Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: THE AUDACITY [SXSW Film - Austin, Texas]
The aspect of TV series at film festivals has become more of a structure especially with premieres because normally pilots set the stage for a bigger mentality while maybe being different from the regular continuance of making a film on a seasonal basis. "The Audacity" [TV Premiere] from Jonathan Glatzer (this is his first created show after working on shows as writer such as "Bloodline", "Succession" and "Better Call Saul") explores the new Silicon Valley ideal which is different than that of 20 years ago. The mentality is not much different but the mental state is different in a way. The show stars Billy Magnussen as Duncan Park. Magnussen, having done many smaller parts and supporting roles, always transforms in a way and here is no different. Park is brilliant but misguided, lost but also completely in charge, wracked by insecurities and yet present and not present. It is a tricky blend which Magnussen is able to aptly navigate, stumbling a bit at certain times but nevertheless keeping right on track. The first episode merely establishes the first bit of a would-be downward spiral. But the reality is a failure -- if a person functions and see opportunities -- might be falling upwards but there is always risk involved. The Q&A afterwards was moderated by Kara Swisher of the Pivot podcast (look her up). She almost hijacked the entire Q&A simply because she has interacted with all the Silicon Valley magnates and their wives and so on. (She was wildly entertaining but also name drops like mad). As actors, most of the cast were simply trying to capture certain aspects (which Swisher contends they did). Simon Helberg (covered in long hair and beard in the part) plays Martin Phister, a quieter Silicon Valley player, who seems like he will get up to no good later in the season (according to Helberg). Swisher did bring up that these people have certain personalities. Helberg made a reference to "The Big Bang Theory" in regards to the NASA types, who are different of course but also have certain personality traits.
The key relationship though of the show, that wasn't really spoken about in the Q&A, was with Sarah Goldberg (of "Barry") as Park's therapist who becomes the major structure within the first two episodes (in a similar way "The Sopranos" used a therapist). There is a back and forth between Magnussen and Goldberg that establishes certain truths. And, like "The Sopranos", the impact on the kids of everyone involved affect the plot as well. Glatzer knows this and is able to do some very interesting character traits and motivations with the offspring that will nonetheless affect the outcome. Rob Corddry, as an aside, also plays an interesting angle on a would-be veteran and actually in two scenes is able to create one of the more empathetic characters of the series -- though he is likely eventually headed for tragedy. Park, as Magnussen related, has created opportunity by the thinly placed misery of others. There is a lot of characters here that simply tolerate certain behavior but it is also eating them up inside. The key being that these magnates who think they are the holy coming are just people that fail. Paul Adelstein spoke in the Q&A also about how true that is across the board since those with power don't think or don't care about the mistakes that cause their destruction. They are willfully ignorant because they don't think it will happen to them. This is, of course. a context of human nature. "The Audacity" leans into this and while the plot does move forward in these first two episodess, it is more about examining the bad decisions the players are making, whether they know it or not, and the repercussions ultimately their actions will create. "The Audacity" is only the beginning of the story but adequately takes into account the possibilities and the failures. B
By Tim Wassberg
