Leonardo

Really enjoyed this series, the only let down was Freddie Highmore. He just doesn't fit in.

Now I did quite enjoy this rather loose interpretation of the life of Leonardo Da Vinci, but somehow the thing seemed very uncertain as to whom it's audience is/was. It certainly lacks the creative punch of the first season of Tom Riley's "Da Vinci's Demons" (2013) or the familial charm of "Bridgerton" man of the moment Jonathan Bailey's 2011 television series. This seems just too gentile a reflection on the lives and loves of this creative genius. It dwells not on his presumed hedonistic lifestyle; it focuses little on his engineering and artistic prowess and his interesting relationships with the Medici are ignored almost entirely. To be fair, much of the "history" surrounding this man is glorified fable, we actually know a lot less than we assume about his life, but somehow this iteration is little better than an outing for Turner (and his ever changing beard) with little emphasis on his genius - indeed, little enough emphasis on anything substantial, really. Eight parts tell us very little about what made this undoubtedly complex man tick and whilst I wasn't expecting a Showtime sex-fest; I was expecting something a little more interesting/educational/entertaining. Production standards are high but the writing and overall direction condemn it to mediocrity. Shame, it reminded me a little of "Reign" (2013) - the equally sterile depiction of the life of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Rating 6.5/7 There's nothing wrong with fictionalizing the life of famous people long ago or with creative anachronisms. When done well, that's absolutely great. So, I have no great sympathy for those who condemn this solely on the basis of fictional licence.

But, for the life of me, I cannot see why this show is even linked to the life of Leonardo. It's not as if it gives any insight into the nature of art, artistic compulsion, sponsorship or even the making of Leonardo's works. Strip away the famous name (and other names of the time) and what you have is a so-so costume mystery about a murder.

The mystery itself--who killed Caterina--scarcely works, in significant part because Freddie Highmore is poorly cast as the inquistor, Stefano Giraldi--a matter of age, script and, perhaps, performance.

Aidan Turner, fine looking and competent actor though he is, also seems miscast, particularly for the young Leonardo in the earlier episodes. He looks too old and he doesn't convey the passion, innocence and hopefulness of a young man embarking on his career. Nor is there any nuance to his responses to the various opportunities and disappointments to come to him. His scenes with Caterina are often awkward or overblown.

To be fair to the cast, they're not given a lot to work with.

So, if you want to see lots of good looking people in luscious costumes and settings, this may be for you. But, that's about all you'll take away from it.

I am only half-way through but enjoying this series tremendously. Firstly, the history. Having studied the life and works of Leonardo Da Vinci, I know more than many about his life. I discovered some time ago that there are not even two academic books which interpret the man or his work in matching ways. This is because Leonardo is an immensely difficult character to pin down due to scant primary sources. Therefore, I am impressed by how the creators have taken the few historical details available to us of Leonardo's life and personality and built a psychological profile of a living, breathing character in order to access the mind of the genius. It's very cleverly done and mostly seems to be inspired from his diaries and notebooks. Some viewers have forgotten this is a drama not a documentary therefore it must have a beginning, middle and end with twists and turns like all great dramas do. I believe the producers have captured a fascinating version of the spirit of Leonardo as well as portraying many little known facts and events of his life. Secondly, the drama itself: beautiful, passionate and human, just like the man. What a marvellous series to lose yourself in.

Reviews on this have been love or hate. I'm hoping to go for something more balanced.

Let me get a few things straight.

I don't dislike this series because it's "woke." There's evidence to suggest Leonardo was gay, and portraying him as such is entirely justified.

I don't dislike this because it's a fusion of bio pic and murder mystery. That was a bold idea that might have worked.

I don't dislike this because it takes dramatic license with historical truth. We know that anything historical is a version of the truth and that this is not a documentary. We get that.

No, the reason I dislike this is that its bold ambition doesn't work. The script is poor. Exposition is simplistic and anachronistic - at one point, Leonardo compares his mental state to a black hole! But worse than that there's no subtext. Things are made explicit in the script in a way that reflects soap operas, not real life. "You were a mistake," his father tells Leonardo. One wonders whether da Vinci Senior was actually that crass, or whether the script writer just wasn't up to the task.

Aidan Turner looks wonderful, from the young apprentice to the old bearded maestro, but aside from a few touching moments, this is not his best performance. Acting props go to James D'Arcy's Ludovico Sforza, played with a masterly blend of camp and menace, and to Carlos Cuevas, who is perfectly cast as Salai. Freddie Highmore, on the other hand, is badly out of his depth.

It looks beautiful, with many frames set up almost as masterpieces in their own right. I'd be happy just to watch as his works of art took shape, but you can't get an 8-part series out of that. My heart sinks to hear of a second series. What are they going to do - accuse him of murdering someone else? It's a strange way to treat one of history's greatest geniuses.