We all enjoyed his work in classic shows like Seinfeld and Malcom in the Middle, but with others usually being in the limelight on those sitcoms, Bryan Cranston never really registered as a big name until he landed the role of Walter White aka Heisenberg in Breaking Bad. The craze of that show, led to Emmys, worldwide fame, an Oscar nomination (Trumbo) and A-lister status. So whatever this great actor touches henceforth is now observed with great anticipation. But, with great anticipation also come great scrutiny, and truth be told, Bryan Cranston hasn't done anything (at least on the small screen) of Breaking-Bad level since the show ended back in 2013. Of course, nothing may ever come close, but none of his other TV and OTT work other than Sneaky Pete has as big an impression, and that too, had him in not more than an extended cameo. Well, it's time for all you Bryan Cranston fans and admirers to rejoice again, because in Your Honor, he's finally leading another show that's as morally ambiguous and almost (not quite, but close enough) as addictive as Breaking Bad.
Scroll down for my full Your Honor review (based on the first four episodes watched at an advanced screening)...
What's it about
Michael Desiato (Bryan Cranston) is a judge of great repute and a strong moral compass, always looking to do what's right by the innocent, even if it means to bring his fellow lawmakers and law-keepers to task. Imagine his dilemma and how his code of justice is then sent for a toss when he has to protect his teenage son, Adam Desiato (Hunter Doohan), at all costs, after he's involved in a hit-and-run, and can't turn himself in later on when both father and son realise that the victim's father, Jimmy Baxter (Michael Stuhlbarg) is the head of the mightiest crime syndicate in New Orleans, USA.
What's hot
Your Honor is Bryan Cranston and Bryan Cranston is Your Honor. As addictive a watch as it is, this Showtime (on Voot in India) miniseries wouldn't have been half as good as it ends up if it wasn't for the gifted actor chewing every frame he's in, masking the flaws around him. It also helps that he's aided by a game supporting cast, among whom Hunter Doohan and the veteran, Michael Stuhlbarg, shine the most (going by the first four episodes). Having not watched the Israeli original, all we can assume is that writer-creator Peter Moffat (Criminal Justice, Silk) has done a solid job at adapting the show, with several morally questionable scenarios that thrust good humans in impossibly compromising situations, and weaving an intriguing, compulsive narrative around it. James Friend's camerawork and Volker Bertelmann's music ensure that the limited series scores on the technical front, too.
What's not
When I had mentioned earlier that Cranston masks the flaws around him, it's because for all it's good points, Your Honor is nowhere close to Breaking Bad as far as being a flawless show goes. Within the first four episodes itself (the amount I got to view), there are a handful of plot-holes that could've been taken care of as also certain moments that demand suspension of disbelief and challenge your focus, which become all the more prominent as they jut out against a canvas that's pretty well weaved for the most part. Also, Lynne Willingham and Tim Murrell's editing leaves a lot to be desired, as each episode could've easily been trimmed by 10-12 minutes.
BL Verdict
Despite a few albeit prominent weaker bits, Your Honor serves you a Bryan Cranston-led show after some time that keeps you hooked and booked, and where the star is in top form, and that's more than enough to binge this one. I'm going with 3.5 out of 5 stars.
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