It only takes ten seconds to crush a man's ambitions
I admire the original BBC House of Cards. That is why,
when I heard about the Netflix remake, my attitude was rather skeptical.
Nevertheless, after looking at a cast and watching the trailer, I have decided
to give a chance to the American Version.
The President-elect Garrett Walker is in a middle of
transition. Frank Underwood – a Congressman from South Carolina's 5th
congressional district and House Majority Whip – was passed over for the
Secretary of State, despite an early promise. Devastated Frank swears revenge
and, at first, he sabotages the confirmation of Walker’s choice for the Secretary
of State – Senator Michael Kern. In order to do his dirty work, Underwood
enslaves the troubled Congressman Peter Russo. In addition, with his wife’s
silent consent, he starts an affair with Zoe Barnes - ambitious young political
correspondent – in order to get a good ally, who would print his «leaks». The
killing of the nomination is just a first step; Underwood starts to grab
control over all relevant political and legislative agenda in order to get
closer and closer to the President…
The US Congress usually «enjoys» low levels of
popularity. Every day in the news, people hear about the divided House, which cannot
pass anything, about another 15-hour filibuster from another egocentric Senator
and so on and so on.
Strictly speaking, House of Cards is a not a remake of
the original BBC series. It is better to call it the translation of Michael
Dobb’s original novel to the US political language. It was so because the UK
and the US has a different political system – the US got a presidential
republic and the UK is a constitutional monarchy – and a «clean remake» would
be a disastrous one.
The longevity gives House of Cards the advantage of detail.
Every character is well-written and well-realized. For the first two series,
the spectator is carefully introduced to every character in a shady water of
D.C. (congressmen, senators, their spouses, mistresses, lobbyists, police
officers, bodyguards and etc.). Plots of some characters takes unusual twists.
As Gillian Cole – at first an idealistic and talented girl – hired by Claire
Underwood to promote her non-profit, starts her own game with a possible lethal
end to political games of The Underwoods.
Frank Underwood is not a copycat of Francis Urquhart.
They differ in everything: the background, the political stance, the
personality. Even the using of the fourth wall is quite different – if Francis
Urquhart used it in order to poke opponents and audience, Frank Underwood uses
it in order to explain his machine-like plans, which strongly differs from his
idealistic political speeches.
The main paradox of Frank Underwood is that, despite
his ruthlessness, cold cynicism, immorality, the one could feel a certain
admiration for him. I think some spectators might even that real Frank
Underwood as the POTUS would not be a bad choice for the US, because of his
ability to get things done. The best quote about Frank Underwood comes from
Oscar Wilde: «Sin is the only real colour-element left in modern life».
The only weak spot of this series is a little cooling
off and repetition of plots in the middle of a season, but it fixes itself,
when the game of Underwood reaches conclusion.
House of Cards deserves a place near such masterpieces
of political cinema as «All the President's Men». If you have not seen it, fill
the gap in your education and immediately watch it.
10/10
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