'Franklin' Review: Michael Douglas' charm drowns in Apple TV+'s snooze-fest series
Contains spoilers for Apple TV+'s 'Franklin'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Based on Stacy Schiff's book 'A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America', Apple TV+'s 'Franklin' has failed to hit the mark despite its promising premise and star-studded cast.
'Franklin' attempts to narrate Benjamin Franklin's pivotal yet unofficial diplomatic mission in France, which stretched up to eight years, during the American Revolutionary War.
What should have been a thrilling lesson of statecraft and personal ambition is instead a sluggish, uninspired portrayal of the fascinating and important historical figure in America's history.
Slow pace overshadows compelling performances in 'Franklin'
Two-time Academy Award winner Michael Douglas plays Franklin, balancing the character's legendary wit with a playful twinkle.
His performance shines most when sparring with other historical figures, particularly John Adams and the Count of Vergennes. Sadly, the series falters every time the spotlight shifts away from him.
Franklin is accompanied by his teenage grandson, Temple (played by Noah Jupe). He is an interesting character up until he goes off the rails, indulging in gambling, booze, and women.
His romantic escapades and fashion lessons are a distraction from Franklin's weighty diplomatic endeavors. His tedious love triangle and frivolous adventures, dilute the series' focus and contribute to its bloated eight-hour runtime.
The pacing of 'Franklin' is a significant detriment. The series comprises of several countless scenes of backdoor negotiations that yield little progress. This repetitive structure, coupled with visually monotonous blue-grey settings, induces a sense of fatigue rather than engagement.
Thibault de Montalembert as Charles Gravier, comte de Vergennes is a breath of fresh air, projecting a strong, formidable personality.
'Franklin' disengages viewers with its dull narrative
Despite the efforts of writers Kirk Ellis and Howard Korder, and director Tim Van Patten, 'Franklin' struggles to maintain a compelling storyline.
Key historical details are pinpointed, but they are presented in such a disjointed manner that they fail to deliver a captivating narrative.
The series attempts to strip away modern perceptions of Franklin by revealing his weaknesses: drinks and women. However, it doesn't make the series any interesting.
The one episode that stands out is the final one which showcases the Treaty of Paris negotiations. This episode is filled with sharp dialogues and strategic maneuvering, highlighting the brilliance and wit of Franklin.
It's an important story to tell. However, a two-hour film would have been more effective rather than the eight, hour-long episodes with repetitive scenes and sluggish pace.
In the crowded landscape of streaming content, with compelling series like 'Sugar' and 'Dark Matter' on Apple TV+, 'Bridgerton' on Netflix, and 'The Sympathizer' on HBO, making all the buzz, 'Franklin' fails to find a place.
'Franklin' is now streaming on Apple TV+