Fosse/Verdon

For anyone who has seen and enjoyed the 1979 semi-autobiographical film directed by Fosse, starring Roy Schneider and Fosse's last partner, Ann Reinking, this series will flesh out the saga. Rockwell and Williams do great turns as the titular characters, and the supporting cast playing so many luminaries of the stage and screen is both educational and entertaining.

I knew about Bob Fosse as a choreographer but had no idea he was such a talented dancer. Both protagonists are spot on in their performances. Michelle Williams is incredible. You can't see any differences and the real Verdon if you watch original footage of Verdon dancing.

As an Astaire enthusiast I never thought that I would say Fosse was better although he did copy many of Astaire's moves.

Anyone who loves dance and musicals will love this series.

Bob Fosse (Sam Rockwell) is the legendary American choreographer and director for Broadway and the big screen. Gwen Verdon (Michelle Williams) is his third wife, his dancer, and his artistic partner. This FX series examines the couple's relationship in eight episodes. Each one follows an aspect of their lives together.

The easiest praise is that Rockwell and Williams are great. That's a given. They are great actors. The structure of the show is somewhat different. It's not a straight linear story telling. It deals more with a single subject per episode. It takes some getting used to. At first, I couldn't take the way the show presents time in its text. It's some weird artsy indirect thing. I just want the date and year. Once I got used to it, it becomes a minor annoyance. The good aspect is that it narrows the focus of the episode. It's an intriguing way to do an bio mini-series. There is also the great acting.

This is a great series. The way I can tell just two episodes in, is that when I start watching it, the hour passes in about five minutes. I can count on one hand the number of TV series that I have felt that way about. The last one was The Americans. I really enjoy the music and dancing even though there hasn't been much of either yet. If the remaining six episodes are anywhere near as good as the first two, FX will win some awards with this.

More than the story, the acting is the source of fascination. Michelle Williams and Sam Rockwell are just admirable. The atmosphere, embroidery of music, image and make-up is great. A serie like a perfect past travel. And something easy to define more as magic than hommage.