CONFIRMATION Of Belief

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: 'Confirmation' on Blogcritics.

HBO’s recent television movie, Confirmation, will be available on Blu-ray and DVD August 2nd, and has already been released for digital download and streaming. It’s the story of Anita Hill accusing Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment during his Supreme Court nomination hearing in 1991. Or, it tells a relatively one-sided, focused version of a small part of the story with a clear message and point that the film’s producers are trying to get across.

That may sound like a condemnation of the movie, but it is not. I merely want to state what this is before moving forward to talk about it. It is completely fair for someone to make a movie with a specific purpose in mind; many movies fall into that category. What is unusual is for a piece like this to come out when public opinion is still divided, at a time when our country has rarely been more partisan, with racism having been brought back to the forefront yet again, and many of the players involved are still in positions of power. Confirmation itself is a narrow story, but the issues it brings up are many, varied, and still very relevant.

Played by Scandal‘s Kerry Washington, Anita Hill is a sympathetic woman who did what she had to do in order to pursue a career in her chosen field, but who also has strong principles she cannot ignore when this man she was harassed by is given the chance to join the highest court in the land. She takes a little urging to come forward, but she refuses to lie even before that, and she does believe Clarence Thomas (Wendell Pierce, Treme, The Odd Couple) doesn’t deserve a job on the Supreme Court and should be stopped.

Despite it being clear where the writers think the truth lies, Confirmation does a pretty decent job of showing the different viewpoints various individuals involved have, providing a more complex story than the above description indicates. There are the female staffers like Ricki Seidman (Grace Gummer, Mr. Robot, The Newsroom) and Carolyn Hart (Zoe Lister-Jones, Life in Pieces) who are frustrated at the limitations their bosses follow. There are the white men on the judiciary committee like Joe Biden (Greg Kinnear, Little Miss Sunshine), Ted Kennedy (Treat Williams, Chicago Fire), Jack Danforth (Bill Irwin,Interstellar), Orrin Hatch (Dylan Baker, The Good Wife), and Alan Simpson (Peter McRobbie, Lincoln) whose own actions and political positions color how they see the situation, and whose race and class makes it hard for them to fully understand all sides. We see Thomas’ wife, Ginni (Alison Wright, The Americans), and how she believes what she has to. And there are others, played by the likes of Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family), Jeffrey Wright (Boardwalk Empire), Malcolm Gets (Caroline in the City), Erika Christensen (Parenthood), Kimberly Elise (Close to Home), and Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls) that each bring a little something to add to the overall picture, too.

So while the movie itself is, at its core, quite biased, because of a very strong cast and good writing, the characters make the world seem more complex. It isn’t quite as straight forward as it might be. Add to that a very strong message of gender equality, how the race card can be misused, good historical context, and an empowered hero, and the result is something that, while not the most entertaining film made by this network, feels important and engaging. Because of what this movie says about our society, past and present, it is worthy of our attention.

The extras are sadly few and shallow. There are one-minute interviews with Kerry Washington and Wendell Pierce, and a thirteen-minute series of quick bios about each of the major players. That’s it. I really wish some documentary-style featurette were present to talk about the real events and the consequences of them, but that is left to a sequence in the end credits that, while satisfying for the viewing of the feature, is disappointing in fully fleshing out what Confirmation is. What’s missing most is a discussion about the angle that the movie takes and why that choice was made, as well as why other directions were not gone in.

Still, it’s a good film, so check it out. Confirmation can be bought digitally now, and will be out on disc on August 2nd.

Smash is finally "On Broadway"

Article first published as SMASH Season 2 Premiere Review at Seat42F

Grade: 91%

NBC’s SMASH returns tonight with two new hours. Having viewed the first half of the sophomore premiere, I can report that some positive changes have been made that should improve the series, but fans will be satisfied that it mostly remains the same show it was in the freshman run.

As “On Broadway” begins, the previews in Boston are over, and cast and crew return to New York City. The first task is for Eileen (Anjelica Huston) to book a theater, and she already has one in mind – the legendary St. James. However, just when things look to be a go, her financial actions come back to bite her in the butt.

It’s not surprising, really. After all, nothing can come easy in a television series like this for the show within a show. If it did, SMASH would lack drama and driving force. Our heroes have to overcome obstacles. That’s what shapes them into the strong, triumphant figures that we love to root for.

Eileen is taken to a bad place here. She basically crosses the line to save the show, and not just for herself. She believes in Bombshell, and doesn’t want to disappoint all the people who work so hard on it. But because it’s her fault that this happens, you have to feel bad for her, and realize how hard it must be for her to admit to everyone that she has let them down.

The most likely path for Eileen to turn down next is to go to her sleazy ex, Jerry (Michael Cristofer), for help. He still lurks on the fringes, and has probably exacerbated Eileen’s problems for his own benefit. But if he can save the show, I guess it will be good that Eileen might rely on him again, and it could even give her yet another challenge to overcome.

Of course, even once Eileen get the business end of things worked out, Bombshell won’t be out of the woods. As the reviews have revealed, the music is great, but the book sucks. This falls squarely on the shoulders of Julia (Debra Messing), who is distracted by personal worries, as well, especially after a development involving Frank (Brian d’Arcy James, now a recurring player) happens in “On Broadway.” She has her work cut out for her.

