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Television and film, while both visual storytelling mediums, are fundamentally different. This isn’t a groundbreaking statement, it’s a basic truth. However, somewhere along the line, producers and showrunners started to blur the lines by structuring TV shows like extended movies. I’m not against long movies – David Fincher’s “Zodiac” is a personal favorite that I can rewatch any day – but when it comes to TV series, I expect a different format. I don’t want a film stretched out over multiple hours. The latest HBO series, “The Penguin,” spun-off from Matt Reeves’ exceptional “The Batman,” is a prime example of this trend, and it suffers as a result. The pacing hampers the overall series, leading to a loss of interest as the story drags on without any standout episodes.
Reflect back on some of the best shows during the golden age of TV. “Mad Men,” “Breaking Bad,” and of course, “The Sopranos,” a series that clearly had a significant influence on “The Penguin.” What’s the common thread? They’re structured as TV shows! Each season unfolds a larger narrative, but individual episodes stand alone, with clear beginnings, middles, and ends. This is what makes these shows so memorable: individual episodes stick in our minds, creating a larger picture over time. Unfortunately, “The Penguin” lacks this quality, making it hard to recall a single episode, which is a shame considering the show’s potential. Ultimately, it feels like this could have been better served as a movie. If the Joker can have his own standalone movie (and win an Oscar and a sequel), why not the Penguin?
A Batman Series Without Batman: The Penguin
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Is it possible to have a Batman series without Batman? “The Penguin” is betting on it. The absence of Robert Pattinson’s emo Dark Knight might seem strange, especially since the series takes place right after “The Batman.” In the film, the Penguin, played by an unrecognizable Colin Farrell thanks to impressive makeup, is a low-level gangster working for mob boss Carmine Falcone in Gotham City. By the end of the movie, Falcone is dead, Gotham is in chaos due to a terrorist attack orchestrated by the Riddler, and the Penguin is dreaming of bigger things.
As “The Penguin” starts, Oswald “Oz” Cobb, the real name of the Penguin, is ready to make a name for himself. While the character provided comic relief in “The Batman,” “The Penguin” series delves into Oz’s pitiful, sociopathic nature. Farrell’s portrayal of Oz as a loser and a schemer, willing to lie, cheat, and kill for his benefit, elevates the series. The show and the actor aren’t afraid to portray Oz as one of the most unlikable main characters on TV. Oz is a bundle of neurotic neediness, a violent temper, and a hatred for the world. He’s tired of being a loser, always scraping by while others succeed. When will it be his turn?
Following Carmine Falcone’s death, Oz sees an opportunity to seize power. However, it won’t be easy, especially since Carmine’s infamous daughter Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) has just been released from Arkham after a decade. Oz and Sofia have a history – he used to be her driver – and it’s clear that Sofia doesn’t trust him, and for good reason. While the show is titled “The Penguin,” it’s just as focused on Sofia, a damaged character with a tragic backstory. Milioti is quite good here, deliberately avoiding overacting even when the scene calls for her to appear unstable. We end up liking her more than Oz, despite her heinous actions.
Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti: The Driving Force Behind The Penguin
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“The Penguin” is a dark series, both in theme and visual style (unfortunately, the series’ aesthetics fall short of replicating Greig Fraser’s stunning cinematography from “The Batman”). While there are occasional daytime scenes that look rather flat and bland, the majority of the series is set in the shadows, as characters navigate Gotham’s underworld. Since the show primarily focuses on villainous characters, the content is often bleak. The only ray of hope is Victor (Rhenzy Feliz), a street kid who becomes Oz’s errand boy. Victor is a good kid at heart, and much of the series explores how he’s gradually corrupted by Oz’s criminal world. Oz sees something in this kid – or does he? The Penguin character is so morally bankrupt that we can’t trust anything he says. His only real allegiance is to his mentally disturbed mother, played by Deirdre O’Connell (the fact that this is a show about a gangster with mommy issues is yet another nod to “The Sopranos”).
Farrell, once again unrecognizable under all that makeup, consistently delivers throughout the series. While most of the cast leans heavily into their New Yawk-ish wise guy accents, Farrell thrives in portraying such a despicable character. Oz is practically irredeemable, yet Farrell manages to find a kind of wounded heart within this monstrous character. If “The Penguin” is worth watching, it’s for the lead performances of Farrell and Milioti, who more or less shares the lead role. Even when the story falls flat, these two actors rise to the challenge and deliver exceptional performances. The 8-hour movie approach may fail the series, but you’ll likely find yourself drawn to these deeply flawed characters and the havoc they wreak.
/Film Rating: 6 out of 10
“The Penguin” premieres on September 19 on HBO and will be available to stream on Max.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com