2023 Show
Chad Feehan · United States of America · English
David Oyelowo is fantastic in this mature, cinematic biographical series
Knowing better than to dwell on its title character’s early life in bondage, Lawmen: Bass Reeves grants him his freedom early on and establishes him as a man of inherent dignity and complex emotion. Even in the first two episodes watched for this review, Reeves (thanks to a stellar performance by David Oyelowo) is defined by a wide range of relationships and skills—all of which is unified in the character’s realization that emancipation has not automatically led to peace, and that America remains a relatively lawless land. It’s all handsomely mounted, with high production values and a willingness to breathe through quiet moments that give its somewhat obligatory western action the gravity it needs.
The story of Bass Reeves, the legendary lawman of the wild West, is brought to life. Reeves worked in the post-Reconstruction era as a federal peace officer in the Indian Territory, capturing over 3,000 of the most dangerous criminals without ever being wounded—and is believed to be the inspiration for The Lone Ranger.
"A strong (if ponderous) exploration of America’s first Black sheriff."
— Clint Worthington
"Recognizably of a piece with Sheridan’s filmography, while striking a tone and moving at a pace of its own. It’s a more sustainable execution of the power producer’s distinct vision -- and, more importantly, a better one than some recent attempts."
— Alison Herman
The story of Bass Reeves, from his emancipation from being an enslaved person under the Confederacy to becoming one of the first Black deputy U.S. Marshals.
Oyelowo continues to prove himself as one of the best actors of his generation, able to play action hero, romantic leading man, and vulnerable victim of institutionalized racism all at once (even speaking Native American languages in some scenes). He easily avoids the pitfalls of making Reeves sound like a caricature of an enslaved person. In fact, you can tell exactly what Oyelowo is doing when he does take on a slightly more exaggerated twang with his voice—a survival tactic to keep the eyes and the whips of the white slavers off of him for a little while longer.
Oh, British Shakespearean actors really don't mess around.
Emil Hofileña is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. He also writes as a theater critic, with work published in Rogue and Out of Print, among others. He’s probably crying over a movie or an episode as we speak.
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