Too much of everything

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

I finally got to this HBO film series ten years after the initial release, and I must say, it does live up to its reputation as a great film. Attention to detail was second to none; it really looks like they went back in time and made this film! Most, it not all of it was filmed in existencing light, meaning no other lighting sources i.e.: movie lights were used.However, I did find myself wanting more. It's only seven episodes but, being supposedly based on David McCullough's book, could've been twice that! I also had to keep reminding myself that it's about John Adams and NOT the Revolutionary War, as you see none of it. And many of the supporting characters like, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington just disappear without much explination. And there is some strange 'creative licensing' taken. The biggest example has to do with John Adams' children who they make about five years older than they would've actually been. As there isn't very much in the way of films surrounding colonial times, this is a real welcome; and even with all its flaws, a good history lesson for everyone.

*Spoiler/plot- John Adams, 2008. Follows the work and exploits of one of the most influential members of the signers of US declaration of Independence and Continent Congress. He later became our second President.*Special Stars- Paul Giamnti, Laura Linney.*Theme- Getting to the truth of any movement is always worth while.*Trivia/location/goofs- TV HBO mini-series. One of their best. Shot on U.S. east coast cities that had colonial cityscapes.*Emotion- An extremely well cast, acted, and produced historic film series from Americans about USA history. A 'must have' classic adventure series.*Based On- The life of John Adams of Boston.

Very gripping and great acting.Some historical inaccuracies (pointed out to me by my son, but I wouldn't have known otherwise), I wondered why.Visually striking and often thought provoking.Certainly a must for students of American history.Possibly not as good as the novel, but then thats a tall order.Subtitles help when viewing for those unfamiliar with the details of names and history of those times.A must watch for all Americans who will grow to admire the founding fathers and have a perspective on the birth of a nation.

I agonised about what star rating to give "John Adams".I cannot comment on the historic authenticity. However, the sets, sound, makeup, CGI, storyline and dialogue are outstanding. All the actors are excellent and it's invidious to single any one out. But Giamatti and Linney stand out with incredible, intimate and emotional performances.So why the "agonising"? Quite simply, although the cinematography and lighting are technically perfect, someone somewhere - presumably the director in consultation with the producers - thought that a hand-held camera and the odd tilted horizon would add something to the story.Wrong, wrong, wrong.There are two valid excuses for a steadycam shot: if it's physically impossible to shoot it with a crane, and to give the impression of a grabbed shot in, say, a war zone.Unfortunately, too many otherwise first class directors have followed a craze that emerged a few years back, and appear to think that unsteady shots add to the experience. They don't: all they do is make you think about the mechanics of the filming and look for the exit. And tilting the camera for no good reason is just plain effete.So: eight out of ten. A shame, because without the trendy camera-work I would give John Adams ten.