THIS RIVETING NEW TV SERIES FROM AUSTRIA, VIENNA BLOOD FINDS ITS NICHE WITH AUDIENCES WHO LIKE THRILLERS

Luise von Finckh, Matthew Beard, and Jurgen Maurer
star in the PBS thriller "Vienna Blood"

Agatha Christie was the queen of the murder mystery genre hands down. The transfer of her novels to the stage and film mediums for viewers only increased her fans and followers. She was the most popular author in history second only to the book authors of the Bible. However, after seven decades of her plots, characters and clever plot twists her plays are now viewed as dated classics. They lack the freshness and challenge for lovers of both feature films and for murder-mysteries filmed as TV series in the 21st century.

New creative players have tossed their hats and talent into producing quality films for American TV audiences. Only this time the creative story tellers and technical wizards are from Austria and the UK. Case in point is the new British/Austrian psychological thriller series "Vienna Blood”.

It’s beautifully filmed by cinematographers Andreas Thalhammer and Xiaosu Han as part of Masterpiece Theatre’s TV series that is streaming on PBS on Sunday evenings at 10:00 PM (PST). The technical camera set ups and shot selections are top tier. Their capturing of Vienna’s magnificent museums, great public buildings and its many architectural landmarks is the icing on the cake of this thriller TV series that keeps the viewer fully engaged right to the end. Series Two is wonderfully directed by gifted Robert Dornhelm.

The series, based on British author and psychologist Frank Tallis, brings cultural diversity to the table enriching these new stories and the performances. We’re in the 21st century now, film and theatre art forms today are evolving, sometimes even being ahead of the public in many cases. Gone are the days of Edwardian England where ladies were frowned upon for the sin of ambition by having careers of their own outside the home. Their place was at home raising their children and pleasing their husbands.

The “Vienna Blood” series has already entered into season Two as of January 9, 2022. It is still set in Vienna at the turn of the 20th century and features the same terrific cast of core characters from season One. Screenwriter Stephen Thompson adroitly stitches the disturbing events throughout the subtle, and the not so subtle, smell of anti-Semitism that wafted throughout Europe that eventually consumed a sub-rosa element in European society.

Max Liebermann, rivetingly played by English actor Matthew Beard, is a brilliant young former student of Sigmund Freud, who now helps the Viennese police department and Inspector Oskar Rheinhardt (Jurgen Maurer) investigate a series of gruesome and violent murders that are terrorizing Vienna.

At first both men have to size each other up. Inspector Rheinhardt believes Max’s youth and lack of police procedures and experience will get in the way of catching this madman killer. Max feels that Oskar is too rough around the edges when questioning witnesses and suspects in using old fashioned heavy-handed techniques. What is called for, according to Max, is someone with a cool and composed logical mind and intelligence to win the day. One catches more flies with honey than with vinegar. And the beat goes on…eventually the on-stage chemistry between Max and Oskar kicks in and the pair become a formidable crime-solving team.

Max’s financially comfortable parents are portrayed by Conleth Hill as his father, and Amelia Bullmore as his mother, both of whom believe that what their doctor son really needs is a wife and children to fulfill his place in Austrian society. His sister Leah, played by Charlene McKenna, is Max’s protector and supporter at home. Max’s younger brother Daniel is passionately played by Luis Aue, alas he is too young to challenge his parent’s rules and regulations at home.

There are nineteen performers in this excellent TV series along with limited space to list everyone. However, there are always standouts, and “Vienna Blood” is awash with them. Luise von Finckh as Clara Wiess has an on and off relationship with Max, much to his parent’s delight, comes close to tying the knot but both young people agree that marriage to one another is not in their futures.

Hospital lab assistant Amelia Lydgate crisply played by Lucy Griffiths catches the eye of Max, but 1900 Vienna, hospitals still enforced the ‘verboten’ rules of no patty-cake fingers between employees while at work. Besides, Max has to deal with his tormentor boss, the anti-Semite Professor Gruner, who is deliciously played by Oliver Stokowski, along with the duplicitous Raphael von Bargen as Inspector von Bulow, and Simon Hatzl as the equally venal Police Commissioner Strasser.

Initially the “Vienna Blood” series received mixed review: 56% positive and 44% negative. As a film critic I write my reviews for audiences that were unable to see what I viewed. Ultimately however, the success of any creative endeavor lies with the audience, and in the case of this series - with a whiff of anti-Semitism. The technical components are superb. Mathew Beard and Jurgen Maurer will become stars as American audiences discover their talent.

