Here we get Chris Evans out of his Captain America suit and acting in a straight up drama. With a lot of intrigue. Something different from what we have gotten from the popular actor of late and a reminder that he can do something other than play a Marvel hero. Here he is the father of a family undergoing a crisis. A crisis which stretches them to their limits.
The limited series which is available on Apple TV+ is now out on DVD from Paramount. It is based on the best-selling novel by author William Landay. A thriller which will become more and more addictive with each episode. Plays with the idea of no matter how close you are to your family, when push comes to shove you will often find out things about them you never knew. How in times of stress even the closest of families can come undone.
The layers of the story unfold little by little drawing you further and further in as the minutes pass. I even like the ambiguous ending feeling like it added to the intrigue instead of just being gimmicky. Acting here is good with J.K. Simmons and Cherry Jones adding plenty of veteran savvy in their supporting roles.
Story is set in a small town in Massachusetts where Andy Barber (played by Chris Evans) works as a lawyer in the District Attorney’s office. His wife Laurie (played by Michelle Dockery) works in a school and his teenage son Jacob (played by Jaeden Martell) is in high school. Life is going along really well for this upper middle class family. That is until it isn’t.
A murder happens. The murder of a high school student. A student who Jacob knows. As the investigation goes on, led by Andy’s office, different suspects are brought up then cleared. A huge shock to Andy comes when his 14-year-old son is charged with the death of his schoolmate. Jacob proclaims his innocence. Andy and Laurie are now in for the fight of their lives as facts keep surfacing which make Jacob seem more and more guilty.
Andy engages the well known defence attourney Joanna Klein (played by Cherry Jones) to keep his son out of prison. Even more pressure is put on the family when someone from Andy’s past (played by J.K. Simmons) resurfaces making things even more difficult for the Barbers, who are already stretched to their max.
Special Features:
-Deleted Scenes
- Deconstructing Defending Jacob
- Crafting Character Defending Jacob
