Trust

8 reviews thus far, that surprises me. It also doesn't surprise me at all. It is not fast paced, semi-funny, cheap Netflix content, therefore not appreciated.

The synopsis is very interesting, the story-line intriguing. The acting rock solid, no-one exempted. Characters al have proper backstories and are interesting from the get go. The pilot had all the ingredients of a great show.

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.

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 approached "Trust" with some trepidation. I let it set on the Sky Box for months, having recorded it in the summer of 2018 but not actually coming round to watching it until Easter 2019. Most of the trepidation came because I'd seen some lukewarm reviews and I had seen "All The Money In The World" that year, so was already familiar with the story. I'm glad I gave it a chance though, as with a bit of distance from the film, I found the series pretty enjoyable.

The grandson of the world's Richest Man, John-Paul Getty (Donald Sutherland) is kidnapped in Italy, but his kidnappers have not accounted for the ruthlessness of the old man, who refuses to pay the ransom. Whilst young John III's mother Gail (Hilary Swank) and Getty's "fixer" Fletcher (Brendan Fraser) attempt to determine what's happened, and even whether the kidnapping is genuine, the Italians that have him are becoming increasingly frustrated and desperate.

I think I preferred "Trust" to "All The Money In the World" as the 10 episode scope allowed for a much more detailed look at the case. A deeper investigation of the family dynamics ahead of the kidnapping and a closer look at the mechanics of the crime family that held their valuable hostage are a couple of the deeper cuts. I did worry ahead of watching the series that it would be pretty dry, but it's infused with a sense of pace, and is very well mixed with the editing and cutting in of music of the time. Performances are, across the board, excellent and much credit should go to Harris Dickinson, who is the only actor in every episode, playing John-Paul Getty III, the victim of the kidnapping. Despite his early bohemian wastrel ways, you never lose feelings for him and feel some of the peril he goes through.

It does take one huge risk, allowing Brendan Fraser's character to directly address the audience during two of the episodes. What might be jarring switch actually works quite well, as it allows to show to unload a lot of the context, and the wider resolution on you, without becoming to tiresome or protracted.

Maybe it's just that my expectations were particularly low, but I really enjoyed "Trust" - an unexpected treat.