declanjmcmanus

I still think that The Wire is and always will be the best TV series ever - just to set down my marker. The critical departure from the traditional efforts was the development of many interesting and well acted characters which gave it a depth and breadth hitherto unseen. The Shield came pretty close too but, in my opinion, was not quite in the same league - now Spiral has something extra. It has a whole range of interesting, very credible characters and a complex but entirely credible storyline, some great script and a really gritty passion. The investigations are often fraught with poor decision making, good luck, bad luck and questionable practices by police personnel in the front line. Many events appear on first assessment to be unlikely but the not so old adage 'fact is stranger than fiction' should be kept close at hand as a reminder of how unlikely real life often is. One thing this is not is 'predictable'. Be warned, the Crime Scenes don't pull any punches and some may need to avert their eyes.

Refreshingly unlike a lot of Hollywood's products where one is fed the director's opinion and invited to swallow it whole. Here a simple story is told without the usual, clearly identified good and bad characters. We watch a story thread its course and are invited to decide for ourselves who, if anyone, is guilty or innocent. Mahommed, the main character, could easily have been portrayed as the stereotypical Jihadist instead he is depicted as frightened and confused which one would suppose are the normal reactions to the situation he finds himself in. It is set in stark but beautiful environments and one can vividly feel the pain and deprivation which is depicted in a most understated manner. This film is different, it is in a league of its own and will be appreciated by anyone with a mind of their own - essential viewing for those who don't.