Goliath, an Amazon Original Series, available currently to stream on Prime is a fantastic and gorgeously made show. Led by a phenomenal performance by Billy Bob Thornton, the plot centers around the struggle of two opposing legal parties in a case of enormous consequence. Thornton’s character, also named Billy, leads a legal team of societal misfits, while William Hurt, playing the insidious Donald Cooperman, puppeteers a back-biting team of elite attorneys from his legal firm
Billy’s character as the main protagonist is a washed out, legal legend in his day. For reasons slowly revealed in the show, he went from being an apex lawyer in a gigantic law firm, to being a divorced, raging alcoholic living in a crappy hotel. He has a tenuous relationship with his daughter and ex-wife, and employs a drug-abusing, prostitute as his paralegal. After being fired from a criminal case, a plucky criminal lawyer, played delightfully by Nina Arianda, approaches him asking for his help on a case involving the firm Billy used to work for. Arianda is wonderful in her role as his chatty sidekick, and she brings a fresh energy that plays beautifully off of Billy’s underplayed intensity. In fact, all the actors are outstanding and its fun seeing Thornton reveal a powerful and complex performance in Goliath. Billy accepts the case and seizes an opportunity to find redemption. He re-enlists Brittany, (the prostitute paralegal) played by Tania Raymonde, who in turn hires a plump legal clerk, Marva, by the lovely Julie Brister, and they get to work. Billy’s brilliant legal acrobatics when facing his powerful opponents allow for engaging courtroom drama, punctuated by how much you hate the other team. And, even though he frequently uses sleazy tactics to work his case, his nasty tricks don’t hold a candle to Cooperman’s villainous law firm.
Hurt brings an interesting and brave performance as the ultimate evil lawyer, Donald Cooperman, and I did find a few scenes a bit awkward until the character is allowed a bit more development. He is a very flawed individual, both physically and psychologically, and totes a God-complex of epic proportions. He manipulates the ambitious lawyers who work under him, delighting in using intelligent and commanding women as his playthings. Molly Parker offers up a fantastic role as Callie, a she-bitch lawyer who is being pushed out of Cooperman’s favor in lieu of a younger, up-and-coming junior, Lucy (Olivia Thirlby). She’s vicious and unmerciful, and you just love to hate her. And, despite how awful the bad guys all are, the show portrays the very human vulnerabilities that drive them. This allows you to stay invested in their struggle, and adds a profundity to their story.
While the backstories for each character do unfold, they aren’t used as transitional subplots and in some cases, they are left half revealed. This adds a sense of mystery to many of the characters and with a second season confirmed, it gives us plenty of discovery to look forward to in the future.
The show was produced and written by David E. Kelley and Johnathan Shapiro, skilled and experienced television talents. This experience shines through and we are given a smart and organic script. It carries the emotional weight of each character, while weaving the viewer through a complicated law case and interpersonal dramas.
Esthetically, the show is shot beautifully with a flair for using grand wide shots of stunning buildings. The majestic backdrops of many of the scenes further emphasize the strife of Billy, a rogue lawyer, against the enormity of the law firm. Set design and camera work are used to their fullest artistic potential, always inviting the viewer enriched impact and intention of each scene.
Now, I know I’m a little late in the game to review this show, as it has been available for viewing for some time now. I’m glad to see that it’s getting good buzz and I simply wanted to offer my words up to the pile of praise. Goliath is a wonderfully crafted show and deserves an abundance of recognition. If you haven’t streamed it, I recommend you do, and let me know what you think.
Thanks for reading!
The Diva Del Mar
