The Art of More

This show definitely does not deserve a 5.9 rating (at of the time of writing this review). The acting is perfectly good, the cinematography looks nice, the plot is interesting and the characters are likable and not too one-note. Overall, it's a very competent show.

As several people have said, it's a very original idea for a plot too. I mean, the seedy side of the art-collecting world isn't something you see on TV very often. Also, I really like how they open most episodes with a little 'history' on the pieces featured in the episode -- adds a nice amount of flavour to the show.

I enjoyed season 1 immensely, and I'm looking forward to season 2. Too bad it didn't go on for longer. All in all, this show might not be a groundbreaking masterpiece, but it's also no 5.9.

The Art of More taps into a fascinating world and has all the ingredients for a successful drama series. You couldn't ask for a better cast! Each actor brings a unique character and adds to the intrigue of the show. Christian Cooke is so good in this role and plays a very relatable character that you can't help but root for. I love shows that let me explore new avenues and this one brings you right to the center of the art world amidst all the action and takes you behind the scenes so you get a real taste of what actually goes on. There's glamour, drama, thriller and action all the elements to keep you hooked. Really excited to finish watching the first season!!

This is surely one of the worst TV series of the past decade. It's hard to decide which element of the show contributes more to its staggering stupidity - the terrible dialogue, the contrived plotting, or the confused storyline. While the first season was more about the intrigue behind the art world, it devolved into a derivative action drama in the second. It's as if the producers decided that adding murder and mayhem would save the series from its other failings.

But given the fact that a third-rate Montreal production company - Muse Entertainment - was behind the series it is hardly surprising that The Art of More could ever be anything other than an artistic and commercial failure. It is a wonder that the series even made it to a second season given its hollow character.

Kate Bosworth does her best to bring some integrity to the acting but the makeup artist on the series seems to have given her face a photo-shopped gloss that distracts from her performance. Surely someone on the production team must have notice her odd appearance?

Meanwhile, Dennis Quaid chews the scenery with his over-the-top portrayal of an multi-millionaire businessman turned art collector provides unintentional comic relief.

Finally, lead actor Christian Cooke brings zero charisma or gravitas to his Iraqi war veteran now trying to make a career as an art gallery dealer while trafficking in stolen artifacts. Perhaps had the writers given him a more interesting story arc Cooke might have risen to the occasion. But in the end he is simply one further example of the many strange artistic choices made by Muse and its showrunner Brendan Kelly.

Muse should stick to making the kind of derivative Hallmark-style TV movies that it is best known for producing.

Good performances from all to be sure. However, the material with which they have to work demands all your attention to fathom the sub-plot,within sub-plot, within sub-plot. The writers seem to be attempting to congratulate themselves on how messy and complicated they can make a thinly woven thread of a story. Each episode is one messy complicated disaster linked to another by a small hope of resolution but alas! Just another unresolved catastrophe and so it goes on and on and on. The resolution is very low making viewing difficult in low light and the dialogue requires audio enhancement to make out the actors' lines - most of which are mumbled and/or whispered. Perhaps I know little about art, but I know what I like - and this is not it. Anyway - judge for yourself.

I watched the pilot of the show and it is quite the Okay show (anyone looking for the next Rectify will not find it here). If someone likes Scandal they are sure to love this one as well. Bosworth, Quaid and especially Elwes are definitely earning their paychecks; Cooke (a relative newcomer) is not quite as certain in his performance and frequently gets overshadowed by his aforementioned cast mates. The show has some art talk and brushes upon some very current themes, but its overall tone seems a bit clumsy at times (although the production values are good) As I said, this is no Emmy-magnet (though whether the Emmys are a proof of quality is very debatable), but it might be an enjoyable show to continue watching and kudos to Crackle for trying something new.