Starring: Kelsey Grammer, Connie Nielson, Hannah Ware, Jeff Hephner, Kathleen Robertson.
Synopsis: The series follows Tom Kane (Grammer), the mayor of Chicago, who has recently been diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disorder. Determined to remain in charge, Kane conceals the disease from everyone around him except his own physician, Dr Ella Harris. Those around Kane are too busy with their own lives to notice anything unusual.
Created by APOCALYPTO’S Farhad Safinia, Boss is the perfect example of what you’d describe as the quintessential slow-burner. Most of the time this can be classed as a positive and it isn’t that Boss doesn’t have all the right ingredients to delve into the life of Chicago Mayor Tom Kane (Kelsey Grammer) and expose the vicious, real-life side of electioneering but you’ll spend too much time wishing they’d just get on with it.
In Boss, Kelsey Grammer’s sturdy and seemingly trustworthy major Tom Kane has worked tirelessly for years to control his city and high position of power. But, as the opening episode tells us, he is also suffering from a degenerative brain disorder that’s secretly tearing his life apart but he’s not eager to share his gradual decline with anyone.
Kane’s relationship with those around him is strained in numerous different ways, he’s married to Meredith but he doesn’t live with her. However, she’s still very much a part of his day-to-day life and played brilliantly by the effortlessly versatile Connie Nielsen. Their dysfunctional connection is one of business over pleasure and even more so, it’s all about the work and stern expressions over true feelings or discussions. It can’t be said that their relationship isn’t honest though, as Boss is full of straight-talking individuals away from the media glare but there’s an undoubted lack of real connection between the couple for some, as yet, unknown reason.
They also have estranged daughter Emma Kane, who’s portrayed by the rather delectable and rising star Hannah Ware. You’ll know her briefly from SHAME and see her soon in the re-make of OLDBOY. Her character in Boss is a recovering drug addict, who is now literally trying to find her faith from the Church. She doesn’t have a relationship with either parent until her Dad, Tom Kane, feels the need to bridge the gap after he finds out his mind is destroying itself.
There’s a lot of interesting work being done in Boss, for example as Tom starts to lose his memory, he also secretly film his own actions to watch back and see what he’s saying and doing. His drifting in and out of memory loss and reality is equally scary and fascinating, because you even as the viewer, you’ll question whether things have taken place or if we’re seeing a moment of his dementia.
In our current televisual world where everything is Sorkin-snappy and all about the unknown or the tension, we’re given stories in Boss that are based very much in the reality of politics and major cities across the world. Sometimes, it’s done very impressively indeed but despite a brilliant cast and notable acting, you often long for a quicker resolution. Ironically, everyone appears to get it on a lot in terms of Sex but it happens so often, and often predictably, it turns towards tedious and there then comes a point (no pun intended) where so much random nudity doesn’t have the effect that’s probably intended.
That being said, Boss is still a brave departure from the norm and Kelsey Grammer is truly remarkable as the man losing his mind, his performances are second to none, and it should be highly praised in that respect. They’ve actually given Boss a second season in the States that’s already underway but I just hope they’ve cut down the episodes (5 instead of 8 would have been perfect) to sped up the obvious flowing narrative from time-to-time. Boss has all the right hallmarks for an interesting drama but the need for a stronger conviction in editing and scripting is surely the key to a wider appeal.
BOSS is out now on DVD to buy. You can pick up a copy by clicking this link.
You can also currently win a copy of Boss, over here on this link!
