Classics: A Review of Sons of Liberty By Lauren Ennis

This July 4^th will mark two-hundred and forty two years since the Declaration of Independence was signed and a new republic was born. In recognition and celebration of the innovations and sacrifices of our founders, this week I’ll be turning the spotlight on a miniseries that puts the rebel in rebellion; 2015’s Sons of Liberty. Easily one of the grittiest portrayals of colonial America, the series chronicles the events leading up to the American Revolution with all of the suspense, romance, and raw emotion that your history class left out.

The original Boston Strong

The story begins with Boston in a state of upheaval as the streets descend into poverty, gang violence, and a crime epidemic under the by turns indifferent and brutal rule of colonial England. Amidst this tumult, local tax collector Sam Adams (Ben Barnes) attempts to help those in need by using his own limited funds to pay the tax debts of friends and local business owners. Despite his good intentions, Adams’ attempts at philanthropy leave him unable to pay his own taxes, leading the British authorities to issue a warrant for his arrest. When his failed arrest prompts a riot that destroys the governor’s mansion, he quickly finds himself the unlikely center of a local movement. Meanwhile, local businessman John Hancock (Rafe Spall), Sam’s cousin, lawyer John Adams (Henry Thomas), and Doctor Joseph Warren (Ryan Eggold) each find themselves at a crossroads as events unfold that force each of them to question the status quo and choose which side of history they want to be on.

When the series debuted, the History Channel promoted it with the tagline; “there’s the revolution you know. And the one that’s about to begin”. Through its unique approach the series more than lived up to its promotion by providing an insider’s look at the conflicted and complicated men behind the American Revolution. In this way, the series helps breathe new life into the events of 1776 in a way that highlights just what was so revolutionary about the ideals that the colonists were fighting for. Critics and historians rightly cited the series’ tendency to place entertainment value above historical accuracy. The series’ makers defended their work by insisting that their primary goal was to capture the spirit of the era rather than document it; a goal that they certainly achieved. Although the series more aptly serves as an engaging overview than a history lesson, it aptly portrays brings colonial America to gritty life for a new generation. For a viewing thrill ride that will teach you a few things along the way, ship up to Boston with the Sons of Liberty.

Don't tread on me!

  The cast bring colonial America to vibrant life through their stellar performances. Ben Barnes’ roguishly charming performance transforms Sam Adams into a colonial Robin Hood as he rises up against the British ruling class for his fellow colonists. Rafe Squall is an ideal underdog as reluctant rebel John Hancock, and portrays Hancock’s surprising journey with a nuance that ensures his performance is as believable as it is entertaining. Henry Thomas is a perfect foil to Barnes’ reckless Sam in his turn as Sam’s upright but conflicted cousin, John. Ryan Eggold is a story-book worthy hero in his portrayal of noble Doctor Warren. Martin Csokas is an ideal villain in his portrayal of chillingly brutal British general Thomas Gage. Emily Berrington infuses her role as Gage’s battered wife turned Warren’s illicit love interest, Margaret, with an intelligence and spunk that will endear her to audiences as much as they do to the good doctor.

Sons of Liberty aptly brings the American Revolution to life with a modern flair. Through its gritty portrayal of the events leading up to the revolution the series provides viewers with essential insight into the founding fathers’ motives, sacrifices, and truly revolutionary ideas. The series’ combination of an intelligent script and engaging performances will leave even those who hated history class wanting more. For a mini-series that puts the drama in historical drama settle down for a Boston-style tea party with the Sons of Liberty.

Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave...

Classics: A Review of An American Rhapsody By Lauren Ennis

One generation’s sacrifices and hopes all too often prove to be the restraints and burdens of another. This is particularly true in immigrant families, as the traditions and struggles of one generation collide with the aspirations of another. The universal clash between parents and children is explored with particular poignancy in the 2001 drama An American Rhapsody. Although inspired by the real-life experiences of director Eva Gardos and her parents, who fled the oppression of life behind the Iron Curtain, An American Rhapsody is a universal tale of identity and family that will resonate with children and parents alike.

Get the hankies ready

The story begins in 1950’s Budapest as Margit (Natassja Kinski) and Peter Sandor (Tony Goldwyn) plan to escape from Soviet-occupied Hungary with their two young daughters. When their plan goes heart-wrenchingly awry, Margit’s mother is imprisoned for her role in aiding the family’s escape and the couple’s youngest daughter, Suzanne, is left behind to be raised by a couple in the Hungarian countryside. Although Margit and Peter maintain contact with Suzanne’s foster family, she spends her first six years largely unaware of her biological family’s existence. After years of struggling, Margit and Peter are finally reunited with their daughter in the United States, but the reunion proves far more complicated than anyone anticipated as Suzanne continues to long for the only life and family that she has ever known. Cultures and generations clash as Suzanne grows into a rebellious teenager and continues to reject her biological family, who she can neither understand nor forgive. When tensions between mother and daughter finally bring the family to their breaking point, Suzanne makes a life-altering journey back to Hungary where she uncovers vital truths about both of her families and herself.

An American Rhapsody follows in the tradition of such family dramas as The Joy Luck Club and The Namesake in its tale of one family’s struggle to bridge the gap between drastically different cultures and generations. The film aptly portrays the oppression that the Sandors face in Communist Hungary, where they lose their successful publishing company to the control of the state and loved ones to the horrors of the gulags. The film avoids the trap of idealizing the family’s new life in the U.S., however, by depicting their struggles to fit into their new home amidst the conformity and anti-communist sentiments of 1950’s America with equal skill.  The script cleverly juxtaposes the gritty reality of Peter and Margit’s Budapest with the idealized childhood fantasy of Hungary that Suzanne nostalgically longs for. Simultaneously, the film also conveys the family’s very different perceptions of their new home, which Peter and Margit view as the land of opportunity and Suzanne sees as a gilded prison. Through its dual perspectives the film aptly conveys the complex reality of the family’s unusual situation, in which there are no easy answers amidst years of misunderstandings and missed opportunities. It is through this subtle portrayal of cultural and generational conflict that An American Rhapsody relates a tale which is sure to resonate with children and parents across America and beyond.

Back in the USSR...

Through its uniformly excellent performances, the film weaves a tapestry of love and heartache that spans across cultures and generations. Natassja Kinski turns in an achingly real performance as she captures Margit’s longing for the daughter who remains just beyond her reach. Tony Goldwyn aptly portrays Peter’s internal conflict as he struggles to build and maintain a better life for his family amidst personal and political tumult. Zsuzsa Czinkoczi and Balazs Galko are the personification of a loving family in their by turns endearing and anguished performances as the couple who love Suzanne as their own, only to ultimately lose her to her biological family. Scarlett Johannsen perfectly captures Suzanne’s angst and alienation as she grows from a confused and lonely child into a willful and headstrong teen. The supporting cast provide equally strong performances that are engaging from the film’s opening credits to its final fade.

At once a deeply personal story of one family and a universal tale of family life, An American Rhapsody is essential viewing for the entire family. Through its intelligent script and emotionally engaging performances the film captures the conflicts that threaten to break families apart and the love that binds them together. For a viewing experience that will take you inside the complex and contradictory rhapsody that is a family tune in to An American Rhapsody.

Not so different after all