REVIEW #447 Better Call Saul (6 Seasons)

Better Call Saul

Synopsis

Ex con-artist Jimmy McGill, turns into a small time attorney and goes through multiple trials and tragedies that lead him to his morally questionable alter ego, Saul Goodman.

My Review

Better Call Saul masterfully blends genres to create a complex legal-esque drama that takes audiences on a wildly emotional journey of ups and downs, guised by the charming humour of Bob Odenkirk’s portrayal of its titular character. The show slowly transcends into the captivating crime drama that we all associate with its predecessor Breaking Bad, but its biggest strength derives from establishing its own unique path early on. I’ve rarely had such a journey with a single character, my opinion on Jimmy changing drastically from season to season and that speaks volumes of the incredible writing on display throughout the show. This was the case for so many of the re-occurring characters, each with their own intriguing narratives and amazing performances from the actors portraying them. The morally ambiguous plot points leave you in a constant tug of war, riding that line between thrilling entertainment and overwhelming empathy for the victims like Howard Hamlin and Irene!

Now, I know I’m late to the party with Better Call Saul and the reason for this was the hype around Breaking Bad, which made the eventual watch through pretty anticlimactic and I was concerned I’d have the same experience here. But I’ve come away having enjoyed this highly regarded spin off a lot more! The quality is far more consistent from the first season, to the last and it doesn’t require an overly large build up before the fun begins. I was pleasantly surprised by the wonderful cinematography, beautifully crafted shots and a lot of innovative transitions, especially early on in the show. Unfortunately, I do believe they dragged out the ending here, with the final four episodes feeling like a bit of a drag. The finale did redeem it slightly, with Saul’s final show acting as his own redemption arc, an admission of guilt and acceptance of his fate, a beautiful end to a conflicted character, constantly battling his own personal demons and toeing the line between right and wrong.

My Rating: 9 out of 10

Thanks for Reading.

Film Review Club