When AMC's The Killing debuted, the show promised that it would be a season-long investigation of a single murder investigation, one that followed the emotional repercussions of the murder as well as the legal investigation. That's a great idea, but the series misfired on almost every imaginable level, from too-plentiful red herrings to absurd plot revelations, from bad acting to bad writing, and culminated by not ending the case when it promised. And yet, I always hated that that idea never found the show it deserved...until now. A short series produced by the BBC (I was under the impression that it was a mini-series, but it seems that it's now got a second season), Broadchurch used the same basic idea that The Killing did - a young boy is found murdered in a small British town, and the series follows the investigation and the repercussions to the killing as they flow through the community - but did so brilliantly on every level imaginable, delivering beautiful cinematography, impeccable acting, strong plotting, and an emotional impact that was almost physical by the time the series ended. While the plot of the show never loses its focus from the killing of a young boy, the small town setting is used to its utmost, as the town's inhabitants find their own consciences and secrets laid bare in the wake of the horrific crime, all the way to the gut-punch of an ending that feels both shocking and yet completely set up within the world of the show. But what really setsBroadchurch apart are the performances, which knock it out of the park across the board. Whether it's David Bradley as a newspaper stand owner whose friendship with the boy comes under suspicion, Pauline Quirke as a gruff, stern woman who seems to hate the world, or just about any other member of the supporting cast, Broadchurch works in no small part because of how rich the world is. But there's no way to praise the performances without talking about Olivia Coleman as DS Miller, David Tennant as DI Hardy, and Jodie Whitaker as Beth Latimer. As a policewoman who's lived in Broadchurch her whole life, Coleman makes a superb foil/partner for Tennant, whose curt arrogance can't cover up his charm or his talent. And as the grieving mother, Whitaker is absolutely incredible, bringing her pain and hurt to bear while never feeling like she's going over the top with it. In all, Broadchurch is a spectacular series, one that tells a single story very, very well, and does so while putting on a great showcase of outstanding acting. I can't recommend it enough, plain and simple - it packs a devastating punch, but it's well worth it.
- Josh Mauthe
- Josh Mauthe
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