Godless: The American West on Netflix "Godless is an achievement in shedding new light upon, and adding relevance to, such a classic Hollywood genre. "

Godless is a seven-part mini-series set in the American West of the 1880s. The female-populated town of La Belle is headed toward conflict as notorious outlaw Frank Griffin (Jeff Daniels) and his gang hunt ex-partner, Roy Goode (Jack O’Connell) are hiding out there. Alice Fletcher (Michelle Dockery), widowed like the other women of La Belle, but an outcast nonetheless, recruits Goode to help on her farm where a bond, based on mutual acceptance and nurturing, develops. Godless navigates prejudices and egos which ultimately have little significance in a society where extinction is a just gunshot away. The star-studded cast of Godless set high expectations to meet and this spectacularly cinematic and yet intimate Western does not disappoint. The series’ genre is always at the forefront in terms of narrative and iconography but this in no way hinders the development of relationships worth investing in.

Across seven hour-long episodes, we are acquainted with a range of characters who are awarded layers of complexity with back stories sure to satisfy anyone with a taste for a great character-driven series. Colour-drained flashback sequences clarify character behaviour and provide sympathy for even the most deplorable of characters including villain, Frank Griffin, whose handiwork, a wasteland of death and decay that was once a town called Creede, is displayed in the first scene.

Godless engages in a subtlety that lures the viewer in, initially making dramatic scenes appear deceptively harmless. It boasts an antagonist whose unexpected appearances genuinely make your heart drop. The soundtrack constantly fails to announce his presence, lulling you into a false sense of security and then major discomfort when he is revealed. Deaths of key characters are unremarkable and this amplifies the shock and sorrow for an unprepared audience. The subtlety also extends to elements of romance in the series, especially the chemistry between Alice and Roy which is executed so minutely and tastefully that the impact of the smallest glances are overwhelming.

Godless is an achievement in shedding new light upon, and adding relevance to, such a classic Hollywood genre. By valorising lengthy sequences which linger on action without any dialogue, it acts as an excellent reminder of the capabilities of television as a visual medium.

 

If nothing else, Godless is a great opportunity to explore scenic vistas without actually having to go outside now that the weather has changed. Whatever you do, resist all temptation to watch this on the tiny screen of your phone which can’t possibly do justice to the incredible attention-to-detail and the stark beauty of the landscape.

●●●●○

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *