User reviews

I watch a lot of foreign movies and TV series because I find most domestic products to be formulistic, highly predictable, shallow or simplistic (many fine exceptions exist - as examples True Detectives, Breaking Bad, Justified etc.). This holds particularly true for anything offered by the big 4 networks. As an example watch both versions of the series " Secrets and Lies" and you will clearly see the difference between an off shore and a domestic take on the same story. For me there is no comparison, the original Aussi version is much more to my liking.

Now to "Crime Story"; it takes a couple of episodes to develop but like a fine wine after it breathes a bit the content becomes richer and more accessible. I really appreciate the casting, character development is strong and the pace is just right for me. All the actors are superb, pretty much every cast member gives an honest and compelling performance. The camera work is artful, not artsy but artful, adding to the experience. It is a drama and as such there is very little to feel good about here but the story so far is strong, well told and deals with serious issues. I eagerly look forward to each new episode. My typical viewing habit is to record episodes of shows I follow and then watch 2 or more at a time. Skipping through commercials, especially for dramas, allows the story to flow and for emotional or dramatic moments to make their point and to leave a mark. If you are a reality TV watcher or do not value well staged dramas move on - there is nothing for you here. However if you enjoy a script which is well written and deals with big relevant issues, stellar acting and something different from the majority of the cookie cutter series out there I'd say give this one a try. I was very surprised when I read through the other reviews here for this fine series and found the amount of negativity that they contained. My guess is that, like myself, the audience for a show of this caliber pretty much dismiss network offerings and will never find it. Regular network viewers need the familiar and don't know how to appreciate the slower more deliberate pace of the story , the depth of the questions raised, or the skill with which this series has been crafted - this is too bad because I find the time invested to be well worth it.

Life doesn't happen in neat chapters where one part of the story wraps up neatly and then moves on to another. Life doesn't present its main characters always with perfectly coiffed hair and Hollywood-style makeup. And that's exactly why I'm really liking American Crime. It's a slice of life - a very sad and often confusing slice of life. American Crime festers in the dark side. It brings out the worst in humanity ... so far. I imagine as the series gets further along, there will be changes that come with plot revelations and character development. I'm enjoying the well-thought out plot so expertly put into words, the richness of the acting that brings that script to life and the occasionally brilliant and always good cinematography. The score by Mark Isham contributes just he right tension without becoming overbearing or, like so many other productions, just too loud. I can't think of a thing missing. This is the formula for a very, very good TV crime series. I hope each episode is as good as the first two that I so much enjoyed.

If one adheres to the belief that art reveals some critical aspect of being human, then American Crime is one of the best pieces of art I've ever seen in a network television series. The title may mislead viewers into expectations of a high-octane cop procedural; those anticipating such will be disappointed. Just like Breaking Bad (without the violence) American Crime operates on a much deeper, psychologically-taut, gut-wrenching level. It burrows into the souls of its characters, depicting each as they react to and evolve from a single murder committed in Modesto, California.

Described without spoilers, the series begins after the fact, immediately introducing us to eight main characters touched directly by the crime and who are bluntly stereotyped by race, religion, familial position, lifestyle or psychological make-up. They react according to type but as facts of the murder emerge, the burden of carrying these conventions under such inconceivable circumstances forces each character to evolve from type or submerge more deeply and desperately within it.

To say that American Crime reveals how messy life really is would be trite, a whopping understatement. These are extremely diverse characters, linked by a singular event and inflicted with raw, immense pain. They are extraordinarily fleshed out by the likes of Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton, Penelope Ann Miller, Benito Martinez and the always underrated but extremely gifted W. Earl Brown (Dan Dority from Deadwood, for a television reference).

Creator John Ridley wisely chose to develop the series anthologically; like True Detective, the characters draw viewers into a world most never see and while the journey is richly satisfying, it is also so wholly unsettling that one can't imagine it continuing through 12 episodes, season after season.

Usually I don't write reviews. But this series deserves definitely more appreciation!

First of all, if you look for light fare, pure entertainment, fun or action, just forget it.

This one is different: As the title reveals the show revolves around a crime. But other than usual it's not basically about solving the case, but rather the (lack of) interaction of those involved: the victims, the alleged suspects, their families and lawyers, the legal system, the media etc. It makes you want to hug and punch them, sometimes at the same time.

It is a disturbing, unpleasant, annoying and depressing trip through fear, pain, despair, confusion, guilt, grief, anger and hate; an honest and uncompromising examination of mankind's abyss, its failures, prejudice, lack of mutual understanding and the denial, ignorance, accusations and injustice that comes with it, inside families, inter-cultural, as within the social and legal system.

Similar story could happen anywhere, not only in the USA, unfortunately.

