MobLand:
Season One
review by Bobby Blakey
Some of the best stories are those of crime dramas be that on the big or small screen. Movies such as the Godfather and Goodfellas and TV shows like the Sopranos hold up through time for the complex characters and depth invested into the culture. The latest series that looked to find its place in that world was MobLand. The series stars Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren, Paddy Considine, Joanne Froggatt, Anson Boon, and Toby Jones from The Day of the Jackal TV series creator Ronan Bennett.
MobLand follows two warring crime families who clash in a battle that threatens to topple empires. In the crossfire stands Harry Da Souza, a street-smart 'fixer' who knows too well where loyalties lie when opposing forces collide.
I love this genre so all in anytime I get the chance to get in on the crime family’s worlds. This one has a bit of a different tone but lets you know quickly that it is not pulling any punches. Hardy leads the charge in a great twist not really being part of the family, but still seemingly the most loyal to them all. His connection with those in charge, namely Brosnan and Mirren with her more running things than you might realize.
Hardy brings that hard edge along with a family side that gives him more depth. He gets to flex multiple personas with these two worlds and kills it all around. The real treat here was getting to see Brosnan play a crime boss role and he is so good. He is a family man but also doesn’t take any crap. For all his strength and control of the family it is nothing compared to the quiet calm menace of Mirren as his wife. She is so great here and the one of them all to truly be feared.
The story hits all the marks you love in this genre complete with betrayal, violence, twists and turns to keep you invested and eager to see what’s coming. I love the initial set up to the family and the events that cause the current drama but wasn’t expecting to how off the rails it goes into the violence and turning on each other. I always love it when crime families do things to set issues in motion against another family as it sets up the clever turn that keeps you cheering for more violent fun.
The family drama which is really the centerpiece with the infighting and back-stabbing enough for this series to work. Every single actor goes all in and brings their own unique personalities that make for some great interactions and compelling engagement. The violence and budding war elevate it even more, getting you fully invested and ready to see what chaos this family will get involved in seasons to come.
This release doesn’t offer any bonus content, but the entire season of 10 episodes is enough to make it worth picking up. Grab your copy of MobLand: Season One available now on DVD from Paramount.