The Plot Against America

This is an adaptation of a Philip Roth novel. Philip Roth was a great American novelist, possibly the last great American novelist. He died two years ago at 85. One of his themes is optimism turning to pessimism and then back to a more mature optimism. This is not a flashy story: you are not going to find "The Handmaid's Tale" here, nor any depictions of the Third Reich in the U.S.A. You are going to find a story about how U.S. isolationism could have changed the course of history from 1940 on, with devastating results. You are also going to find the quality of production that was once synonymous with HBO. Having read the book, I can say that the story is going to go in some fairly grim directions. But you shouldn't watch this expecting flash: instead, watch it for a vibrant story, brilliant characterizations, and great themes...such as what it means to be American. It doesn't hurt that some very good actors who have rarely been fully utilized have some excellent material to work with. I think Morgan Spector, Winona Ryder, and especially Zoe Kazan - she is the foundation of the story - are all outstanding.