by Mike Hilty, Contributing Writer
I’m surrounded by people who love crime procedural shows. My wife is the one who got me hooked on Criminal Minds. My sister is the one who got me hooked on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (the O.G. Las Vegas version). Every year, my mom and step dad ask for the newest season of NCIS on physical media, even though I told them they can stream all the episodes on Paramount +. Between crime procedurals, docuseries, and documentaries, crime shows will always have a hold on. True crime dramatizations and miniseries are still trending, and one of the newer ones just wrapped up.
Black Bird, created and developed by Dennis Lehane and based on the novel In with the Devil: a Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous Bargain for Redemption by James Keene and Hillel Levin, follows Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton) as he is sentenced to prison for drug and gun charges. In order to secure his freedom and commute his sentence, Jimmy agrees to an undercover operation to get information from suspected serial killer Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser). If he can secure information to help keep Larry in prison ahead of his parole hearing, Jimmy will get his chance at freedom. Black Bird is six episodes long and is currently streaming on Apple TV+.
I have not done my due diligence to see how the show follows the real life story. It’s my goal to just look at the miniseries, so there won’t be any comparing and contrasting between the series and the real life events. I’ll also avoid spoilers, even thoughthe events of Black Bird occurred a while ago.
Black Bird works so well because it’s in the hands of Lehane. He certainly knows how to make a tense and compelling show. With such works under his belt like Mystic River, Shutter Island,and Gone Baby Gone, Lehane knows how to craft a well-rounded and amazing story. This would generally have been a fine miniseries without Lehane, but he puts it over the top with his storytelling.
This series rests on the shoulders of the two leads. If either one of them doesn’t work, then the show falls apart. Hauser is the standout, though. Larry Hall is a disturbing character, and Hauser somehow makes you sympathize with him, even if it’s temporary. There’s enough doubt cast at first that we as the viewer don’t even know if he’s guilty or innocent. Once we figure out who he truly is, Hauser plays his role so incredibly well. I certainly hope this won’t be forgotten when it comes time for awards consideration for the Golden Globes or next year’s Emmys. Hauser continues to show how great of a performer he is, and his range is impeccable. Alongside Larry is his brother Gary (Jake McLaughlin). At first, we have no idea how Gary’s role will play out, but by the end of the series, we feel the gravity of his decisions and how his role in Larry’s development weighs so heavily on him.
Egerton is also great as our main character. His evolution through the series is staggering. He starts as an arrogant, nothing-to-lose kid who mistreats those around him. Once he actually sees humanity at its worst, he begins to break down and struggles with the information he learns. The weight he carries is too great, and Egerton shows this extremely well. I really empathize with Jimmy as a character, even though he himself is a prisoner as well. This empathy, though, is all thanks to Egerton’s wonderful performance. Piggybacking off Egerton’s performance is Ray Liotta playing his father, Big James Keene. Liotta is wonderful as a concerned father who will do almost anything to help his son. It’s sad to know that Liotta didn’t get to see this since he passed away before the premiere. Liotta and Egerton play well together, and they really feel like a father and son duo.
The scenes involving Hauser and Egerton together are so incredibly chilling. These are two of the most talented performers we have today, and watching them work together is amazing. Jimmy uses his charisma to get to know Larry, but he eventually strikes a friendship with him. Once these two become friends, Larry shows his true colors, which takes a terrible toll on Jimmy regarding what he needs to do. There are a lot of ups and downs with their relationship, but their performances are just as great together as they are separate.
The cinematography is really great. It makes you feel claustrophobic while in prison, uncomfortable while you’re around certain people, and emotional at all the right moments. Pairing the visual shots and score make for great television. Props to the technical department for all their hard work to create a great atmosphere. This really shines during a scene of a prison riot, in particular.
Black Bird is another winner for Apple TV+. I really enjoyed the performances and atmosphere that was created by Lehane. I do hope this doesn’t get lost to time come next award season since it came out so early. Apple TV+ continues to prove they’re in the business of making great stories, and giving creators and performers room to breathe. If you’re looking for another true crime series to watch, add this to the queue and put it towards the top of your list.
Score: 8/10
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