American Tragedy

Friday Jun 26, 2009
Jackson asked:

(Miniseries; CBS, Sun. Nov. 12, Wed. Nov. 15, 9 p.m.)

Filmed in Los Angeles by Lawrence Schiller Prods. in association with Fox Television Studios. Executive producers, Barry Levinson, Lawrence Schiller, Tom Fontana; producers, Lynn Raynor, Schiller; director, Schiller; writer, Norman Mailer, based on the book by Schiller, James Willwerth; director of photography, Bruce Surtees; production designer, Michael Baugh; editor, Peter Zinner, Katina Zinner; music, Bill Conti; casting, Judith Holstra. 4 hours.

Johnnie Cochran …. Ving Rhames

Bob Shapiro …. Ron Silver

Barry Scheck …. Bruno Kirby

Carl Douglas …. Darryl Alan Reed

Gerry Uelman …. Nicolas Pryor

Bob Kardashian …. Robert LuPone

Chris Darden …. Ruben Santiago-Hudson

Marcia Clark …. Diana LaMar

Shawn Chapman …. Sandra Prosper

Judge Ito …. Clyde Kusatsu

F. Lee Bailey …. Christopher Plummer

Alan Dershowitz …. Richard Cox

Jeanette Harris …. Sandra Thigpen

Jo-Ellan Dimitrius …. Cordelia Richards

Bill Hodgman …. Francis Guinan

Bill Pavelic …. Jeff Kober

Bill Blasier …. Peter Mackenzie

With: Raymond Forchion, Jim Lau, Barry Sigismondi, Charmaine Cruz, Larry Car-roll, Leah Sanders, Jean-Paul Vignon, Meeghan Holaway, Davenia McFadden, Bee-Be Smith, Amanda Rogers, Mary Grady, Judith Montgomery, David Margolick, Kate McNeil, Rick Shuman, Andre Rosey Brown, James Burke, Betsy C. Spear, Seth C. Abero, Robert Pike Daniel, Jennifer Echols, Cheryl Francis Harrington, Cee-Cee Harshaw, Jean-Carlos Felix, Mike

Walker, Ian Patrick Williams, Sylvia S. James.

First rule of thumb in courtroom dramas, most writing coaches would say, is to avoid courtroom scenes. They tend to make the action static and limit the drama that can better be explained through re-enactments and flashbacks that re-late to testimony. But this CBS mini is in the adept hands of Lawrence Schiller and writer Norman Mailer who manage to craft this story with an impeccable eye for detail and a flair for nuanced drama. Greatly

enhanced by Christopher Plummer’s Emmy-worthy turn as F. Lee Bailey, “American Tragedy” is about as good as TV gets in retelling a story where the entire audience already knows the ins, the outs and the outcome.

To a certain extent, the O.J. Simpson trial rewrote the book on how to set a compelling drama within the halls of justice; in its wake have been a series of well-received shows and films that rely on a newfound patience for and, possi-bly, a comprehension of law. Court dramas, particularly TV’s “Law & Order” and “The Practice” and the films “The Insider,” “Erin Brockovich” and “A Civil Ac-tion,” are of a considerably different tone than their

predecessors. “American Tragedy” follows a story arc not unlike that of “A Civil Action.”

Subtext of this tragedy is the battle of wits and ego as attorneys Johnnie Cochran (Ving Rhames) and Robert Shapiro (Ron Silver) evolve into publicity-craving grandstanders, hungry for positions of power in social and legal cir-cles. Shapiro starts strong and fades to the background as the story moves from the planning to the execution; Cochran grows from an aw-shucks innocent into a media-savvy bully, suggesting Shapiro gave him a stage to become a star.

Schiller stands alone as a director of screenplays based on his books, his last being the JonBenet Ramsey saga “Perfect Murder, Perfect Town.” In “American Tragedy” he takes part one to dissect the pretrial legal strategy from the first phone call placed to Shapiro up to the jurors’ tour of Simpson’s Brentwood es-tate. Part two starts with L.A. police detective Mark Fuhrman taking the stand and closes with the real Simpson mouthing

“thank you” to the jury as he stands between the superimposed fictional Cochran and Barry Scheck (Bruno Kirby).

Mini sheds little light on anything that might not have been known before, though viewers will certainly bring their own recollections to bear in judging show’s veracity. Where, for example, is Cochran donning the knit cap or Nicole Brown’s relatives or Kato Kaelin? Actual footage of the father of the murdered Ronald Goldman reminds that two people lost their lives, but the media barrage from the Goldmans and Browns that reverberated through Los Angeles seems, at most, to be background noise in these lawyers’ lives.

All views of Simpson are obscured by scenery or darkness, though his presence is felt constantly through the speaker phone. He advises his lawyers about their conduct, tactics and even diction, but mostly he exclaims “I didn’t do it” over and over and over.

