Manhunt offers a fresh perspective on the Lincoln assassination in large part through the lens of Lincoln's Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, magnificently played by Tobias Menzies.
As a history buff (and especially a Civil War period history buff), I liked this series. In broad strokes, it deserves commendation for its overall accuracy, staying faithful to the facts that matter the most. There are a lot of complaints about the historical inaccuracies and I did see some as well, but let's remember that like nearly all scripted productions that Hollywood creates, many nuances are fictionalized to tell a better story.
Regarding casting, while I initially had reservations about the choice of Hamish Linklater for Abe Lincoln, ultimately, I believe the casting directors got it right. Not only is Linklater an incredibly talented versatile actor, but also the on-air bromantic chemistry between Menzies and Linklater is undeniable. Additionally, the strong performances by Anthony Boyle, Lovie Simone, and the amazing Lili Taylor leave little room for complaint.
For me, the crux of any TV series or movie is the story. It's clear that showrunner Monica Beletsky is a crafty storyteller, making for a very watchable and entertaining series. So, if you like good storytelling, then this series is for you.
I'm giving this TV series a 7 only because about mid-way through the series I got bored, yet it had a strong start and a very strong finish. I also think directionally there were too many moments that felt just a bit too surface-level, lackluster, and contemporary for what could have been a more powerful historical piece. The overabundance of flashbacks also made it a bit challenging to keep track of the storyline. That said, I'd hate to end this review on a negative note because I do think this was a well-crafted nonfiction mini-series that is worthwhile watching with good actors and a good story. So, just watch and enjoy. Cheers!
