For the last week, Hiram and I have been watching the DVDs of John Adams, the award-winning miniseries that first aired on HBO in 2008. The miniseries lived up to the book in every way possible. The historical details, the costuming, the make up that aged the characters so accurately right down to rotting teeth and unhealthy skin tones (as noted by my nurse husband), meticulously researched and rendered settings and costumes, and brilliant acting brought the multi-faceted historical figures to life, illumiatinging both their great strengths and weaknesses.
At times I despised John Adams for not holding his temper in check, his pompous vanity, and his lack of mercy toward his alcoholic son and an unwise son-in-law. More often, I loved the man for his courageous pursuit of America’s independence, his passionate defense of the constitution, and his unending love, respect and dependence upon his wife.
The relationship between Adams and his wife Abigail is the very center of the series. Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney’s performances were rich and nuanced. Their characters matured, as did their relationship, over the fifty years covered in the story. And when each reached the end of life (I’m not giving away the ending here since they both died over 200 years ago), they had become such dear, familiar friends, it was hard to let them go.
If you’re looking for something to fill the long winter evenings, the John Adams miniseries could do the trick. Not only will the dark nights fly by, you’ll absorb thirty years of American history in the process. It will the most enjoyable social studies class you ever take. I guarantee it.
