Tom Pelphrey's show-stopping full frontal final act of defiance is 'A Man in Full' in a nutshell
Contains spoilers for 'A Man In Full'
ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Nailing the smooth landing of a series can be tricky. Audiences expect a satisfying resolution to the characters' arcs and the central plot. Netflix's latest release 'A Man in Full' has seemingly failed at both.
The series opens with the introduction of 60-year-old Charlie Croker (played by Jeff Daniels), a real estate mogul, who lives his life-king size. However, his laidback lifestyle turns chaotic when a bank chases him after he fails to repay his debt worth $800 million.
Sharing the spotlight is banker Raymond Peepgrass, a man whose life revolves around taking down Charlie Croker.
'A Man In Full' ending comments on toxic male ego
Throughout the series, the dynamic between Raymond and Charlie is a microcosm of power struggles and male ego clashes. Charlie, being a brilliant mind and a confident man, always manages to stay a step ahead of his lenders. But the climax couldn't fall in Charlie's favor as it would have been way too predictable, ain't it?
Raymond's clever and unexpected chess move sets the stage for an explosive finale. However, David E Kelley's handling of it leaves us shaking our heads in disbelief.
Raymond creates a new entity named Big Red Dog LLC, in partnership with Charlie's ex-wife Martha. The 'Big Red Dog' theme, initially a quirky expression, takes on a darker, more symbolic meaning in the final moments of the series.
The symbolism behind Tom Pelphrey's full-frontal scene in 'A Man In Full'
Shock sets in when Tom Pelphrey playing Raymond Peepgrass delivers a full frontal scene that ultimately sheds light on the unchecked male ego, the urge for dominance, and the consequences of obsession and greed.
Netflix's 'A Man in Full' doesn't shy away from the exploration of toxic masculinity and the lengths men will go to assert their dominance.
Charlie repeats, not once but twice, in the series, "A man's gotta shake his balls." In the final scene, when Raymond flaunts his genitals, the series comes full circle, bringing focus on toxic masculinity back to the spotlight.
In the final showdown, Raymond's wagging his 'big red dog' is more than just a shock factor. It's a statement of power, a moment of reckoning where egos clash and lives are irrevocably changed. The symbolic act sums up the entire show's exploration of power, ego, and the journey of men who refuse to rein in their 'big red dogs'.
Charlie's response, "Big red dog indeed" is laden with layers of meaning, acknowledging both the literal and metaphorical implications.
The violent confrontation that leads to the death of both men is a stark reminder of the destructive force of unchecked masculinity. It drives home the point that greed and obsession lead to nothing but destruction.
Kelley's decision to end the series with a cautionary note about the male ego is a bold move. Despite clinging to a strong theme, the message doesn't come out as clearly as it should have been.
The only emotion that viewers have by the end of the series is confusion about the absurdity of how things end. In order to chase the unpredictability, Kelley's conclusion to the series fails to be thought-provoking.
'A Man In Full' trailer
'A Man In Full' is available to stream on Netflix.