In these times of financial uncertainties everywhere around the world the financial world is one of interest for us common folk. Along with that intriguing subject matter you get two magnetic lead actors in Damian Lewis and Paul Giamatti. Watching these two go head to head is intriguing. All the elements are there to make this a winner.
Though it takes place in the centre of the financial world the reason to watch the series is to watch Lewis and Giamatti battle it out. Bobby Axelrod (played by Damian Lewis) comes from the wrong side of the tracks and has pulled himself up by the bootstraps to become the number one man in the hedge fund world. He is a billionaire and is aided in his pursuit of even more riches by his right hand man Wags (played by David Costabile) and his wife Lara (played by Malin Akerman), a woman who has always got Axe’s back. She has reason to watch her husband’s back as a lawman has placed a big target on it.
Chuck Rhodes (played by Paul Giamatti) is the U.S. Attourney General for the area of New York City that encompasses the financial district. From a wealthy and influential family success has been expected of him and even greater achievements eyed. To this end, Chuck has set his sights on the big financial fish that is Bobby Axelrod. This is made even more difficult by the fact that Chuck’s wife Wendy (played by Maggie Siff) works for Axe Capital.
This is a cat and mouse type show in which neither the cat nor mouse has the advantage. He who will come out on top is not obvious as both men are intelligent, backed by plenty and intent on bringing the other down.
The clash of the high powered legal world with that of the equally powerful financial world is a riveting watch. Characters are all well developed and the storylines all flow freely. Neither of the two central characters has been painted as the good guy or the bad guy. A great twist is the wife in the middle of the two worlds. Maggie Siff plays what is probably the most interesting character of the lot and does a great job. Loads of grey involved. Interesting to watch these two high profile worlds that are very different from one another face off. Smart, layered and entertaining.
Special Features:
-Character Profiles
-Street Slang
-Character Development
-Location: New York
-Shadows and Light