+ Realistic Script + Coherent Execution + Authentic Characters + Outstanding Cast

By the way: I started it once last year and after 3 episodes I stopped. Like some critics mentioned, they want to get entertained, not depressed. Back then I totally felt the same way, though at the same time I found the concept, realization and especially the cast brilliant. So I just waited for the right mood. Now I gave it another try and it was totally worth it.

It's said we're in a golden age of TV drama, and here's more evidence. One astonishing fact about this series is that it was made by ABC, one of the supposedly fossilized networks, rather than by one of the newer niche cable channels. And now it's available on Netflix (at least here in Canada) so you don't have to dodge commercials.

There are two seasons, the first of eleven episodes, the second of ten, and both track the consequences of a crime that has already happened. The first series, set in Modesto, California, concerns what is apparently a murder-rape by lowlifes of a golden all-American young couple. The second series, set in Indianapolis, deals with an unsavory sexual incident at a party held by the basketball team of a private school. The lives of staff and students at this entitled institution for the wealthy are contrasted with their counterparts at a typical local high school.

The simple, unsensational title is a clue to what this series is trying to do. It aims to be nothing less than an anatomy of contemporary American society. It persuades us that these crimes and their repercussions reveal a great deal about national attitudes to race, education, money, sex, violence, guns, drugs, policing, journalism, social media, the justice and penal systems—you name it. And as with The Wire, a series which had similar ambitions, one comes to understand and sympathize with these characters and their predicaments, even if one doesn't like them. Here is America today in microcosm, and it's not a pretty picture. But Americans are not as exceptional as they sometimes imagine. As this series suggests, the characters' problems are human problems, and you certainly don't have to be American to identify with them.

What is quite unusual is that several of the main parts in the two series are played by the same actors, as in repertory theater. This may be a gimmick, but it works, as the standard of the acting is very high and the effect is to draw attention to the Shakespearean theme of appearance vs reality. The performances of Felicity Huffman, who plays both lead female characters, both unlikable in different ways, are astoundingly good. It helps, of course, that the rest of the cast, the dialogue, camera-work, editing, even the score are of the highest quality.

American Crime is grim and as far from light entertainment as you can imagine. But its final effect is not depressing. Lies are relentlessly exposed for the damage they do. Deeper and more difficult truths, the only kind it's safe to build trust on, start to emerge. And those are perhaps the most important messages that come from this outstanding series.

This series is undoubtedly one of the best series we have right now.

Season 1 wasn't everyone's cup of tea. But, it highlighted so much that I've never seen on television before and was arguably one of the best scripted and acted series of 2015.

Season 2 is on a whole other level. Just a few episodes in and this series shows how all series should follow-up to previous acclaim. This season has one of the most original and intriguing plots I've seen in ages. I predict this season will also earn several Emmy nominations.

What really stands out in this series other than its acting and script, is that it greatly focuses on race, gender and gender roles, sexuality, drugs, wealth, power and status.

I have watched the entire first season, and about half the secind season. I find the show a slow paced, but often honest protrayal of America today. I can understand how many people may not enjoy this show since in their opinion " it's not entertaining". I highly disagree, but different strokes for ddifferent folks.

There are many people that put down the show, because of an artistic choice by the director, to cast the same actors every season, in different roles. Some, in seeing the same actors seem to think, that the characters changed off screen in between seasons. The Muslim woman, having somehow acquired a Business degree, and dropped her religion to become a high powered executive, was given as one example. The drug addict thief, becoming a high school principal. The fact that they have different names seems to have not been noticed, and somehow this failing of the reviewer is used to Point to a supposed weakness of the show.

They also say they have never seen this before. American Horror Story does the exact thing brilliantly. Repertory Companies also do this on stage, where a company of actors will have several plays under their belt, and one night might put on ONE. and the next a totally different one. It is new on Television, but the practice goes back to the days of Shakespeare, and Marlowe.

This is like watching a production of Comedy of Errors one week, then seeing a production of Hamlet the next, then complaining that the show lacked cohesion, because... the guy that played one set of twins on week one, is now playing some guy named Laertes the next... " where is the cohesion??"

It seems to me that simply paying attention to character names, and plot, would show some people that... it's a different story, with different characters. The fault is in the viewers not understanding what is easy to understand, ..Not the Director's for lacking cohesion.

I guess this is what we get from viewers too used to Hollywood Pablum? When you have viewers so used to having Every Little detail explained to them... they cannot seem to use their minds when a show refuses to connect all the dots.

TL;DR: Superb Show, average network viewer not up to snuff to appreciate it.

