Actor to watch: Richard Madden
Created by Frank Spotnitz and Nicholas Meyer, Medici has finished two seasons, with a potential third one in the making. At present, the next generation of the Medici family is in focus. However, this story, described in the following terms: “In 15th-century Renaissance Florence, the visionary Medici dynasty flexes its power in politics and the arts, risking its rivals’ lethal opposition,” rides on the quiet and unassuming performance of Richard Madden in the riveting first season.
With the likes of Dustin Hoffman, cast as his father, who is murdered as we learn in the first episode, it falls on Madden (Cosimo Medici) to take on the family mantle, and become more like his father a little every day. And yet, as he does, his soul suffers and it is a quiet pain. But the solitary moments, where he asks for forgiveness – the quiet pain takes on a physical shape and it is moving and beautiful. The soundtrack of season one of Medici is also as much a star as Madden. After playing Rob Stark in Game of Thrones and a bodyguard in the contemporary-set Bodyguard, this is another magnetic performance from Richard Madden. Now a member of the Marvel franchise, it is a well-deserved spot that will introduce him to the world if these shows haven’t already.
Film: The King
Produced by Netflix, Plan B Entertainment (Brad Pitt)Actor(s) to watch: Timothee Chalamet; Robert Pattinson
The Oscar voters know it; Meryl Streep knows it and so does anyone who saw Call Me By Your Name, which earned the then-22 year old Timothee Chalamet an Academy Award nomination or several of his coming of age films such as Lady Bird and Beautiful Boy.
Timothee Chalamet stars in this original Netflix historical film, based on William Shakespeare’s plays, essaying King Henry V as the relaxed, wayward Prince Hal who abhors his father, the King of England, Henry IV. But upon his death as the pacifist Hal becomes King Henry V, despite his pacifist ways, he must pick up the sword, and fight to conquer France until he is married into a union not of his choice but made of circumstances. Chalamet, under exceptional direction from David Michod, is exceptional as he questions the reason behind wars and takes the necessary course of action even as he struggles with it, constantly. Surrounded by no one whom he can trust, The King shows Timothee in a different light; away from the roles he has played in the past.
A special mention must be made of Robert Pattinson, who features as The Dauphin, King Charles VI of France, who brings the war to Hal and would rather battle than take on The King of England one-on-one. A weasel-like demeanour, the disdain you develop for him is Pattinson’s biggest success. His performances after Twilight franchise in films like David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis, and Robert Eggers’ The Lighthouse are proof Pattinson can act beyond looking like an idiotic vampire. This film is another achievement for him.
Shown in his youth, the role is owned by Pattinson, who surprises you not just with his acting as the treacherous son but also with his French. It is impeccable. This is a two-for-one-special. Joel Edgerton, in supporting role, as Falstaff, also delivers a very special performance as the man who can win a war but knows of its folly. Don’t miss it.
