Fosse/Verdon

More than the story, the acting is the source of fascination. Michelle Williams and Sam Rockwell are just admirable. The atmosphere, embroidery of music, image and make-up is great. A serie like a perfect past travel. And something easy to define more as magic than hommage.

Bob Fosse (Sam Rockwell) is the legendary American choreographer and director for Broadway and the big screen. Gwen Verdon (Michelle Williams) is his third wife, his dancer, and his artistic partner. This FX series examines the couple's relationship in eight episodes. Each one follows an aspect of their lives together.

The easiest praise is that Rockwell and Williams are great. That's a given. They are great actors. The structure of the show is somewhat different. It's not a straight linear story telling. It deals more with a single subject per episode. It takes some getting used to. At first, I couldn't take the way the show presents time in its text. It's some weird artsy indirect thing. I just want the date and year. Once I got used to it, it becomes a minor annoyance. The good aspect is that it narrows the focus of the episode. It's an intriguing way to do an bio mini-series. There is also the great acting.

Partly due to the non-linear timeline of this series, I think it helps if the viewer is familiar with the work of Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. My introduction came during the Broadway run of "Dancin' ", the amazing dance revue that inspired my love of Broadway, musical theater, and the style of Bob Fosse.

After watching the first two episodes, I am pleasantly surprised, due especially to the performance by Michelle Williams (Verdon). She seems to embody Verdon, even to the point that any issues I have with her representation of the dancing are merely quibbles. She conveys the nuances of the Fosse dance mannerisms and the subtleties of a woman who led a confused life under the influence of the infuriating Fosse.

Sam Rockwell delivers a convincing depiction of Fosse. I prefer it to the Roy Scheider portrayal in "All That Jazz". Rockwell's Fosse is meticulous, quiet, emotionally distant and possessing a ruthless honesty that manages to betray him when personal relationships get tough.

The show demonstrates the unique language of dance and style that Verdon and Fosse shared. Fosse had an addictive personality, so it is no surprise that their relationship revolved around the muse-meal ticket disjunction. Other productions have focused on a woman's love for a flawed man. "Fosse/Verdon" tells the same story and is quite believable. She clearly loves him more than he loves himself.

As with the TV show "Smash", I love the behind the scenes look at the creative processes and the personality conflicts.

Watch for Paul Reiser as Cy Feuer. In upcoming episodes, I am looking forward to the portrayal of Ann Reinking, among others.

I knew about Bob Fosse as a choreographer but had no idea he was such a talented dancer. Both protagonists are spot on in their performances. Michelle Williams is incredible. You can't see any differences and the real Verdon if you watch original footage of Verdon dancing.

As an Astaire enthusiast I never thought that I would say Fosse was better although he did copy many of Astaire's moves.

Anyone who loves dance and musicals will love this series.

For anyone who has seen and enjoyed the 1979 semi-autobiographical film directed by Fosse, starring Roy Schneider and Fosse's last partner, Ann Reinking, this series will flesh out the saga. Rockwell and Williams do great turns as the titular characters, and the supporting cast playing so many luminaries of the stage and screen is both educational and entertaining.