Boss (2011)

No relaxing allowed with Boss. Sorry about that, and sorry for this series, which remains smart, absorbing and particularly well done.

Even at its worst, Boss radiates intelligence and toughness, and an appreciation of politics as a nonstop performance in an unscripted drama.

TV viewers who watch Boss probably won't be disappointed and even those who are wary of latching onto a new series have reason to give the show a chance.

Starz' new eight-episode drama is at once the most cynical and most captivating portrayal of American politics ever presented on television.

The Gus Vant Sant-directed pilot of what is easily the most important project in Starz history pulses with the sort of corruption that absolute power sires.

Grammer's performance is thoroughly engaging and convincing. And the events swirling around him never fail to snap, crackle and pop.

When you have a story as thoroughly involving as this one, evoking both "King Lear" and "Citizen Kane," and when the performances are this good, Boss almost directs itself.

Starz has its channel-defining series in Boss, a wholly impressive new drama that comes out of the gate with gravitas, swagger, originality and intrigue.

Une série politicarde sur la vie chiante comme la pluie d’un maire atteint d’une maladie incurable (c’est pour titiller la corde sensible, une ficelle grosse comme une maison, me dit-on) ; un maire qui se débat dans sa vie de politicard avec un tas d’autres tocards du même acabit dont on a rien à secouer et rien à branler. C’est donc bourré de bavardages stupides et insipides, le tout sur une mise en scène à deux de tension. Le journal télé de TF1 en comparaison (une comparaison très con mais appropriée) et ses chats écrasés s’avère infiniment plus intéressant à suivre que cette série à la godille qui donne envie de balancer sa godasse (et ses pantoufles) à la gueule de l’écran.