Trust

The first episode was a very well balanced blend of action, character development, humor, unpredictability and intensity. Also great scenery, and a nice incorporation of the culture of the 1970's.

I have absolutely no idea where this series is going, but it's easy to get invested in the characters - something that is often overlooked in new series.

I saw the movie, so I had some hesitations before giving this serie a chance. But I was pleasantly surprised. Of course they spiced it up a little, so you get a mix of something inspired on true events and a juicy family soap. If the level of production doesn't crumble (like American crime story) the following episodes, I'm in for a nice season.

I recently saw the Ridley Scott version of this story (you know, the one that does not have Kevin Spacey in it any more) and I just had to post and say, this just totally blows that out of the water.

That was a mediocre movie, not even beautiful, which is the least I'd expect from Ridley, but this is just fantastic, on every level.

The sheer charisma of this film-making is an utter joy to behold and evident across the direction, the performances, thumps out of the soundtrack, every part of this production is innovative, dazzling, fizzing.

My only slight, slight criticism is that the 4th wall breaking stuff from Brendan Fraser is too inconsistent and should have either been ditched or made much more of, more often. I guess they thought it was gonna be a big 'feature' when they were writing it and filming it, but then in the cutting room found they just had so much gold, they just didn't know what to do with it all!

Jump on the ride here, its fab and you wont regret it.

This is a tragic but true story surrounding THE most wealthiest family in the entire world. J. Paul Getty during the 1970's WAS THE richest man in the entire world and he was portrayed in this biography by esteemed actor Donald Sutherland who bares an uncanny resemblance to the real J. Paul Getty.

The first episode titled, The House of Getty, focuses on the death by drugs and by harakiri suicide of J. Paul Getty's eldest son George. The aftermath of the suicide represents what this dysfunctional families inherent wealth and power breeds. After the funeral J. Paul Getty is witnessed alone in his room berating his remaining heirs that are his other four (4) sons, three (3) of which are simultaneously hiding in one of their fathers mansions bathrooms sharing a cigarette and talking negatively about why none of them want to accept the responsibilities that their now deceased brother George once held.

It is during the aftermath of George Getty's funeral that a dishevelled and inappropriately dressed teenager named John Paul Getty III shows up at his grandfather's mansion with a plan in mind to either request or steal sufficient funds from his grandfather that would allow him to return to Rome and continue partying which is where he most recently was residing and enjoying his young life.

Donald Sutherland's portrayal of J. Paul Getty the richest man in the world is electrifying and one of a man who lived and shared money like a miser would, with no friends, far too many ex-wives, five (5) sons and a harem of mistresses who reside in his mansion and are available to him on his beckon call 24 hours per day and night. The opening episode is far from the over the top opulence and skulduggery of such former TV series such as Dallas, Dynasty and Flamingo Road. Instead, we are witnesses to a Getty family and his servants and mistresses that are all fearful of the man at the very top and who tend to walk on eggshells around him, cautious not to say the wrong thing in his presence.

I was very impressed with this opening episode and I am looking forward to seeing in future episodes of this Tv mini-series how J. Paul Getty reacts to the news of his grandson's presumed kidnapping in Rome.

I watched this on Netflix, and although it wasn't a Netflix production it follows the Netflix formula: ten hour long episodes per season. There was no need for this to be ten hours long. There was enough story to fill three, maybe four, episodes. The first couple of episodes were quite good. But then, true to the Netflix formula, there is an extraordinary amount of filler, like the butler storyline and one episode is spent almost exclusively on covering the confirmation of the son of one of the kidnappers.

I am sick and tired of the "slow burn" fad. Making something progress slowly does not automatically make it good.

That said, the acting is good, especially Sutherland and Brendan Fraser. Nice to see that he's back in the game. My main gripe is that the actor playing the main character, who is supposed to be 16 years old, looks far too old, like he's in his mid 20's.

If you have ten hours to spare, this is a good series to watch. Although I recommend having the fast forward button at the ready.

On a side note, one of the locations in the movie is the restaurant Sabatini in Trastevere, Rome. Whatever you do, do NOT go to that restaurant. They are famous for scamming tourists by adding "service" charges printed with minimal letters hidden away in the menu. Wildly expensive and garbage quality, a true tourist trap.