A Matter of TRUST.

Article first published as TV Review: TRUST on Seat42F.

FX’s newest anthology series is TRUST. No, it’s not another Ryan Murphy production, though you should be forgiven for thinking so, given the network and similarities. TRUST., created by Simon Beaufoy and directed by Danny Boyle, concerns the Getty family, an infamous clan of oil tycoons, the head of which was once considered one of (if not the) richest man in the world. The first season’s ten-episode run specifically covers the kidnapping of the patriarch’s grandson, J. Paul Getty III, in the mid-1970s. Subsequent seasons are expected to show other periods in the family’s history.

The first hour, which premiered last night, is essentially an introduction to the main guy, J. Paul Getty (Donald Sutherland, M*A*S*H, The Hunger Games), his relationship with his sons, and a brief encounter with one grandson. It does a solid job illustrating the unrest in the family, and how J. Paul Getty sees J.P.G. III (Harris Dickinson, Clique) as the last chance to pass his dynasty on to his heirs. When III disappoints his grandfather in a major way, as the senior’s children have before, the old man is furious. He casts III out, without care for the debt the younger man owes some very bad people. This is the set up for the kidnapping.

The Gettys are a real family, but much license is being taken with their story. Trying to trace various family members and their relationships, it seems the timeline doesn’t quite add up to real life. One family member is even suing the production, say it’s extremely inaccurate. It’s hard to know what TRUST. gets right or wrong, but the credits do admit that some things have been changed and personalities combined, so while it’s entertaining, I wouldn’t necessarily take it as a history lesson.

There are quite a few good actors in TRUST., including Michael Esper (Nurse Jackie), Brendan Fraser (The Mummy) and Hillary Swank (Million Dollar Baby). But in the pilot, it’s a two-man show. Sutherland hasn’t lost a step with age, simmering as the sleazy mogul, showing both the reprehensible parts of the personality and his vulnerabilities. Sadly, there are few redeeming qualities, but as despicable as the man is in this show, Sutherland is still immensely watchable. Dickinson matches him in the less central, but vitally important, role, which is only slightly more likeable.

There seems to be quite an appetite for ‘true stories’ of scandals recently. TRUST. should nicely add to the offerings of that genre. It’s well produced, well directed, and the sets are amazing. It’s a big production for a very personal story, the trappings of wealth not making the characters less vulnerable to reality. If anything, it makes them more so. As separate as they are from everyone else, and as outlandish and hard to relate to as some of the things they do may be, there is definitely a core story that will resonate, true or not, with many viewers.

The disappointing thing about the rumored second season, which TRUST. seems sure to get with material this good that fits perfectly on the network, is that Sutherland won’t be as front-and-center, as supposedly we’ll see J. Paul Getty coming up, some forty years before the first run. One can only hope they tell the story in flashback, with framework sequences involving Sutherland. I don’t normally like this conceit all that much, as it’s overdone and usually unnecessary. But Sutherland is a big part of why I would recommend this show, so I would hate to lose him from the series. And whoever fills his shoes will have to be most impressive indeed.

TRUST. airs Sunday nights on FX.

Trust on Blu-ray

     Now out on Blu-ray from Millennium Entertainment is Trust, or trust_, as the cover says. It is the story of 14-year old Annie (Liana Liberato, The Last Sin Easter) who befriends her dream guy (Chris Henry Coffey, Downsized) online. They spend months chatting, and when Annie finally goes to meet the boy, she discovers he is actually about twenty years older than her. Going back to his hotel room with him, she gives him her virginity in a less than enthusiastic way. Her best friend relates the story to the authorities, and most of Trust is about the impact the events have on Annie and her family.

     Do not be fooled by the slow start. Yes, a significant portion of the beginning of the film is just Annie texting the guy, and seems trite. But if you stick with it, there are great performances later in the movie. Liberato does better than expected, capturing the nuance of mixed up teenage girl feelings, including love and anger. She makes it easy to relate to her desire for the sexual encounter to mean something, even as she realizes how wrong it is.

     Clive Owen (Duplicity, Closer) gets the meatiest role as Annie's father, who wants revenge on the man who took his daughter's innocence, and doesn't know how to be supportive of her. Many thoughts war within Clive, including a need to act out in a violent way, but his emotional moments are best. For fans growing weary of Owen's recent bad movies, this will help ease that pain. Catherine Keener (The 40 Year Old Virgin, Being John Malkovich) also gives a typically brilliant performance as Annie's mother, though she unfortunately gets less focus.

     Supporting the main players are Viola Davis (Doubt) as Annie's guidance counselor, who attempts to help Annie deal with her feelings, and Jason Clarke (The Chicago Code) as the federal agent assigned to the case. Both are very talented performers, and manage to convey that in limited parts.

     It may surprise you to learn that Trust is the directorial debut of Friends star David Schwimmer. He does a relatively capable job with this gripping story. As mentioned before, the beginning section of the movie, before the statutory rape, comes off as a cheesy movie about a melodramatic teen girl. But once events begin rolling along, Trust becomes a great film, with much credit to go to the director who sets the tone wonderfully.

     Picture and sound quality are fantastic. This release is in 16x9 2.35 anamorphic widescreen with 1080p high definition and Dolby True HD. Perhaps I've become immune to what sets a good Blu-ray release apart, as most television and movies are now viewed in HD, at least in my household. Trust looks and sounds fantastic - just like everything else in high definition. This movie has no big special effects, so it's hard to pinpoint some great examples. But must of the lighting and tone has a dark feel, especially after the rape, as is appropriate, and the blacks are rich. The picture is crystal clear, as is the sound. As far as technology goes, there should be nothing to complain about in this release.

     There are English SDH and Spanish subtitles included. The only special feature is a sixteen minute conversation with the people involved in the film, which does give some good insight into the process and the characters. I just wish there was more.

      Besides Blu-ray, which is the recommended format, Trust is also available on DVD and both standard and high definition download. Click here to buy Trust,

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