Reviewing HBO’s Best Miniseries: 2008’s John Adams
I’m always on the hunt for quality TV shows to watch. In honor of President’s Day earlier this month, I decided to check out an older miniseries that I’d heard of but had never gotten around to watching: HBO’s John Adams.
John Adams originally aired as a seven-part miniseries in 2008 (which is somehow already 18 years ago). The show, as its title suggests, chronicles the life of Founding Father and eventual president John Adams. The series begins in 1770 when Adams acted as a well-respected lawyer, then follows him through instrumental events like his time as a Founding Father, his eventual service as the second President of the United States, and finally his death in 1826.
Each of the series’ seven episodes, though they are in chronological order, are somewhat separate from one another in that they’re telling a distinct story about a specific part of Adam’s life. This lends itself to the feel that each episode is a short movie as opposed to a part of a longer series. The fact that each episode is over an hour in length, with the longest topping out at over an hour-and-a-half, further adds to this feeling. It’s something that I came to appreciate – each episode is as long as it needs to be to tell a complete part of Adam’s life.
Overall, this is an outstanding miniseries. Every aspect of the show, from the direction to the sets to the story is just spot on great. Though it’s 18-years old, nothing about the series dates it as having come out in 2008. This could easily be a current series airing today. When watching John Adams viewers will really feel as though they’re watching history unfold before their eyes.
Much of this is due to the fantastic acting on the show. It all starts with our protagonist, John Adams himself, played masterfully by Paul Giamatti. Adams is a unique character; he’s far from your typical leading man. He’s hardheaded, opinionated, and, at times, an extremely difficult person. Still, Giamatti is able to play him with a real humanity and is successful at showing Adams as a complete person, flaws and all.
Really though, all of the acting is great. Laura Linney plays Abigail Adams, who wasn’t only John’s wife, but also the person he sought advice and guidance from on just about all matters. The relationship between John and Abigail is one of two central relationships depicted that brings the entire series together. These are two people who’re very different from one another, but who are still very much in love and complement one another.
The second most important character relationship on the show is between Adams and fellow Founding Father/third President of the United States Thomas Jefferson. These two friends and rivals have a complicated connection that evolves over time. The series does a great job overall with its portrayal of many Founding Fathers in different episodes, like Benjamin Franklin and George Washington.
At the time of its release, John Adams was a critical hit, and it won 13 Emmy awards and four Golden Globes. However, I think that, since it was only a single season, John Adams isn’t recognized as one of the better HBO shows of all time as it should rightly be.
Surely, this is one of the better miniseries out there and one of the best pieces of media to watch about our Founding Fathers. While America is currently in a place of great division politically, it can be refreshing to look back and watch a show about the captivating origins of the nation. It’s a show that inspires pride in being an American and an important watch.
If you haven’t seen John Adams and are interested in American history, this is an excellent, extremely well put together miniseries that’s deserving of your time.
Grade: 9.5/10