If there's anyone who have shaped the frame of a generation with their work on the screen, it's Barry Jenkins. Not only has he mesmerized us through great tales on the big screen, but his latest effort is a limited series, based on the best-selling 2016 historical fiction novel by Colton Whitehead "The Underground Railroad." Many have already been quick to label this show as wrong since it deals with revisionist history, but in the hands of someone like Jenkins, I'm sure it'll be special. And the first episode doesn't only start the show off with a bang but provides us with a visual masterpiece.
Not only is this a Barry Jenkins project on paper, but it looks like a Barry Jenkins project. He has brought some of the most beautiful visuals to the big screen through his collaborations with James Laxton, and in their fifth overall collaboration, they bring the same magic to the small screen. The horrific era of history that this was, has never looked as beautiful than it does here, with real mastery put into every single frame. Jenkins knows exactly he needs to do to make this as pleasing for the eyes as possible. And when dealing with something this horrific in terms of story, the beauty and the scope of it all is there to keep the audience invested. It's not all nice imagery, though, as they are not afraid to show the visceral violence committed against the slaves. He's committed to this 100% of the way and makes it pop out on screen. The writing of this episode is also excellent, and despite its at times frustratingly slow pace, it keeps you engaged in the task at hand. These characters are caught in the inhumanity of the time, so Jenkins doesn't rely heavily on introduction to the characters as we will already be behind every move they make. It's obvious that Jenkins never meant for this to be an accurate portrayal of history, but through the fantastical elements of the story, he crafts something that's much more powerful in terms of storytelling. This show is visceral, and it really gets the job done.
"Chapter 1: Georgia" is a masterfully crafted episode on the technical side that makes the south of the 1800s come to life in all its shades. The storytelling is powerful and heavily reliant on the strong writing of Jenkins, plus the cast that all provide thrilling life to these characters and motivation to their mission.
Not only is this a Barry Jenkins project on paper, but it looks like a Barry Jenkins project. He has brought some of the most beautiful visuals to the big screen through his collaborations with James Laxton, and in their fifth overall collaboration, they bring the same magic to the small screen. The horrific era of history that this was, has never looked as beautiful than it does here, with real mastery put into every single frame. Jenkins knows exactly he needs to do to make this as pleasing for the eyes as possible. And when dealing with something this horrific in terms of story, the beauty and the scope of it all is there to keep the audience invested. It's not all nice imagery, though, as they are not afraid to show the visceral violence committed against the slaves. He's committed to this 100% of the way and makes it pop out on screen. The writing of this episode is also excellent, and despite its at times frustratingly slow pace, it keeps you engaged in the task at hand. These characters are caught in the inhumanity of the time, so Jenkins doesn't rely heavily on introduction to the characters as we will already be behind every move they make. It's obvious that Jenkins never meant for this to be an accurate portrayal of history, but through the fantastical elements of the story, he crafts something that's much more powerful in terms of storytelling. This show is visceral, and it really gets the job done.
"Chapter 1: Georgia" is a masterfully crafted episode on the technical side that makes the south of the 1800s come to life in all its shades. The storytelling is powerful and heavily reliant on the strong writing of Jenkins, plus the cast that all provide thrilling life to these characters and motivation to their mission.