Very flash and dazzle television highlighted by attractive cast, exotic locations, and cloak and dagger plot.
So you're ex British military, disillusioned from your war experience, and currently a night manager at a four star Cairo hotel. Well... you aren't, but this is how the lead actor finds himself wrapped into the role of an undercover asset trying to take down an international arms dealer.
When you got the skills, are ridiculously hansom, I suppose life moves pretty fast! The Night Manager gets off to a great start, setting up a nice six part series of some serious undercover action. And I'm not just talking about the quickies with equally beautiful women.
If this all sounds too awesome to pass up - quit reading here, and fire this series up! It is unlikely you will be disappointed. However, if you want to know my negative marks, proceed.
The disappointment comes in the last third, where an increasingly unlikely set of choices, circumstances, and results unfold to wrap up the story - just not in most savory of ways to the experienced mediaphile. If one reads or researches enough actual historical espionage - spies are one cold group of mo-fo's who will use any variety of tactics to achieve their ends. This includes lies, betrayal, seduction and true moral ambiguity. Unfortunately, The Night Manager simply doesn't turn the dark corner to deliver the logical payoff. The writers choose to keep the protagonist likable and a man of honor - which sounds good in theory, but the choices rely on a lot of luck and suspension of disbelief to rationalize the outcome.
This may sound harsh - but I'm hoping anyone who reads this watches this series (or already has), to understand my viewpoint. It's really good, recommended - but falls far short of a classic, 7 out of 10.
So you're ex British military, disillusioned from your war experience, and currently a night manager at a four star Cairo hotel. Well... you aren't, but this is how the lead actor finds himself wrapped into the role of an undercover asset trying to take down an international arms dealer.
When you got the skills, are ridiculously hansom, I suppose life moves pretty fast! The Night Manager gets off to a great start, setting up a nice six part series of some serious undercover action. And I'm not just talking about the quickies with equally beautiful women.
If this all sounds too awesome to pass up - quit reading here, and fire this series up! It is unlikely you will be disappointed. However, if you want to know my negative marks, proceed.
The disappointment comes in the last third, where an increasingly unlikely set of choices, circumstances, and results unfold to wrap up the story - just not in most savory of ways to the experienced mediaphile. If one reads or researches enough actual historical espionage - spies are one cold group of mo-fo's who will use any variety of tactics to achieve their ends. This includes lies, betrayal, seduction and true moral ambiguity. Unfortunately, The Night Manager simply doesn't turn the dark corner to deliver the logical payoff. The writers choose to keep the protagonist likable and a man of honor - which sounds good in theory, but the choices rely on a lot of luck and suspension of disbelief to rationalize the outcome.
This may sound harsh - but I'm hoping anyone who reads this watches this series (or already has), to understand my viewpoint. It's really good, recommended - but falls far short of a classic, 7 out of 10.