As a fan of HBO's Six Feet Under, I am used to seeing Jeremy Sisto as a bisexual mental freak who this season wanted to mess around with his sister. So it took me a little while to see him in the title role of Caesar, the latest creation of the TNT network. Other than Sisto's far too frequently occurring brooding stares into infinity, I found this 4-hour miniseries very enjoyable.
Caesar takes us from the point in Julius Caesar's life where he became politically aware through the time of his death at the hands of many in the Roman Senate. For those who are not familiar with the story of the man who doubled the size of the Roman Empire, I realize I just blew if for you, but in knowing the ending, you will still enjoy the show.
The most interesting plot point ties directly to politics in the 21st century. Many of the men who would be the President of the United States have found that service in the Armed Forces (serving one's country) is a necessary step to the oval office (What they do once they are there -like go AWOL for months - is, many times, not a highly reported thing). Likewise, Caesar felt the way to lead Rome was to establish himself militarily. In order to do that, he needed troops. Unable to pay for them himself, was to work with the only person who could help him with that, General Pompey (Chris Noth from HBO's Sex in the City) and so an alliance of convenience was born. Caesar now had his army; Pompey had political allies.
Keeping all the players straight was helped greatly by a "Caesar Family Tree" that TNT sent out with the press kit. Without it, you may have a difficult time following the players since the time line jumps in places. For example, we are introduced to Cornelia (Daniella Piazza), Caesar's first wife and later Calpurnia (Valeria Golino from Frida), his third. No mention is ever made of his second. Had I paid attention in my AP European History class, I may have been able to help you out here, but alas, I was too interested in Lisa instead of Latin.
The best acting was done by the late Richard Harris (Cromwell, Harry Potter) who played Sulla, the first dictator of Rome. Having been in Gladiator in 2000, Harris was familiar with the time period. But he's gone after the first hour and we're left with the aforementioned brooding stares of Sitto. Christopher Walken (Catch Me If You Can) is present throughout as a Roman Senator but I've seen him more dynamic in many other roles, including The Continental on Saturday Night Live.
The overall quality of this production is far better than many movies I saw on the big screen in the past year. Caesar is well worth the two evening commitment.
Caesar makes its World Premiere on TNT with Part One on Sunday, June 29, 2003, at 8pm (ET/PT) and Part Two on Monday, June 30, 2003, at 8pm (ET/PT).
Encores are as follows:
Part One, Sunday, June 29, 2003, at 10pm (ET/PT)
Part Two, Monday, June 30, 2003, at 10pm (ET/PT)
Part One, Sunday, June 29, 200s, at 12am (ET/PT)
Part Two, Monday, June 30, 2003, at 12am (ET/PT)