American Crime focuses on the people surrounding a criminal case and the difficulties that they go through rather than the actual crime or criminal investigation itself. While I understand the merits of this and appreciate it the point they're trying to make, the fact of the matter is that I want to know the outcome. I want to know what happened. The acting is great and the series is well written (probably too good for network television though) but it's a let down getting to the end of the season having no idea what actually happened. The series doesn't need to focus on the investigation or be a police procedural to give the viewer a but more payoff at the end. We can struggle with the families of crime victims and ultimately learn the truth/see how things turn out without losing the main message of the show.

Just two episodes in, and I am hooked and heart-broken again. I just keep thinking "this is all around us, this is all around us." The strawberries that we ate for dinner? And the low cost hotel I drive by on the way to work..what's happening in those fields and rooms?

The new members of the cast are as strong as the old. I feel that the issues that American Crime addresses this season are wider-reaching, yet personal at the same time.

It's hard to watch bright and shiny commercials during the show - a weird juxtaposition.

I had hoped this was going to be a great series. Alas, I found it to be extremely painful to watch. The melodrama just never ends, great shows like "The Wire" have class & depth to the story that extends beyond the tragedy & drama at the center of the plot, making them more like real life. "American Crime" has no depth & way too much intense angry drama between the characters. The outcomes of all plot lines are all pretty predictable.

Basically I felt like I was watching a show produced for really bad rehab clinics to show to their teenage clients to scare them on to the straight & narrow.

4/10 as I'm in a good mood right now, but I've watched all 10 episodes & every one has left me feeling incredibly irritable.

i still don't get the rating, it is one of the best series running. no cheap tricks, no "unexpected but seen a million times" turns and twists. each episode is just another brick in the wall for all the characters. and they are not black or white, they are grey. like everyone in real life. when they move to a darker or lighter shade of grey it is just life as it is. highly recommendable!!!

Lets face it, race has pretty much always been the number one talked about subject in America. For better or for worse it seems that no one will ever stop talking about it. Fast forward to America Crime which is a brand new crime drama centered on a few characters who are all connected through a murder and a rape. Did not think I would be interested in this drama but after the first episode I was hooked. The acting seems to be top notch and realistic from everyone. The artistic view of race relations in this show is amazing. It's slow paced yet the conversations are meaningful and deep. I believe race can be addressed without offending anyone and this show does it. I don't think it's so much that people are racist but it's more that people make assumptions based on what people look like, the music they listen too or the tattoos they have. This show will make you think about how you view the next person. It proves that no matter what race you are everyone has their own problems and usually the same problems of everyone else. Gave this a ten because most shows that come out don't live up to the hype of what the show is about. This show gives you everything it promised no more no less.

I could wax lyrical about the acting, the writing, the direction, the cinematography and all the usual things people talk about.... all I will say is in a world where the kardashians are considered great TV/Entertainment, this show reminds us of what really is amazing acting, fantastic storytelling and compelling storytelling with a narrative in both seasons that is relevant to our times. Simply one of the best piece of TV to come out of Kardashian land in a long long time. Season 2 was even better than season 1, though very different story lines, though I did feel some ends where not tied up well in S02. That said, and to reiterate, one of the best shows produced in the USA that i've seen in a long long time. Felicity is simply brilliant, and why is it that we don't see more of the rest of this very talented cast of regular and sporadic guests. More more more please.

Writer-creator John Ridley's yearly 10 part dramatic exploration of the ripple effects of a horrific crime (or crimes) across several families of different races and classes in America (examining both victims, and possible perpetrators) is surprisingly strong and political for a network show.

Having an ensemble of amazing actors return each year as new, very different characters in new stories (as is also done in shows like "American Horror Story") adds another interesting layer to a show that asks questions about identity and the roles we play out in our lives.

My notes while watching each year:

Season 1: While occasionally in the middle episodes it slips a bit into making the characters archetypes and mouthpieces for points of view, by the end these people (and performances) all show surprising complexity and depth. Similarly, the reliance on some convenient twists of plot and personalities fades as the show builds to a highly moving conclusion. Very well directed throughout with a cinematic touch that gets away from TVs over reliance on head on close ups, this show is brave enough to take on un-commercial hot button topics like racism (both from one race to another, but even within racial groups against others in the same group), crime and the failures of the criminal justice system, the nature of personal versus societal responsibility, and poverty – all without becoming a polemic, but staying an effective and affecting drama.

Season 2: If not quite up to the very high standard set by the astounding first season, this is still a highly intelligent, challenging and well executed 10 episode closed end series examining some touchy and complicated social issues – rape, homophobia, racial tension, parental failures – by once again starting with a crime, and observing how the after-effects ripple out through various families of different races and socio-economic stations in a small American city/suburb. Unlike last year's story around a murder, this year the central crime itself is a question mark. Was rough sex between two boys at a high school party rape? Or was it consensual?

