Jeff Daniels, with his commanding performances in series like "The Newsroom" and "American Rust," steps into a new role in David E. Kelley's "A Man in Full" miniseries as Charlie Croker, an Atlanta-based property baron grappling with financial woes. Yet, despite Daniels' prowess and a few commendable performances from his co-stars, this show falls short of expectations.
Borrowing its narrative from Tom Wolfe's 1998 novel, "A Man in Full" in its modern avatar centers around the extravagantly wealthy Charlie Croker (Daniels), modeled on real and fictional tycoons alike. However, his opulence is shattered when the bank demands a colossal debt repayment of $800 million.
In a race against time following his lavish 60th birthday bash, Croker battles Harry Zale (Bill Camp) from Planners Bank and his former protégé turned loan officer, Raymond Peepgrass (Tom Pelphrey), to buy some relief for his beleaguered empire. Meanwhile, as a mayoral election unfolds in the backdrop, Croker's lawyer Roger White (Aml Ameen) is engrossed in a racially-sensitive court case involving his secretary's husband.
Entering “A Man in Full,” one might expect a captivating power-driven drama akin to “Succession,” but such hopes are soon thwarted. The series seems like a fusion of “House of Cards” and “The Chi,” with a deep undercurrent of class disparity running through the narrative. However, the overall story execution struggles to tie together the humor, judicial realities, disparities, and overarching social issues.
Kelley's exploration of social topics is marred by an excessive cast of underwhelming characters, blurring the threads of the narrative. Besides, the translation of 1990s politics and racial issues into a modern-day context leads to an oversimplified depiction of complex societal problems. Kelley's work pressures viewers to comprehend and relate to the characters immediately, robbing the narrative of authenticity.
Aml Ameen delivers the most engaging performance as the beleaguered lawyer, adding spark to an otherwise disappointing series. Despite Daniels' charm and remarkable Southern drawl, his talent remains under-utilized in this failed portrayal of Atlanta's complicated panorama.
