This may be quite late but it is better late than never to write this. Usually you watch a series and get awed by convincing performances and then hope for an award for your favourite actors. It was the opposite for me. I saw Hugh Laurie winning the Golden Globe award for his role in ‘The Night Manager’ and I was intrigued. I liked Hugh Laurie for his portrayal of House and I am also a fan of his comedic performances.
The series is based on a novel of the same name by John le Carré adapted for present time. The story is all about a night manager Jonathan Pine, played by Tom Hiddleston who played Loki in the Avengers. The story has everything to keep you intrigued. It has a really masterful villain, a James Bond-esque spy, a bombshell of a lead actress and an engaging story. The screenplay and the casting were brilliant and I think that is what made the story click.
I never thought I’d see Hugh Laurie as anyone but House but this role did suit him perfectly. He could easily play the ruthless and conniving villain. I was impressed with Elizabeth Debicki having never seen her in a glam role before. It was Laurie who stole the show though. ‘They didn’t follow the cups’ was an amazing scene. What was great about this spy drama was that it was believable. The way ‘a nobody’ beats an undefeatable villain was actually believable.
Even an ordinary story can be told in an extra-ordinary way by brilliant actors and that is exactly what happened here. Richard Roper as a ruthless arms dealer who had a loyal entourage that included a hot young wife was brilliant. Roper’s cleverness was the icing on the top of the cake. He is slippery, cunning and an absolute badass. He has something planned for every situation until the end. He shows no mercy and forgives absolutely nobody. There is nothing that he won’t do.
Angela Burr as the upright official who bravely constructs the plan to defeat this monster is aptly played and the fact that she is a pregnant woman makes the character even stronger. The scene where she explains why she began pursuing Roper is brilliant. Corruption is everywhere and Dickie Roper’s network is simply impenetrable. Pine has three women in the series and two of the three are really strong characters. They are not mere eye-candy as there is a substantial role.
This would have made a good movie but for the performers involved, it needed a little more time for you to get acquainted with the characters. Six episodes is short and sweet and this is a series that was totally worth it. Watch ‘The Night Manager’ for a different and enjoyable TV show. Watch it for incredible performances and brilliant writing. You will not regret it.
Have a look at the trailer before you start watching the The Night Manager
