When a TV show combines a great cast with a promising story it seems too big to fail. And indeed “The Night Manager” is a great show.
Jonathan Pine, a night manager who works in a Swiss hotel, is recruited by an intelligence agent after witnessing a personal tragedy. His mission is to infiltrate an international arms dealer’s network.
The miniseries is based on the famous book by legendary writer John Le Carré. Over the years there have been talks of an adaption of John le Carré’s book. However the production companies all failed to deliver a script. The BBC decided to adapt the novel into a miniseries with the help of AMC and The Ink Factory. All the episodes are directed by Danish director Susanne Bier (“In a Better World”, “Brothers”). She directs every episode as a movie. Bier directly sets the tone for the whole series in the first episode, creating a sense of mystery and thrill which puts you on the edge of your seat. The locations are grandiose and beautifully shot by the Director of Photography Michael Snyman. The greatest strength is that the show seems grounded into reality. The action is not rushed, the dialogue is beautifully written and the cast is impressive.
The show stars Tom Hiddleston (“Marvel’s The Avengers”, “Thor”), Hugh Laurie (TV show “Dr. House”), Olivia Colman (“The Iron Lady”, “Hyde Park on Hudson”), David Harewood (TV show “Supergirl”), Tom Hollander (“Pride and Prejudice”, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”) and Elizabeth Debicki (“The Man from U.N.C.L.E”). Tom Hiddleston is a charming leading man who has the talent and the looks for the job. But the real stars of the show are Olivia Colman and Hugh Laurie, playing a cat and mouse game with each other without meeting. Hugh Laurie shines as the ‘worst person in the world’ Richard Roper, a man who seems to control the MI6. Without making the character likable Laurie is still able to charm you in accepting his way of life and decision. But behind his calm façade hides a dangerous monster that Laurie lets out a few times which gives an adrenaline shot to the show. A powerful and charismatic performance from the actor. Olivia Colman plays the handler of Jonathan Pine, devoted to bring Richard Roper down. Eventhough she is pregnant (also in real life) she doesn’t want to give up the chase. Colman cleverly uses the character anger and desperation to portray a very British spy. She seems the only one capable to stop Roper.
The show build up to an incredible climax in the last episode. The ending doesn’t disappoint. A strong contender to be the best show of 2016.
