'The Sympathizer' Finale: 5 reasons why Max series is a must-watch
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Almost fifty years after the fall of Saigon, HBO Max portrays the important historical event in its latest series 'The Sympathizer'.
Drawing references from real-life instances, it presents the fictional tale of a spy of the North planted in the South Vietnamese army.
'The Sympathizer' is a screen adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name.
Starring Hoa Xuande and Robert Downey Jr in key roles, the historical black comedy series comprises seven episodes, each approximately one hour in duration.
As all the episodes are finally available to stream on Max, here are the top five reasons why you shouldn't give it a miss:
1. Park Chan-wook's direction
Park Chan-wook, as a showrunner and director, has delivered a piece of art. We're grateful that the adaptation was entrusted to him, and that he gave it the treatment it truly deserved.
Park Chan-wook stands as one of the most prominent filmmakers of 21st-century world cinema. His treatment of the dark genres such as crime and thrill has gained notable recognition in his career spanning three decades.
His reputation for seamlessly blending dark humor into inherently brutal subjects makes him the ideal candidate to helm 'The Sympathizer'.
He has brought Viet Thanh Nguyen's book to life by paying attention to details and has succeeded in bringing forth its relevance among Asians and Americans.
2. Compelling performances
'The Sympathizer' is a clear winner when it comes to performances. Hoa Xuande succeeds in reflecting the dual identity of Captain. The switch between his personalities doesn't throw us off balance where most actors falter.
He effortlessly embodies the character's chameleonic personality, yet somehow makes us sympathize with him. He projects the emotions of grief, regret, and moral dilemmas with utmost finesse.
Xuande's performance is elevated by the presence of Robert Downey Jr, who recently won an Oscar award in the Best Supporting Actor category for 'Oppenheimer'.
He seamlessly transitions between multiple roles with the use of heavy prosthetics, embodying each character with distinctiveness and authenticity as required
Even Toan Le as the General, Fred Nguyen Khan as Bốn, Phanxinê as the Major, Alan Trong as Sonny Tran and Sandra Oh as Sofia Tran perfectly complement Xuande in supporting roles.
3. A notable book-to-screen adaptation
Turning a popular book into an equally popular screen adaptation is no easy feat. Over the decades, we have witnessed several films and TV shows failing to meet the expectations of book fans due to their lackluster execution.
Fortunately, 'The Sympathizer' does justice to Viet Thanh Nguyen's literary masterpiece. While the Max series may not adhere strictly to the source material, it still manages to capture the essence.
For the readers of the book and otherwise, 'The Sympathizer' makes an interesting watch and deserves a few nominations at the Emmy Awards.
4. Relevance in history
Navigating the realm of history within the entertainment industry can indeed be challenging. Dull settings and a monotonous narrative often contribute to the downfall of historical productions.
Apple TV+'s 'Franklin' is one such example. Benjamin Franklin's biography with utmost historical relevance lost its charm amid repetitiveness and slow pace.
Though 'The Sympathizer' is a fictional story, it does make ample use of real events of the Vietnam War, making one aware of the history.
It showcases the fall of Saigon in 1975 and emphasizes its aftermath. In a world where Asian history has been either neglected or told from the perspective of Americans, 'The Sympathizer' is a refreshing change.
Moreover, it subtly critiques the common misconception among Americans of perceiving all Asians as the same. Casting Robert Downey Jr in four different roles, comments on racism by showing how Whites may look the same to Asians.
5. Engaging screenplay
'The Sympathizer' is a seven-episodic series, each showcasing a new urgency in Captain's life, thus pushing forward the show's momentum.
Park Chan-wook has somehow managed to keep the series engaging in every episode till the very end.
If you haven't watched the series yet, this is your cue.
'The Sympathizer' trailer
'The Sympathizer' is available to stream on Max.