Historial delictivo

This is a great social commentary than a simple murder mystery. Story makes a precisely deep cut on the feel-good fabric to prove how unconscious narratives are constructed during profilings and prosecution. Dramatization of a complex topic such as this is remarkable. Excellent work by the cast living each character realistically. Great visuals to express the inequality and the social decay it's causing setting a chaotic background for the plot. Unique audio effects and music. The story is a slow burn and messy as a thriller but it's expression of the society makes the watch well worthy of time.

As a US resident I've become used to a particular approach to the subject of racism in policing, perhaps more closely hewing to stories originating in the states versus in the UK where this show is set.

The characters and their situations are more nuanced then many I see in crime dramas. After 4 episodes I am still not completely certain of the motivations of one(of the two) major characters. I suspect there is more beneath the surface then is readily apparent, but I'm not certain, and I'm enjoying the (potential) shades of gray as they surface.

The acting is impressive and the script well written.

In summation, if your looking for a formulaic approach each episode you will probably be disappointed. Stereotypical characters, ditto.

I could still be let down by where the show leads, in which case I will come back and modify my score and this associated review, but for now I'm enjoying the ride.

I may be wrong, but this is IMDB, people, and TV shows are TV shows.

It gets complicated when we use the reviews tab for debating politics, racism or political correctness instead of assessing a production as a whole, or try to 'punish' the show with a poor review just because the angle or the ideas portrayed in the plot do not match our view of the world. Yes, it happens, sometimes we get incensed about some messages (this is not the case, Criminal Record is certainly not about the message), but, as a reader seeking for reviews before watching a show, I prefer less opinionated perspectives and find them more helpful.

In purely cinematographic terms, this is a quite enjoyable show, even though the theme is not new to the genre and has already been visited before by quite a few crime and procedural series.

However, the premise still holds, and so far the story is intriguing enough and ambiguous enough to feed the mystery about how things will resolve in the end. You wonder, is the 'bad guy' really that terribly bad or is he not, and a surprise awaits at the end of the season?

It is a pleasure to watch the extraordinary performances of Peter Capaldi (kudos) and a very accomplished Cush Jumbo, who add complexity and nuances to their characters.

Capaldi, in particular, is magnificent. His facial expressions are austere and exuberant at the same time (how does he do it?).

All the supporting roles are well performed and the script hooks the spectators enough to have them waiting for the next chapter. It is not The Wire, it is not Line of Duty, and it stretches some plot lines a bit. But it is still a fine show. I have watched a few hundreds of procedural and detective shows, and this, so far, I am enjoying.

The acting from the two leads doesn't get much better. Jumbo and Capaldi give an absolute masterclass in acting. Cush Jumbo gives an incredibly nuanced performance expressing emotion and feeling with every word and look. Capaldi suitably scary as the big bad cop. The story has twists and turns and keeps you guessing. There really is very little to dislike about this show. If you like quality drama it's definitely worth giving it a go. Some reviewers have decided the show is about white folk always being cast as villains but I'd suggest they're bringing some already existing hang ups and looking for ways to reinforce the view. I didn't find any evidence of any prejudices in the way the story was told or cast.

Criminal Record is a British crime drama that offers a tense and thought-provoking watch, powered by excellent performances from Peter Capaldi as the unsettling DCI Dan Hegarty and Cush Jumbo as the determined DS June Lenker. The story centres on the reopening of a murder case from ten years ago, where a Black man may have been wrongly convicted. It tackles issues of race, power, and bias within the police.

The show jumps back and forth in time, which can sometimes be confusing, but it helps reveal the characters' personal struggles and the broken systems they work in. Hegarty represents the old-school way of policing, using pressure and loopholes to protect himself. Lenker, on the other hand, risks everything to uncover the truth, even if it means going behind her colleagues' backs. Their tense relationship is at the core of the series, though it sometimes feels drawn out.

Rather than focusing on solving a mystery, the show looks at bigger issues like racism, sexism, and corruption in the justice system. It has a dark and serious tone, supported by strong visuals and eerie sound design, making it more disturbing than entertaining at times.

The ending may disappoint, as it lacks a big twist or clear resolution. Still, Criminal Record is a gripping series for those who enjoy crime dramas that deal with real-world issues and aren't afraid to ask tough questions.