“The Deuce”: Another must watch from HBO

Is it flesh trade? Is it pornography? Is it below belly action? Or is it about survival? A mother striving hard to feed few mouths? A man torn between morality & immorality? You will be confused by the end of first two hard-hitting episodes. HBO has a reputation of producing powerful series which are a class apart in its own genre. “Game of Thrones”, “The Wire” and “Rome” are few of many. “The Deuce” is the newest addition to already glittering crown of HBO TV-Series.

James Franco (playing twin brothers) is convincing as hell. With effortless acting, smooth southern accent works like a charm. He grabs my attention whenever he is in the scene, I fully believe who he is as the character and thinks he does a really good job, plus it’s HBO, they know what they are doing so I trust with my heart.

Maggie Gyllenhaal, this woman has set the bar so high that few actresses will ever surpass her in versatility. Maggie Gyllenhaal (Candy) a prostitute that has no pimp because she is strong willed enough herself that she doesn’t need someone looking out for her and taking her profits. You are bound to feel for the character, the moral dilemma she faces, the pain she has to bear with a “happy” face.  She does a great job in her performance in really selling how the life of a lady like that was when they weren’t under the hand of drugs or an abusive person above them, they just were doing what they did to make ends meet.

We also get a great look at a couple of the pimps that are running the streets of Manhattan with the prostitutes they own as well as themselves being very wealthy for the time and with the confidence of Gods. A great shout out to Gary Carr (Cici) playing a smooth talking pimp that within minutes can make a small town girl change her life and work for him. Whenever he comes to screen, he owns it. A smooth talking pimp who can make women weak in their knees (both literally and metaphorically). The way he holds himself in this show is awesome, makes you respect him even though you know what he is doing is very cynical when fully thought about. The scene where he threatens a prostitute, you will hate him and love him at the same time. Even he is a victim in this system.

Now everything else, such as the setting and back drops, gets you completely in the mind-set of New York City in the 70’s. The music choice is superb. Special mention must be made to the elaborate costumes they presented here. From the “shiny” pimps to the “skinny” pimps everything is matched to perfection! It almost seems like a documentary.

The story starts slow laying very carefully the foundation of a much larger twisted plot. The show juggled with a lot of characters and subplots but it managed to use it quite efficiently. Kudos to the show-makers. At times, you might feel a bit boring (for the immense detailing) but trust me, you’ll love it the moment you finish off the pilot episode. The second episode is so gripping, you won’t even notice, when, it ended.

If you are a fan of HBO series, especially if you want to see a show with great performances, brilliant cinematography and a gritty plot, go for it. You won’t regret it, I promise!

• About the Author

About Saurodeep Basak

A caffeine dependent life form. Full-time procrastinator. A man-child. I have this new theory that human adolescence doesn’t end until your early thirties. A man of mystery and power whose power is exceeded only by his mystery. The only thing stopping me from shining in life is my sheer lack of motivation.