Jack Attack Tuesday – Show Me a Hero, My Thoughts
Jack Attack Tuesday
Show Me a Hero, My Thoughts
I like to think I have a pretty good eye for quality. As someone who enjoys shows like The Wire and Six Feet Under, films like Mad Max and Ex Machina, and video games like The Witcher and Metal Gear Solid V, I have a pretty high standard for my entertainment, as I’m sure most of us do. We like to be entertained but we also like to feel like what we’re participating in is worth something. Our measure and value of that worth is what makes something, well, worth doing. If we didn’t have a value for watching The Empire Strikes Back for the hundredth time, then why would we do it? For all of us, our tastes are governed by a certain checklist we have in our head. For example, if Quentin Tarantino directs it, I’m there opening night. I don’t care if it’s a reimagining of My Little Pony, I’m fucking in. If a new Grand Theft Auto is announced, I’m going to play it. Similarly, if David Simon writes it, chances are I will be watching it. I knew from the outset that no matter what it was about or who was involved, Show Me a Hero would be a miniseries I would need to see. Simon is more than proven in my mind off of The Wire alone, so it’s interesting seeing his sensibilities tackle the story of Yonkers, New York with such a steady hand.
For those of you who don’t know what this is, Show Me a Hero is the story of Yonkers, New York Mayor Nick Wasicsko during a time when low-income housing was essentially segregated into sections of Yonkers. To combat the problem, the federal government stepped into force the low-income housing to be integrated with the high-income neighborhoods, something that the citizens of those neighborhoods could not live with. The story is an emotional and racially charged piece of American history, so who better than Simon to draw out the best pieces of it for his miniseries. Oscar Isaac, starring as Mayor Wasicsko, is going even further to prove he may be the best actor working today. While he was a lot of fun in Ex Machina, and of course he’ll be solid in this year’s Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, it’s here where he may end up hanging his hat as this is some of the best and most subtle acting I’ve seen since Pacino in The Godfather Part II.
While the story may sound dry from the outset, it’s anything but. Granted, there is some political talky-talkyness, but it stays grounded in the story of Mayor Wasicsko, a fan of Bruce Springsteen and by all accounts an incredibly down-to-earth, likable character. His main conflict comes in the form of having to deal with fellow city council members who oppose him publicly despite his hands being tied in the matter. Alfred Molina does a great job as the heel here, acting like the largest dick you’re ever likely to see, outside of, of course, real politicians. To explain the story beats would be a disservice as, at six hours, there isn’t an exorbitant amount of ground to cover here. What I came away with was the feeling I got when it was all over.
I don’t claim to be someone who is embroiled in current events. I’m not much into politics and I keep to myself for the most part, but there was something about Isaac’s portrayal of Wasicsko here that was truly inspiring to watch. Despite the negativity and violence around him, Wasicsko never took it home with him, to his girlfriend and eventual wife Nay Wasicsko. There was a really wholesome, sweet center to the story that made the journey for this character all the more difficult to watch. It’s one thing to see someone do the right thing at all odds, but to see someone with such sincerity be emotionally battered on a consistent basis is horrifying to watch. Simon and Isaac get this across flawlessly, harkening back to the Bubbles days from The Wire.
I know how this story may look to those who haven’t experienced any of David Simon’s previous work but I implore all of you to check this series out. It’s relatively short compared to his other work but it is of the same level of quality as what has come before it. It’s rare that we get anything at all from this writer, so when something comes down the pike I’ve learned to absorb and enjoy it for as long as possible. I’m going with very high honors here and giving Show Me a Hero a solid 9 soft tacos on 10.