It’s not a movie …

3 comments March 19th, 2008

… but HBO’s JOHN ADAMS miniseries is an excellent bit of programming. If you’re paying for the premium channel and bemoaning the absence of THE SOPRANOS, THE WIRE, BIG LOVE, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM and other shows, be sure to check out this fascinating look back at the birth of a nation.

Paul Giamatti, best known as the star of SIDEWAYS, does a sterling job bringing Adams to vivid life as a cranky, grumbling cuss who manages to give America the kick start it needs. He gets strong support from Laura Linney (as his wife, Abigail), Tom Wilkinson (as Ben Franklin), David Morse (as George Washington) and Danny Huston (as Sam Adams — brewer, patriot).

So far, two parts have aired, and they’re available on HBO On Demand. The next episode, “Don’t Tread on Me,” airs Sunday, with new episodes following each week. There are seven parts total, and if they’re all as interesting (and entertaining) as the first two, this’ll be quite a feather in HBO’s (tri-cornered) cap.

One quibble: Despite all the historical authenticity (and there’s plenty — just wait ’till you see how they prevent smallpox), the founding fathers lack one thing: authentic Colonial-era teeth.