The Lady in the Water fame) gives a superb performance as Adams-- not the blowhard Adams, not the dullard, but a sensitive, kind and truly revolutionary being. This is not an Adams of supreme self-confidence; Giamatti does not give us an icon-- he gives us the human Adams. The insecure Adams, the self-questioning Adams. Other standout performances are Laura Linney as Abigal Adams, Tom Wilkinson as that great sage, Benjamin Franklin, and a superb performance by David Morse as the unflappable George Washington. I greatly enjoy this miniseries and do not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.



HBO Miniseries website. Check your local listings.