Wow. Just . . . wow.
Criminal Justice, the five part BBC mini-series concluded tonight — after a week of consecutive episodes. The show was without doubt one of the greatest pieces of television drama I’ve ever watched. I would even go so far to say it’s a mini masterpiece.
For those unaware, Ben Whishaw, (future Oscar winner – mark my words) stars as Ben Coulter, a carefree, likeable lad whom after a bad night on the tiles sees his life change forever. After a one night stand with a sexy, charming girl he meets by chance, Ben awakens in the kitchen to discover she’s been murdered in her bed. With no memory of what happened, but covered in her blood, Ben runs terrified from the scene. Discovered by the police not long later, all the evidence points to Ben being her murderer. But some have their doubts, while others couldn’t care less. Did he kill her? Does it matter?
What unfolded over the course of the five episodes was a rivetting, realistic and completely horrifying journey through the British criminal justice system, with some of the most sophisticated writing I’ve ever seen (by Peter Moffat) and with phenomenal performances from the entire cast, not least the gorgeous and captivating Vineeta Rishi. What’s all the more astonishing is that after hundreds of thousands of hours over the years dedicated solely to television crime drama, “Criminal Justice” felt so fresh and so clever.
It was also deeply moving and I’m not ashamed to admit that in last night’s final episode, as all the complex characters’ storylines were coming to a crescendo, seeing Pete Postlethwaite’s old prisoner Hooch alone in his empty cell had me choking on tears. I won’t say anymore than that, for fear of spoiling such a great show full of twists and turns.
If you can track it down you should. It’s available on BBC iPlayer free of charge. I would insist you watch it.
This will sweep the BAFTAs and if shown in the US, it’ll sweep the Emmy’s and Golden Globes too.
Check out the show’s main site HERE.
