Review of the American Crime Story Gianni Versace

TV/Streaming

Into the Life of a Madman with American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace

2016'due south "American Crime Story: The People vs. OJ Simpson" was a television event, one of the most accomplished series of that entire twelvemonth. With an incredible ensemble, creator Ryan Murphy proved he had yet another act in him after the popularity of his "American Horror Story" started to wane. Of form, people started asking about a follow-upward before "People" was even over, and Murphy revealed that he was working on a version of "ACS" that would relate the disaster around Hurricane Katrina. On newspaper, it sounded like one of the most aggressive mini-series in Tv history, and it may however be as it will now reportedly be the third season of White potato'due south creation. Later on having some trouble getting that ane into production, Murphy rallied his collaborators and went to Florida, producing this week'due south "American Offense Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace." The issue is a less sprawling, ambitious slice than we may have gotten in New Orleans (also when compared to season 1) simply it'south nevertheless an impressive drama, one that plays with themes that have fascinated Murphy throughout his career. Featuring less star power than "OJ" simply a few stellar performances of its own, "Gianni Versace" will be a tougher sell to casual viewers, just those who get along for this journey into the earth of a sociopath will be dramatically rewarded.

On July 15, 1997, Andrew Cunanan shot mode fable Gianni Versace exterior of his habitation in Miami, Florida. He was already on the FBI's Most Wanted list at the time, having committed four other murders around the country on his way to Florida. After extensive investigations, a clear motive was never completely found, allowing Potato and his writers to swoop deep into Cunanan'southward past with a bit of creative license.

We do know that Cunanan was a chameleon and a con artist. He would regularly modify his advent and tell people elaborate stories about his groundwork and professions. Murphy captures him equally someone obsessed with prototype but hollow on the inside, and he contrasts him with a designer who created imagery from his soul. "Bump-off" is at its most ambitious when cartoon these parallels about the power of reputation and epitome. Andrew says in episode six, "For me being told no is similar being told I don't be." She may be speaking about the success of the family manner line but Donatella Versace practically echoes Andrew the next episode when she states, "We must be talked about or we are nothing."

"The Assassination of Gianni Versace" is structured in a very daring way, even if I'm not yet 100% sure that structure adds anything thematically. It essentially travels backwards, episode by episode. So, we open with the murder of Gianni Versace (Edgar Ramirez) and the events that followed thereafter as the cops searched S Florida for Andrew, played by Darren Criss. As the season progresses, nosotros encounter how Andrew and Gianni got here, like reading the chapters of a volume in opposite. For example, episode three gets us to the murder of Lee Miglin, a Chicago power player who Andrew killed just before leaving for Florida. Episode 4, the all-time of the eight sent for review, features Andrew and his unrequited dearest David Madson (the nearly testify-stealing Cody Fern, a very-probable future star) on a nightmarish trip that would end in David's death, but before Andrew went to Chicago to find Lee. And so on. By the time nosotros get to episode eight, directed by Matt Bomer, we're in Andrew'south childhood, learning about how his begetter'due south beliefs may have influenced his own. And this reverse journey finds fourth dimension to intercut episodes of Gianni'due south life, such as coming out to The Advocate with his partner Antonio D'Amico (Ricky Martin), or clashing with his sister Donatella (Penelope Cruz) about a business conclusion.

Narratively, a lot of "Gianni Versace" rests on the shoulders of Criss, and he doesn't always carry the weight. Playing a rage-filled, morally hollow grapheme like Andrew Cunanan would be difficult for whatsoever actor, but there's an inconsistency to this performance, particularly in the early episodes. Over again, I'm not sure the reverse chronology helps the unabridged production other than by the time we encounter Andrew in episode four speaking to Jeff Trail and David Madson, nosotros know he's insane. However, it creates a disjointed timeline overall, which makes the character harder to empathize or for Criss to play. And it leads to the feeling that the overall thematic cohesion of the slice is simply out of achieve. So while in that location are plenty of great moments, scenes, even episodes to recommend, I'grand not sure it all ties together.

Ultimately, watching "American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace" is a series of very Irish potato-esque gives and takes. Information technology is a show that feels both swollen and gorgeous. Yes, at that place's a office of your brain that will say, "This might have worked better as a movie of two hours instead of a series of ix," only another, bigger part volition be enjoying the performances and production values plenty not to care. In that sense, it's like to the fashion world it attempts to capture—so pretty y'all don't intendance how much information technology costs.