If you missed the initial screening of “Vienna Blood”, don’t despair. Just keep your eyes peeled for future screening dates and times. It’s bound to be aired again later in 2022.

Remember… a great nation deserves great art. Support the arts!

-- Jack Lyons

HOPE AND BEAUTY RISE FROM THE ASHES IN SPIELBERG'S DYNAMIC NEW VERSION OF "WEST SIDE STORY"

The Jets and The Sharks face off at the dance in "West Side Story"

It is said that with age comes wisdom. It is also said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The eyes of today’s beholders are currently in love with "West Side Story", master filmmaker Stephen Spielberg’s brilliant revival and updating of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” from 16th century Italy to 1950s New York City.

For the purists in the audience, relax. There are no core story violations or cannibalizing from old scripts. One doesn’t monkey around with the Bard, or for that matter the music of genius composer Leonard Bernstein or the incredible lyrics of legend Stephen Sondheim, without there being consequences. 

This new “West Side Story” was written by award-winning playwright Tony Kushner (Angels in America), and is a 90 percent rewrite of the original 1957 Arthur Laurents libretto. The story is the same, but the dialog now has a freshness that rings true despite not one f-bomb being hurled from the screen.

The collaboration between screenwriter Kushner and director Spielberg is right on the money. These two pros, at the height of their powers, provide new components and ways of making Shakespeare’s story relevant in today's America.

The stark opening shot of the rubble and demolition debris of what was once New York’s Upper West Side Puerto Rican enclave called San Juan Hill tenement district brings to mind the mythical Phoenix that rises from its own ashes. The destruction is giving way to the construction of the Lincoln Center Complex, home to New York’s Opera House and three live theater venues. Once again, New York is transfigured for a new generation. 

Thanks to the artistry and creative camera work of cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, this sequence forecasts the old axiom that love and its redemptive power never dies, it merely is reborn.

The film features explosive, high-octane dance sequences, choreographed by Justin Peck, that stand tall on the power sources of talent, commitment and the performing chops of the large cast to carry off the film’s premise. The colorful costumes of Paul Tazewell give the audience a kaleidoscopic stage panorama of swirling costumes, vibrant colors and the athleticism of fabulous dancers. 

While the large cast of performers cannot all be listed due to space limitations, there are exceptional, stand out performances. The starring role of Maria is winningly performed by 18-year-old bilingual actor/singer Rachel Zegler. She has a beautiful soprano voice and the camera loves her. Her 6’3” co-star, actor/singer/dancer Ansel Elgort as Tony, is the possessor of a fine falsetto that compliments Bernstein’s romantic music moments.

There are other new stars in the making of this production, such as Ariana DeBose who plays Anita, Maria’s best friend. Ms. DeBose is an accomplished dancer and Broadway actor (Hamilton) who has a million-watt smile that lights up the screen. Her beautiful duet of "I Have a Love" with Maria following the deadly rumble is achingly poignant and reinforces the redemptive power of love that can bring tears to one’s eyes in the safety of a darkened theater.  

Spielberg, ever the film innovator, also has Maria and Anita speak Spanish to one another in a few of their scenes without the benefit of English subtitles. Risky? Yes. But the talent of these two actors need no subtitles; we ‘get’ what they are saying via their acting skills. It's just sublime stuff, not to be missed.

In other key roles, the rival gang leaders are fiercely portrayed by Mike Faist as Riff, the Jets leader and David Alvarez as Bernardo, Maria’s brother and leader of the Sharks. Strong support also comes from Jose Andres Rivera as Chino, Maria’s jilted boyfriend, and the fabulous 89-year-old Rita Moreno (Academy Award winner for her 1961 portrayal of Anita) as Valentina, the widow of the store owner ‘Doc”, who let the Jet gang members call his store their clubhouse. Also keep your eyes open for a little gem of a performance turned in by Iris Menas as the character Anybodys. It's a small but eye-catching characterization. 

There will no doubt be many Oscar nominations coming for this exciting $100 million dollar production that takes a bit of an economic risk with its bold but talented triple-threat cast of seventy-one performers, most of whom are relative newcomers to movie screens. However, don’t over-analyze or compare these talented new faces with their celebrated predecessors; just go with the flow and let the film wash over you.  

No matter your age, I urge you to see this new “West Side Story” movie at a multiplex near you. You won’t regret it.

And remember….a great nation deserves great art.  Support the arts!

-- Jack Lyons