How much is Julia supposed to take? Yes, she screws up majorly, but her situation is even more dire than Eileen’s. Both of the are examples of strong, successful, driven women who are having trouble catching a break right now. I’m sure they’ll get through it, but it’s hard to watch them in pain.

Rounding out the trio of suffering females is Ivy (Megan Hilty). Now that Karen (Katharine McPhee) is firmly the star, and Ivy has not made up with her, it seems like Ivy will likely be out of Bombshell. Not permanently, I would imagine, given how much Hilty brings to the role, and how essential Ivy seems to the show. But for now, the odds are against her.

Why does SMASH choose to focus on these girls, and give them so much bad to deal with? It makes for good television, but it’s also depressing. Those writing SMASH off as a light, frothy musical are dead wrong.

Others in the cast don’t have it so bad. Tom (Christian Borle) is happy with Sam (Leslie Odom Jr.), and even though their relationship has a trial ahead, they seem to be in a good place, and so they can overcome. Karen is being hailed as a new star, and might even have a new love interest in her life in the form of wanna-be Broadway composer Jimmy (Jeremy Jordan). Derek (Jack Davenport) may be the captain of a floundering ship, but his reputation remains intact, and he’ll bounce back, just like Bombshell.

A new element SMASH introduces in “On Broadway” is Tony-award winning actress Veronica Moore (Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls). It’s not clear what part she might play in the larger story, and she isn’t brought in with any connection to Bombshell. But Veronica makes quite an impression in her first episode, and it sounds like the producers have plans for her, so it’ll be interesting to see how she is drawn into the inner circle.

If you watch SMASH mainly for the musical numbers, “On Broadway” has you covered. From Karen’s big opening, to Veronica’s introduction, to a duet between the two, an enticing solo by a new male cast member, and Ivy’s lament, there are plenty of tasty treats. The numbers themselves may not be super memorable, but they will wash over you in a very nice way while they are being performed.

I’m glad to see stick-in-the-muds like Julia’s family and Dev reduced or dropped from the cast, and even bitchy Elias is gone. The newbies, like Hudson’s character and Karen’s love interest, are very talented. The new direction for SMASH seems to be that conflict will come from within, rather than without, and there will be better showcases for the positives. I dig it, and while “On Broadway” stays true enough to the characters to feel like the SMASH I fell for last season, the tweaks they’ve made work, and I’m anxious to see more.

SMASH returns Tuesday, February 5th at 9 p.m. ET.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter.

Glee Triumphant!

     Fox's Glee went on intermission last night, and like most intermissions, it is far too long.  They will be taking seventeen long weeks off before returning in April, and it will be the longest wait of many television viewer's lives...  Ok, perhaps I am exaggerating the situation a little, but you'll forgive, as I just finished viewing the finale episode moments ago, and it was knock-your-socks-and-shoes-and-everything-else-off fantastic.

     The show centers on McKinley High School's Glee Club.  While McKinley High School in Ohio is real, the series doesn't actually resemble the real place, but for an Ohioian like me (I lived in Ohio all of my life until two months ago), it doesn't matter.  It's a thrill to simply be referenced.  The club is led by Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison), who finally has gotten rid of his annoying, scheming, shallow wife, Terri (Jessalyn Gilsig, Heroes) and overcome all obstacles.  Will got to end the final episode of the fall kissing the woman he was always meant to be with, school guidance counselor, Emma Pillsbury (Jayma Mays, also of Heroes).  Of course, Will is not yet divorced, but hopefully, that will soon be corrected.  If you aren't a fan and you think he has no excuse to be kissing anyone when he's married, keep in mind that his wife lied to him about being pregnant, and he had already told her it was over.  However, what the ramifications will be for Emma's recent ex-fiance, Ken (Patrick Gallagher, Night at the Museum).  Rounding out the adults is the villain of the show, cheerleader coach Sue Sylvester, played by the inestimable Jane Lynch.  While Sue did finally get her comeuppance, she will be returning for revenge, and to highly entertain everyone.  I submit, she may be the best part of the show, and that is saying something.

     Moving on to the students themselves, almost all of whom were virtual unknowns before being cast, my favorite is Kurt (Chris Colfer), who continues to get too little screen time, but has some of the most moving plot.  The one I give best scene to in this final episode, though, is Mercedes (Amber Riley).  I submit that her performance of "I Am Telling You" rivaled even Jennifer Hudson's.  She got to stand up to the head diva, and come out gracefully.  That diva, of course, is Rachel (Lea Michele) who single-handedly won Sectionals before the others opened their mouths with her opening number "Don't Rain On My Parade".  It doesn't matter that she didn't get her guy yet.  Now that Finn (Cory Monteith, Kyle XY) found out that Quinn (Dianna Agron, yet again, Heroes) is actually pregnant with Puck's (Mark Salling) baby, he will certainly be hers by the time the show returns.  Speaking of Finn, his shining moment was more quarterback than soloist, but it works for him.  It was wonderful to see some of the background students get a little plot, too, concerning who betrayed the club.


     It will come to no surprise to anyone that the kids took first place at Sectionals and will be moving on to Regionals.  The question is, why would Fox put such a popular show on the back burner for such a long time?  With American Idol returning, I realize that many hours of prime time will be gone, but couldn't they find an hour somewhere?  The good news is, there are nine more episodes slated for this year, so presumably it will run well into June.  I guess that means this break will be longer than next summer's, and that certainly brings me Glee.