The real trial brought this legal dream team into America’s homes for so long that the actors’ physical traits work for and against them. Plummer fully enve-lopes Bailey’s determination and the pride-swallowing he has to do as his tac-tics and advice are shot down by the two other big cheeses. As DNA expert Barry Scheck, Kirby benefits from a reasonably close resemblance and Kirby’s naturally squirrely acting style.

The two leads are problematic, though. Rhames is far bigger than the lean Cochran, and his presence is far more in-your-face intimidating than the real-life Cochran ever appeared to be. Cochran, from most accounts, was slick and calculated. In “American Tragedy,” he is driven by anger and blind ambition.

Silver’s Shapiro is all too familiar, his portrayal disturbingly similar to the way he played Alan Dershowitz in the pic “Reversal of Fortune” and the late concert promoter Bill Graham in the one-man stage show “Bill Graham Presents.” He handles pomposity and deviousness well — enough to make one wonder if his Shapiro portrayal isn’t the one that’s most dead-on.

Clyde Kusatsu makes for a fine Judge Ito, and Darryl Alan Reed admirably makes the most of the thankless role lawyer Carl Douglas played during the trial. Robert LuPone is constrained by the way Bob Kardashian is written — as an uncouth yes-man — and Ruben Santiago-Hudson has to play prosecutor Chris Darden as enemy to all. Diana LaMar’s Marcia Clark is effective but limited.

Technically, the pic is remarkably sharp as Schiller’s direction is clean and pointed. Editing by Peter and Katina Zinner is seamless, briskly moving the ac-tion on the first night and enhancing the collapse of the various relationships on the second. One well-done aspect is the marriage of new footage with actual cross-examination of witnesses such as Fuhrman.

Mini makes extensive use of downtown L.A. and Westside locales, from restau-rants to law offices to homes. It’s all as real as a 45 mph ride down the San Diego Freeway.

Michael Jackson Music

Michael Jackson Autographs

Michael Jackson Memorabilia

Signed Michael Jackson A4 card - Original version - Also contains note RARE
Signed Michael Jackson A4 card - Original version - Also contains note RARE
Paypal   US $238.87
MAXI LASER. LIONEL RICHIE, MICHAEL JACKSON, POINTER SISTERS, RICK JAMES, ECT. LP
MAXI LASER. LIONEL RICHIE, MICHAEL JACKSON, POINTER SISTERS, RICK JAMES, ECT. LP
Paypal   US $12.99
Michael Jackson Beat It Jacket Free Billie Jean Glove
Michael Jackson Beat It Jacket Free Billie Jean Glove
Paypal   US $47.44
MICHAEL JACKSON Vintage Plastic Pin Button Badge on backing card
MICHAEL JACKSON Vintage Plastic Pin Button Badge on backing card
Paypal   US $4.73
MICHAEL JACKSON SMOOTH CRIMINAL 12
MICHAEL JACKSON SMOOTH CRIMINAL 12" 80'S POP
Paypal   US $8.70
Secret Story by Pat Metheny (CD, Jul-1992, Geffen)
Secret Story by Pat Metheny (CD, Jul-1992, Geffen)
Paypal   US $5.99
GUNS N ROSES - CHINESE DEMOCRACY - NEW
GUNS N ROSES - CHINESE DEMOCRACY - NEW
Paypal   US $4.73
GUNS N ROSES - CHINESE DEMOCRACY - NEW
GUNS N ROSES - CHINESE DEMOCRACY - NEW
Paypal   US $4.73
Beaches (CD, Nov-1988, Atlantic)
Beaches (CD, Nov-1988, Atlantic)
Paypal   US $.99
We've Got Tonight by Kenny Rogers (Cassette, Sep-199...
We've Got Tonight by Kenny Rogers (Cassette, Sep-199...
Paypal   US $.99
45 MICHAEL JACKSON
45 MICHAEL JACKSON "I JUST CAN'T STOP LOVING YOU" W/ PS
Paypal   US $.99
Michael Jackson Ben 12
Michael Jackson Ben 12 " LP - From the Motion Picture Ben
Paypal   US $11.99
Michael Jackson World Tour History Jacket+Pant
Michael Jackson World Tour History Jacket+Pant
Paypal   US $47.44
Shooting Straight in the Dark by Mary Chapin Carpenter (CD, Oct-1990, Columbi...
Shooting Straight in the Dark by Mary Chapin Carpenter (CD, Oct-1990, Columbi...
Paypal   US $.99
Q2K by Queensrÿche (CD, Sep-1999, Atlantic)
Q2K by Queensrÿche (CD, Sep-1999, Atlantic)
Paypal   US $1.99
Lucky Man by Dave Koz (CD, Jun-1993, Capitol/EMI Records)
Lucky Man by Dave Koz (CD, Jun-1993, Capitol/EMI Records)
Paypal   US $5.99
Original UK 1973
Original UK 1973 "DISCO 45 SONG BOOK" - Mott The Hoople, Bowie, Suzi Quatro, etc
Paypal   US $1.57
Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 by Natalie Cole (CD, Nov-2000, Elektra)
Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 by Natalie Cole (CD, Nov-2000, Elektra)
Paypal   US $5.99
Powered by phpBay Pro

