Philip Roth's fiction has been described by critics as pervaded by "a kind of alienation that is enlivened and exacerbated by what binds it".
In this fictional account of what may have occurred in America in 1940 if Charles Lindbergh had been elected President instead of Franklin D Roosevelt while I found the concept and consequences interesting I agree with the above quote describing Philip Roth's concept as "a kind of alienation" because everyone in this story except the Jewish characters seemed evil and I don't think I saw one African American character in the series so for me it was a little alienating and unreal.
It's told through the eyes of a working-class Jewish family in New Jersey as they endure the political rise of Charles Lindbergh, an aviator-hero and xenophobic populist, who captures the presidency and turns the nation toward fascism.
Roth's account of a celebrity-turned-politician winning the presidency on a platform of fearmongering and untruths proved more prophetic than he could have predicted.
I did a fact check and while partly based on accuracy there's more fiction than fact in this 6 part limited HBO series.
Charles Lindbergh , for example, really did accuse Jews of being "war agitators." He also cautioned against "the infiltration of inferior blood" and "dilution by foreign races." He did not, however, declare, as Roth does in the book, that with the German invasion of the U. S. S. R., "Adolf Hitler has established himself as the world's greatest safeguard against the spread of communism and its evils." I prefer my fiction not to include characters that lived or to reinterpret actual events because it risks the character or historical event in question of becoming distorted or just inaccurate.
Imagine other scenarios like Hillary Clinton winning the Presidency in 2016 or The Duke of Windsor not marrying Wallis Simpson ,they are both hypotheticals and didn't occur so while interesting it's impossible to change actual history.
That's enough about my views on the concept of the story of "The Plot Against America." the performances and the Production values are excellent and I enjoyed the portrayal of the characters enormously.
The two sisters Evelyn Finkel wonderfully played by Winona Ryder and Elizabeth "Bess" equally well played by Zoe Kazan are great roles as both their lives follow totally different paths resulting in conflict and alienation from each other and their families.
Three other standout performances I enjoyed made this series enjoyable for me they were from Anthony Boyle as Alvin Levin whose terrible war injury incurred while fighting in Europe against Germany causes him bitterness and anger when the new regime rejects his sacrifice branding him an outcast.
His loyal cousin Herman Levin repatriates Alvin with difficult outcomes for his home and family. Morgan Spector gives an impressive performance as the head of the Levin family as he tries to navigate dangerous changes like the involuntary relocation of his family and neighbours to redneck hostile American States as punishment for his outspoken advocacy for Jewish equality and acceptance.
The standout role in this series is its most unsystematic character the deluded and egotistical Rabbi Lionel Bengelsdorf played by the talented John Turturro he believes the "fake news" the Lindbergh administration feeds him . He loves the veneer of false prestige and respect that he and his wife are shown ,especially by The First Lady Anne Lindbergh this soon runs out when his usefulness is questioned.
In summing up this is an interesting and entertaining story worth watching more for me by the fine performances of this great ensemble cast than its content.
It's very well directed by Thomas Schlamme and Minnie Spiro who directed 3 episodes each.
In this fictional account of what may have occurred in America in 1940 if Charles Lindbergh had been elected President instead of Franklin D Roosevelt while I found the concept and consequences interesting I agree with the above quote describing Philip Roth's concept as "a kind of alienation" because everyone in this story except the Jewish characters seemed evil and I don't think I saw one African American character in the series so for me it was a little alienating and unreal.
It's told through the eyes of a working-class Jewish family in New Jersey as they endure the political rise of Charles Lindbergh, an aviator-hero and xenophobic populist, who captures the presidency and turns the nation toward fascism.
Roth's account of a celebrity-turned-politician winning the presidency on a platform of fearmongering and untruths proved more prophetic than he could have predicted.
I did a fact check and while partly based on accuracy there's more fiction than fact in this 6 part limited HBO series.
Charles Lindbergh , for example, really did accuse Jews of being "war agitators." He also cautioned against "the infiltration of inferior blood" and "dilution by foreign races." He did not, however, declare, as Roth does in the book, that with the German invasion of the U. S. S. R., "Adolf Hitler has established himself as the world's greatest safeguard against the spread of communism and its evils." I prefer my fiction not to include characters that lived or to reinterpret actual events because it risks the character or historical event in question of becoming distorted or just inaccurate.
Imagine other scenarios like Hillary Clinton winning the Presidency in 2016 or The Duke of Windsor not marrying Wallis Simpson ,they are both hypotheticals and didn't occur so while interesting it's impossible to change actual history.
That's enough about my views on the concept of the story of "The Plot Against America." the performances and the Production values are excellent and I enjoyed the portrayal of the characters enormously.
The two sisters Evelyn Finkel wonderfully played by Winona Ryder and Elizabeth "Bess" equally well played by Zoe Kazan are great roles as both their lives follow totally different paths resulting in conflict and alienation from each other and their families.
Three other standout performances I enjoyed made this series enjoyable for me they were from Anthony Boyle as Alvin Levin whose terrible war injury incurred while fighting in Europe against Germany causes him bitterness and anger when the new regime rejects his sacrifice branding him an outcast.
His loyal cousin Herman Levin repatriates Alvin with difficult outcomes for his home and family. Morgan Spector gives an impressive performance as the head of the Levin family as he tries to navigate dangerous changes like the involuntary relocation of his family and neighbours to redneck hostile American States as punishment for his outspoken advocacy for Jewish equality and acceptance.
The standout role in this series is its most unsystematic character the deluded and egotistical Rabbi Lionel Bengelsdorf played by the talented John Turturro he believes the "fake news" the Lindbergh administration feeds him . He loves the veneer of false prestige and respect that he and his wife are shown ,especially by The First Lady Anne Lindbergh this soon runs out when his usefulness is questioned.
In summing up this is an interesting and entertaining story worth watching more for me by the fine performances of this great ensemble cast than its content.
It's very well directed by Thomas Schlamme and Minnie Spiro who directed 3 episodes each.