Photo via IMDb
9.5/10
I’m here by order of the Peaky Blinders. Thomas Shelby, otherwise known as Irish actor Cillian Murphy, ordered me to write this review. After seeing Murphy’s performance as J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan’s newest film, I sought to watch him perform in something else. My experience viewing Murphy extended to Nolan films and “A Quiet Place Part II.” I had been recommended “Peaky Blinders” by friends as well as seeing its acclaim throughout the media. I knew after watching Murphy in “Oppenheimer” that this was the show I needed to watch next.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) production follows the Shelby family in 1919 Birmingham, England. The Shelby family run a gang known as the Peaky Blinders. Thomas, the gang leader, and the rest of his family are adjusting to life after WWI. The gang accidentally steals a crate of guns and Thomas soon recognizes the family business must turn legitimate to make the money he desires. Thomas battles the newly-arrived Inspector Campbell, sent by Winston Churchill to retrieve the guns and clean up the crime of Birmingham, as well as rival gangs and even his own emotion.
The setup seems simple; A gang leader and all his men versus the meddling police officer. Despite this, Thomas Shelby has been playing chess, not checkers. The amount of moving pieces he juggles while leading the Peaky Blinders is dizzying. It’s not until the final pieces fit together that you understand the plan of both Thomas and Inspector Campbell to destroy each other.
Getting in the way of each of them is Grace, a spy for Inspector Campbell sent to infiltrate the Peaky Blinders and earn the trust of Thomas. However, she earns more than that. The love for Grace that both Thomas and Inspector Campbell feel complicates their battle. The one who can control his emotion will prove to be the victor.
“Peaky Blinders” season one is simply amazing. The writing is sharp and complex and the performances by the entire cast are phenomenal. Cillian Murphy carries this show. His presence on screen is intimidating. You feel the importance and impact of Thomas Shelby without any lines of dialogue. This is a strength of Murphy’s, one which he later utilizes to great effect in “Oppenheimer.” Murphy makes you feel every emotion simply by staring. This physical aspect of his performance is what separates it from other performances in the show. This distinction proves him the leader multiple times throughout the season.
The performances by Paul Anderon and Joe Cole as Thomas’ brothers Arthur and John bring a different type of physicality. They are imposing and violent. They use these traits to not only instill fear, but to cover up insecurities. This is the key difference between Thomas and everyone else.
It’s Thomas’ ability to accept his faults and admit wrongdoing that proves to be his most useful trait. While his brothers lash out, he simply stands and thinks. Inspector Campbell constantly makes grandiose statements about how bad Thomas and the rest of the Shelby family are, but is just as bad himself. The difference between the two is that Thomas and the Shelby family are self aware of their wrongdoings. They are not good people and they know it. Inspector Campbell in contrast plays the role of the savior sent to clean Birmingham and refuses to see his own faults. A belief that he is doing the right thing clears his conscience of any wrongdoing he commits. This arrogance allows Thomas to beat him multiple times, not only in business but in the chase for Grace’s love. His hatred towards Thomas, and eventually Grace, causes him to act irrationally in the final moments of the season, all with the self-belief that he’s doing the right thing.
“Peaky Blinders” season one proves to any doubters that Cillian Murphy is a leading man. It also explores an interesting time period between the two World Wars. The six-episode season makes for a quick story arc, but nothing feels rushed or undeveloped. Season one was amazing and I can’t wait for season two.
SZNS MAG 