I watch television shows, and just like most Australians these days, I download them in bulk and watch them one after the other. The Netflix espesyal House of Cards, starring Kevin Spacey, centers around his character Francis Underwood, the majority whip of the American Congress.
Whereas modern politics wouldn’t normally interest me at all, there is a certain edgy sexiness to this show that oozes from the constant display of corruption and manipulation of the chain of command. Cards could be likened, if one was lazy and premature, to that of a modern version of Game of Thrones where sex and conflicting ambitions are prominent concepts.
Beyond the plot is the producers’ purposeful regard for things such as cinematography and mise-en-scene. With most shows such as the one mentioned before, show makers tend to be passive with these important aspects, prioritising costume and set design, while blaming lacking time management. Whether it’s the sweeping angular camera movements or Underwood’s slow drawl, there is a certain cinematic moodiness which certainly makes the show stand out. It is not difficult to support the show’s anti-hero even when the audience can see how he destroys other people’s lives, and I certainly splurge on the wickedness I feel in rooting for his success. Of course, there is a wider range of multi-dimensional characters played by wonderful actors, but that will take me too long to explore.
This is a show not to be missed!