“The Sympathizer” takes us on an intimate journey alongside its unnamed protagonist, who escapes the fall of Saigon as a refugee and ends up in Los Angeles during the 70s. Like typical immigrants in America, he encounters bigotry, works undesirable jobs, and wrestles with adapting to a foreign land. However, he carries a grave secret that could shatter his future and influences all his actions. Based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and turned into a television adaptation by Don McKellar and Park Chan-wook, the series kicks off on HBO this week.
When we first meet the narrator, he's in a Vietnamese communist reeducation camp, recording his ventures to bolster the revolution. He's a secret communist conspirator within the Vietnamese Secret Police, transferring invaluable espionage data to his Viet Cong allies. Despite this, his boss and his CIA handler remain oblivious to his underneath activities.
The central character, portrayed impressively by Australian-Vietnamese actor Hoa Xuande, has his strong bonds tested as he navigates the harsh reality of balancing loyalties and managing secrets. Following his journey from Vietnam to America and the subsequent turmoil only adds to the engrossing narrative.
Park Chan-wook's deft handling of the opening episodes creates a palpable atmosphere and conveys a storytelling energy that distinguishes it from other American TV dramas. Alongside his editors Vikash Patel and Jin Lee, Chan-wook presents an appealing blend of visually impactful and structurally dynamic storytelling.
Robert Downey Jr., who also wears the executive producer hat, channels his versatility and becomes an intriguing part of the narrative. Yet, it's Hoa Xuande, best known for his role in Netflix’s remake of “Cowboy Bebop”, who steals the show with his deeply nuanced performance.
Regrettably, the latter part of the series misses the mark, as Chan-wook steps back from directorial duties and the narrative momentum starts to falter. Despite this shortcoming, "The Sympathizer" remains a compelling watch, shedding light on the oft-overlooked Vietnamese perspective and the mind-boggling complexities of the immigrant experience.
