32/40
Referenced in Soberano Awards (2024)
Scenario
CIA agent Joe tries to balance his personal and professional life as the tip of the spear in the agency’s war on terror. Real-life military advisors helped craft a more authentic execution of weapons handling, house cleaning, deployment, squad base activity, etc… Sir. Sheridan knows how to take us into testosterone-fueled, macho worlds without clichés and seemingly without agenda. It is what it is.
No apologies necessary
His characters are always grounded and he is extremely adept at casting. But to be great you have to write great roles for women. The writing has to be as good, if not better, than for men. Guys are simple. Women are smarter and more complex.
They are strong and compelling
Beth in Yellowstone (great character and performance), the barrel riders, the lonely ranch wife (the fantastic Jen Landon as Teeter), all great female characters who fit into the world of the story in a natural, unforced way. Not just ‘partner of…’ or T&R. He stepped up his game with the excellent Faith Hill character crushed in ‘1883’ followed by Dame Mirren in the misfire that was ‘1923’. Now we have Zoe Saldana doing some of the best work of her career. I absolutely buy her as the head of the CIA in an open marriage (nice touch).
What a turnaround!
I buy De Oliveira as a broken woman with a burning rage who won’t give up and thank you, thank you, thank you writers/directors/producers for NOT letting her get the best of a fellow soldier with an extra-hundred pounds of muscle. Truthfulness first! I think her character is much more interesting if she’s someone who needs to be knocked out or just beaten to the ground before she gives up. Now let’s talk about Jill Wagner or should I say her hair? From schmaltzy Hallmark trash to super badass special forces?
I’m buying it
Special mention: Mrs. Lanier as the obnoxious teenage daughter. I look forward to seeing what arc this loose canon will take, as long as they continue to avoid the teen angst cliché. Good actor, could get interesting…