House Of Cards Review
Adapted from the books and the show created for British television in the early 90’s – House of Cards gets a revamp, a move to Washington USA and a very familiar David Fincher-like look to it.
Ian Richardson did sterling work, breaking the fourth wall in the original mini-series and here Kevin Spacey inherits the mantle of a wronged politician, out to usurp from within.
This 13 show first season is both impressionable and well played. With the extra time compared to the original there is plenty of time to establish characters and slowly build tension as Francis Underwood (Spacey) sets about his plan. A couple of episodes are more contained – but work well to further express character background. A visit to Underwood’s Military school is particular highlight, but the relationship that we get the most out of between Underwood and his wife (Robin Wright). Both have coloured pasts, and agenda’s for their future and the complications set in along the way of this further deepen the characters presented to us.
If there are bugs to bear it is that perhaps there may be cause to think that US producers want more than three series out of this beast and have not even covered all of the groundwork set out in the original tale – only part of it. And what is missing from this first series to make it truly 100% is a killer of an ending. Instead we end like it means to go next week. Only audiences will have to wait the usual year.
A job well done, perhaps. Season 2 doesn’t have it on easy street yet. It may still have to up the game if this show is to provoke it’s viewers into hanging around. But with Spacey front and centre it is an accomplishable mission.
Steven Hurst