Michael Jackson Autograph Magazine Special—August 2009
Michael Jackson Autograph Magazine Special—August 2009
Paypal   US $8.95
MICHAEL JACKSON's authentic signed picture
MICHAEL JACKSON's authentic signed picture
Paypal   US $152.50
Suzanne Packer Casualty Signed Photo Autograph Film Movie Holby TV Doctor
Suzanne Packer Casualty Signed Photo Autograph Film Movie Holby TV Doctor
Paypal   US $1.57
Michael Jackson Guitar Pick Set Display LIMITED EDITION #3
Michael Jackson Guitar Pick Set Display LIMITED EDITION #3
Paypal   US $15.99
Keira Knightley.....SEXY.......SIGNED....99p only..(excls p+p).....6X4 PRE PRINT
Keira Knightley.....SEXY.......SIGNED....99p only..(excls p+p).....6X4 PRE PRINT
Paypal   US $1.57
1997 Autographed Picture of Michael Jackson ( Original not a reprint )
1997 Autographed Picture of Michael Jackson ( Original not a reprint )
Paypal   US $500.00
MICHAEL JACKSON AUTOGRAPH EXAMINATION AUTHENTICATION /PAAS
MICHAEL JACKSON AUTOGRAPH EXAMINATION AUTHENTICATION /PAAS
Paypal   US $6.99
Jason Statham......BUY 1 GET 1 FREE...Signed..6X4 PRE PRINT
Jason Statham......BUY 1 GET 1 FREE...Signed..6X4 PRE PRINT
Paypal   US $1.57
Gerard Butler..BUY 1 GET 1 FREE .Signed..6X4 PRE PRINT
Gerard Butler..BUY 1 GET 1 FREE .Signed..6X4 PRE PRINT
Paypal   US $1.57
George Michael............BUY 1 GET 1 FREE......Signed..6X4 PRE PRINT
George Michael............BUY 1 GET 1 FREE......Signed..6X4 PRE PRINT
Paypal   US $1.57
Kelly Clarkson............BUY 1 GET 1 FREE......Signed..6X4 PRE PRINT
Kelly Clarkson............BUY 1 GET 1 FREE......Signed..6X4 PRE PRINT
Paypal   US $1.57
Mohamed Ali and George Foreman.....BUY 1 GET 1 FREE......Signed..5X3 PRE PRINT
Mohamed Ali and George Foreman.....BUY 1 GET 1 FREE......Signed..5X3 PRE PRINT
Paypal   US $1.57
THE BEE-GEE'S AUTHENTIC AUTOGRAPHED PROMO CD W/ALL THREE SIGNATURES
THE BEE-GEE'S AUTHENTIC AUTOGRAPHED PROMO CD W/ALL THREE SIGNATURES
Paypal   US $200.00
MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED TIME MAGAZINE
MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED TIME MAGAZINE
Paypal   US $5,900.00
Danni Minogue.......SEXY.......SIGNED..99p only..(excls p+p).....6X4 PRE PRINT
Danni Minogue.......SEXY.......SIGNED..99p only..(excls p+p).....6X4 PRE PRINT
Paypal   US $1.57
Michael Jackson (2).............SIGNED....99p only..(excls p+p)....6X4 PRE PRINT
Michael Jackson (2).............SIGNED....99p only..(excls p+p)....6X4 PRE PRINT
Paypal   US $1.57
Mohamed Ali and George Foreman...SIGNED..99p only..(excls p+p).....5X4 PRE PRINT
Mohamed Ali and George Foreman...SIGNED..99p only..(excls p+p).....5X4 PRE PRINT
Paypal   US $1.57
Megan Fox....Gorgeous..........SIGNED....99p only..(excls p+p).....6X4 PRE PRINT
Megan Fox....Gorgeous..........SIGNED....99p only..(excls p+p).....6X4 PRE PRINT
Paypal   US $1.57
Powered by phpBay Pro

Related Blogs

  • Related Blogs on Alan Dershowitz
  • Related Blogs on Jennifer Echols

Related Blogs

  • Related Blogs on Alan Dershowitz

Related Blogs

  • Related Blogs on Alan Dershowitz

Related Blogs

  • Related Blogs on Alan Dershowitz
  • Related Blogs on Jennifer Echols

Related Blogs

  • Related Blogs on Alan Dershowitz
  • Related Blogs on Jennifer Echols

Related Blogs

  • Related Blogs on Jennifer Echols

Related Blogs

  • Related Blogs on Alan Dershowitz
  • Related Blogs on Jennifer Echols

Related Articles:

Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.

Add to Del.cio.us RSS Feed Add to Technorati Favorites Stumble It! Digg It!
    www.sajithmr.com

Leave a Reply

Comment