The Art of More

I know very little of the art world. I've never even been inside a museum or art gallery.

Based on the low rating of IMDb, I was skeptical of this show. But like the rating system (which falsely rates Star Wars The Force Awakens a high 8.4), I was way wrong. The Art of More is a superb show.

In terms of writing, acting, directing, character development, plot, etc., The Art of More show makes the new Star Wars movie look like a stupid kid's Disney show. I know it's not even fair to compare, but I just wanted to emphasize how ridiculously wrong the rating system can be.

IMO, in terms of writing, acting, directing, character development, plot, etc., this show is on par with the likes of Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Homeland, and Walking Dead.

So don't just judge any show based on the ratings alone.

This show has smart writing. It is exciting. It has beautiful people and beautiful looking art.

In conclusion, I absolutely love this show and hope it will continue for a long time. I heard they have already renewed the second season with 10 episodes. I am hoping for a lot more seasons.

A really original premise and so well executed. It's a fascinating portrait of big-ticket art and the unexpected underbelly of that world. The cross-section of socio-political types, all very well conveyed in the writing and performances, mixing it up in auction-house back rooms. The lead character manages to span the gap between military fatigues and designer suits -- and we buy him in both roles. Kate Bosworth is so wonderfully fine-tuned between poise and greed. Quaid gets to be balls-out Quaid and is such fun to watch. And you actually learn a lot about art -- from the magnificent to the ridiculous. Stolen antiquities, Steve McQueen's Ferrari, the price we put on objects and how arbitrary it can be. This refreshing new show is well worth a binge watch!

I love shows that draw me in and make me want to watch "just one more episode"--which turns into an evening binge. For me, THE ART OF MORE is definitely that binge-worthy new series. First, the setting and premise is fresh and surprising. There are no other shows that focus on the art world--a great was to look at art across the centuries, including contemporary aspects that I hadn't really considered art, like the journals of explorers or the handwritten notes of rock stars. I also love the look at classic art from early ceramics to the Impressionists to Picasso. And from a new angle--a complex mix of genuine love of the artifacts as well as greed and corruption,the thrill of the chase and the behind the scene look through the eyes of a range of characters. Kate Boswell is perfect as the competitive, troubled, privileged art exec. As we continue to learn her back story, she becomes more and more sympathetic and engaging.

The other characters drew me in as well. Love Dennis Quaid! His twinkly eyes and wit come across even as he plays a kind of bombastic rich buffoon. Christian Cooke is compelling as an Iraq war vet and art-lover, struggling to juggle his many schemes and relationships. Cary Elwes is a delight, somehow able to portray a mix of emotions through his gestures and facial expressions.

Best for me is the way the characters back-stories are revealed layer by layer as the series continues. Lots of drama, twists and turns, tension, and fun in this compelling new show.

Kudos to Crackle for this new drama!

Good performances from all to be sure. However, the material with which they have to work demands all your attention to fathom the sub-plot,within sub-plot, within sub-plot. The writers seem to be attempting to congratulate themselves on how messy and complicated they can make a thinly woven thread of a story. Each episode is one messy complicated disaster linked to another by a small hope of resolution but alas! Just another unresolved catastrophe and so it goes on and on and on. The resolution is very low making viewing difficult in low light and the dialogue requires audio enhancement to make out the actors' lines - most of which are mumbled and/or whispered. Perhaps I know little about art, but I know what I like - and this is not it. Anyway - judge for yourself.

This show definitely does not deserve a 5.9 rating (at of the time of writing this review). The acting is perfectly good, the cinematography looks nice, the plot is interesting and the characters are likable and not too one-note. Overall, it's a very competent show.

As several people have said, it's a very original idea for a plot too. I mean, the seedy side of the art-collecting world isn't something you see on TV very often. Also, I really like how they open most episodes with a little 'history' on the pieces featured in the episode -- adds a nice amount of flavour to the show.

I enjoyed season 1 immensely, and I'm looking forward to season 2. Too bad it didn't go on for longer. All in all, this show might not be a groundbreaking masterpiece, but it's also no 5.9.