Show Me a Hero

I liked the way story goes at many levels: politics, mass psychology, racism, ordinary people's lives, Nick's life. Oscar Isaac as Nick Wasicsko was great, also liked that i get to see Alfred Molina again.

This was a very good show. Acting and story are at their best. They don't make it like this nowadays.

If nothing else, it is worth watching the series for the craftsmanship alone. I can't remember the last time I've seen something this well done. This show just oozes talent, David Simon and Paul Haggis make an excellent pair and do a great job creating a realistic of 80s-90s Yonkers. The acting across the board is also phenomenal, it seems every time I watch Oscar Isaac he is playing a totally different character, truly a talent. The show itself may be a little slow, but is totally fascinating and really keeps you interested with all of the different characters. Show me a Hero is not solely a political drama, thinking it is would be fundamentally misunderstanding the show. It's a show about real people and real politicians, which are both hard to come across.

This is a completely compelling and gripping drama that successfully explores an event from all the sides involved. As the story unfolds the viewer gets introduced to what at first seems like a lot of desperate groups of people, the first being the protagonist. We are introduced as the episodes unfold to not only the antagonist but we actually get introduced to the characters who the event actually effects. So for once we get to see how effects of decisions made actually effect the characters lives directly as opposed to them them just being theoretical of just facts or figures. Thats the only way I can describe it without spoilers. Spoilers would not be fair to this great production.

The acting is top notch. Some of the character actors in this production who we've all seen in things in the past actually shine here and do their best work. I guarantee that 20 minutes into the first episode you are hooked. Once you gather who the players are you really get sucked in.

Nick Wasicsko was a councillor in the city of Yonkers, New York, when he went for the allure that power wields and became mayor. This was at a time when the council was being told that it had to build low income housing and 'affordable' homes. The problem was that these had to go in the nice part of town where all the white voters loved. And if you want to be re-elected then you do what the voters want.

Now this sounds like the usual tale of haves and have nots but it is more than that. The series follows the lives of some of the 'would be' new tenants and the people objecting and all the lovely Machiavellian politicians and their scheming ways. It is a warts and all kind of approach and at times you find it hard to single out the god guys and indeed the gals.

It is very well made as you would expect from HBO but it does take its time to get going and find its stride, but at 6 episodes long it does have the time to do that. All acted really well with good period detail and a kind of inevitability about it that made me keep coming back for more. A social drama with a heart but it kind of wears it on different sleeves and is all the better for it.

It will be left to a specific type of viewer to watch/give it a chance. This mini-series was a work of art. Portraying many facets of life, sociology and politics. And especially why a sincere person will likely lose in the race made for narcissists. There is no place in politics for a sincere being. Since a sincere being is able to truly feel , and a narcissist is only there for power. Ironically the masses always fall for the trap of the narcissist, due to their own insecurities. They have the sick need for someone who portrays (fake) security. They need to believe in it, even if it's a lie. The narcissist has no problem feeding them that lie. Also very interesting in this show is how it shows us the psychology behind buildings, neighbourhoods and how it has a lot of influence on behaviour! This was one of the best and a very painful mini series to watch. But pain is a part of life, and I applaud the makers for daring to portray that, since they also know most people do anything to avoid seeing and feeling that in tv shows/movies/art.