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Many of us, having suffered through the interminable case throughout our lives were a tad skeptical when it was announced that “The People v. O.J Simpson: American Crime Story” was well on its way to our screens.
The O.J Simpson case is a milestone in American History and truth be told, the show was better produced and more entertaining than it has any right to be.
Mingled in racial politics, due process and celebrity culture as the plot progresses, “The People v. O.J Simpson” reminds us more why the truth was so irrelevant. The white Ford Bronco, “Time” magazine cover of a significantly darkened O.J Simpson, Attorney Johnnie Cochran’s famous “if it doesn’t fit, you must acquit” argument.
It’s all there. Of course, the show is not a documentary for it includes it’s fair share of composite characters and invented dialogues.
The series is unequivocal about O.J’s implication in the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and her rumored lover, Ron Goldman, but somehow manages to inculcate the doubts which some of us still have regarding such guilt.
The most intricate aspect of “The People v. O.J Simpson” relies independently on the actors playing the characters whose performance is absolutely tremendous. It is impossible to not viscerally feel the profound connection each of them has with their characters.
On the one side, there’s Sarah Paulson’ performance as the prosecutor Marcia Clark, one, is so compelling that Clark herself recently called it a gift.
Also, there’s John Travolta as lead defense attorney Robert Shapiro whose crisp, stiff gestures and tight smiles parallel David Schimmer’s soft, loyal and supportive portrayal of Robert Kardashian as O.J’s (Juice as he so affectionately calls him) best-friend, moral support and attorney .
Most notably is Courtney B. Vance who his arresting as Johnnie Cochran, fitting the lawyer’s disdain for the LAPD and dedication to winning like a glove.
It is an uncontestable that “The People v. O.J Simpson” is brilliant. The plot is fascinating, the casting is terrific and the action is riveting.
As should be expected from a Ryan Murphy production, the show is a remarkable piece of emotionally nuanced and filled with dark humor. This approach provides a shift in perspective by oiling the wheel of empathy in O.J’s favor and simultaneously making the televised trials an incredible hook.
Perle Desir can be reached at perle.desir@student.shu.edu.
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