As Good As It Gets

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Hard to find a likable character after watching the 1st season. Maybe this makes it "more realistic" but as a viewer is hard to immerse in a story where everybody (relevant) is that deeply flawed. Now, about the age of Brosnan's character: I doubt the producers "didn't do the math", as it has been claimed in some other reviews. Yes, if the young Eli was (at least) 15 in 1849, he should be 81 in 1915. Certainly 1915's Eli, ridding horses, shooting, getting shot, etc. doesn't look like 81 years of age. I mean, it's quite a stretch. It's impossible.So, in the spirit of Conan Doyle's: "Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth." I'm going to assume from now on that the two Eli's are different persons.I'm speculating young Eli and old Eli..are not one and the same character. Maybe young Eli is old Eli's father. After all, on the brink of death a vision inviting you to cross the boundary into the "other World" is ...yourself but younger? Mm-nope. It's probably somebody else you knew and loved. Who is now dead. Hence ...there are two distinct Eli's. Which, of course, explains the age issue. I guess, we'll see. If it turns out we're supposed to suspend disbelief on this age issue I won't be able to take AMC seriously anymore.

This is a great show. I love the history and detail of everything. The story line makes you wonder how things were back then. Always love shows that teach you history and entertain you at the same time. The acting is good. It's shows apart of the west that a whole lot others don't discuss. Worth watching

Visually lush, ambitious docu-soap along the lines of "Boardwalk Empire" set in 1849 and 1915; but no gangsters, just (no offence intended) pesky Injuns and pesky Mexicans. Parallels drawn between the struggles of the 1840's Comanche (who have captured Young Eli), and those of 1915's Old Eli as the Mexicans and the banks try to take his farm away - except his over- acting granddaughter just discovered oil.It's about time! After six episodes, I've seen all the ambushes, bodies, beatings, shootings, torturings I need. How about some PLOT, guys? The outright bad guy, an obviously racist troublemaker, is so two- dimensional that he disappears if he turns sideways. And of course, there's a Magic Black Man. Very slow buildup,and only four episodes of this season left. If there's to be a second, they need to sharpen up.Pierce Brosnan sort of works as the patriarch of the Old Texas farm, but he hasn't quite mastered the accent. And others have pointed out that if as indicated, he was kidnapped 66 years ago he's looking very sprightly for a guy who must be in at least his mid-70's. In 1915 that was OLD.Good to look at - CGI has come along way since Boardwalk Empire. The Son looks a lot more expensive than it must have been, but that's about it. Plot- wise, it's sub-Dynasty. Things happen because the script says they do, not because the characters are driven by anything apart from killing Mexicans or Indians.The Son is probably strongest on its sympathetic, uncompromising depiction of the Comanche, and its staging. It's weakest on everything else.

I've read the reviews and also the criticisms and accept that my lack of knowledge of that period in US history hinders my ability to judge the accuracy of the series (to date two episodes have been shown in Israel).We're really enjoying the series which seems very authentic to us. The production is beautiful and I'm particularly enjoying the scenes of the young Eli McCoullough and his life with his captives. I don't know if it's historically accurate but I imagine that this wasn't a rare occurrence during that time. The acting is generally good and it's marvellous to see the excellent Carlos Bardem in the show.Brosnan is always enjoyable to watch but I agree with those who wonder at the age of the character in comparison with the actor playing the part of a man who must be ....80+? However I've decided to forget that point and just enjoy the story which is unusual and entertaining in a sea of the usual TV offerings - zombies, horror etc.