Susan Granger’s review of “Caesar” (four-hour TNT mini-series: June 29th and 30th)
Julius Caesar is one of history’s most fascinating and flawed figures. Filled with boundless ambition, his self-glorifying military exploits were legendary, as were his romantic liaisons. Finally, however, he was felled by his arrogance. This epic four-hour mini-series explores his background, his obsessive behavior and what led to his demise. A great leader, his commitment to politics compromised his personal life, which has a compelling contemporary relevance. The story begins as the tyrannical Sulla (Richard Harris) crowns himself King of Rome, launching a dictatorship distasteful to brooding young Julius Caesar (Jeremy Sisto), a champion of social reform. In the Senate, Cato (Christopher Walken) is Caesar’s harshest critic and Mark Antony (Jay Rodan) is his trusted cohort, while Brutus (Ian Duncan), married to Cato’s daughter (Kate Steavenson-Payne), is his friend-turned-betrayer. Pompey (Chris Noth), Sulla’s General, is Caesar’s ally, marrying Caesar’s daughter (Nicole Grimaudo), before becoming his arch-enemy. Cornelia (Daniela Piazza) is Caesar’s 1st wife, while Calpurnia (Valeria Golina) is his 3rd wife. Written by Craig Warner and Peter Pruce, directed by Uli Edel, this complicated character-study devotes too much time to the Gallic Wars and too little to political intrigue, particularly Caesar’s self-destructive involvement with Egypt’s Queen Cleopatra (Samuela Sardo). While the gruesome battle scenes are impressive, the choppy continuity is disconcerting and the make-up is remarkably unflattering. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Caesar” is a curious 5 as Cliff Notes of ancient history. On TNT, Part I premieres at 8 p.m. on Sun., June 29th, with Part II at 8 p.m. on Mon., June 30th. Encores are scheduled at various times during those two days.