Like the first season, there is an almost Dickensian sweep to the many characters and to how their individual stories criss-cross as the episodes go along.

One problem for me – I wish Felicity Huffman's Leslie Graham – the head of a high end private school attended by the students involved in the alleged rape – was less of a one note dragon lady. Huffman is a brilliant actress, but somehow in the writing and execution she's the first major character in the 2 years of the series who doesn't seem to have an empathetic side to go with her dark one. And that hurts in a show that's all about how relative truth is. There's a sadistic side to her character that makes her harming of those around her less complicated and emotionally confusing than I wish it was.

But in general creator/showrunner John Ridley once again does an excellent job at getting under the skin of American life, and getting to the truth that nothing is ever as simple as it seems – or as we often wish it was. And that being too sure of one's own righteousness is indeed often setting one's self up for an awful fall.

Overall, the both years of the series are full of heart wrenching and disturbing scenes. This isn't a 'fun' watch, but is an important and intelligent attempt to examine the dark and complex issues pulling America apart in the early 21st century.

Season 3 - As strong in it's way as the amazing 1st season, this is less personal and intimate, but more epic in it's scope, presenting a larger picture of how 21st century American economics and social norms have ensnared and warped all of human behavior. It captures the struggle to find moral balance in a world where the poor are just trying to make enough money to survive, and the better off are clinging desperately to their advantages before they're taken away.

But the power of the show is that while it's political in the sense that any attempt to understand why our communities and country work the way they do is political, creator John Ridley is smart enough to know that any such examination has to go through human characters we can understand and identify with, even when they occasionally making terrible choices or behave in deeply disturbing ways.

Dickens knew this. So did Arthur Miller. And there are echoes of both those great story tellers here as personal morality collides with larger often laudable goals, and relationships are twisted and bent by the pressures of day to day life.

Tremendous performances all around, and this season there's an almost complete avoidance of simplistic heroes and villains, Everyone here has a heart, and everyone goes against it at times.

This is an anthology crime series. Each year is a new case and the cast takes on different roles. It is highly ripped-from-the-headlines and hits a lot of hot-button issues. Race is definitely at the top of the agenda but it is not the only one. Felicity Huffman, Regina King, Timothy Hutton, Richard Cabral, Elvis Nolasco, and Lili Taylor return year after year.

The first two years are the most compelling. They follow a central crime. The show does push buttons and sometimes they push the wrong ones. The third season loses the thread with no central crime mystery. Instead, it's a bunch of loosely connected people, each with a hot button issue. It becomes scattered and disconnected. The actors are always game. The idea of an anthology series with a set cast could work but each year needs superior writing. This show ran out in the third year.

Just finished season 3 after finding the other two years on Netflix. Simply the best network drama series (ABC) in years if not decades. Brutally honest portrayal of moral dilemmas in American life. Writing, acting and directing are superb. Warning: No Hollywood endings.

After two seasons - season 2 better than 1 - I'm convinced and will watch the third. The cast is very variable in terms of quality. Felicity Huffman does a good job, Timothy Hutton less so, Regina King in a permanent close-up only convinces me to a certain extent, but it's the good stories that convince me and once again the proof that ABC dares to tackle unwieldy topics and hold a mirror up to a bigoted society. So you can't and don't have to like any of the characters and you can watch this series as a sociological study of a society torn apart by religious delusion, race and class struggle and displaying a materialistic harshness that is quite something. I'm glad I don't have to live in this country and prove every day what a tough guy I am who has nothing else in mind but to survive - whatever the cost.

Terrible. Season 1 was fantastic. Season two is all over the place. The overwhelmingly MASSIVE lack of acceptance for homosexuality. Why is everyone so appalled by this kid being gay? I grew up in a small town. It was not like this when a kid came out.

The unimaginable disbelief of every single person that a man could be raped. Regina King literally says "What?! A man can't be raped."...You're telling me she portrays a very smart and successful grown woman and she can't fathom a world where men can be raped? Thank you writers for trying to make everyone feel stupid.

Then the random interjections of the Mexican/Black war being waged at the "other" school (can't think of the name because there is absolutely no development of the story around it).

THEN the random dialogued race baiting, which season 1 did not contain. One example when they're all sitting at the dinner table talking about how white people are entitled. That scene had absolutely nothing to do with propelling the story.

I am truly astounded at how atrocious season 2 was. Season one dealt well with racial divides and real issues without ever deviating from the story or making the viewer feel stupid.

This is an amazing show!! With a cast that evolves and tells such amazing stories. Very sad that abc dropped this.