‘A Man in Full’ Review: Grand ambitions, but flawed execution

The latest Netflix series, A Man in Full, tells the story of Charlie Croker’s downfall, played by Jeff Daniels, Croker is a wealthy, tough businessman from Atlanta, reminiscent of Donald Trump. Despite commendable acting and a talented cast, the series falls short of the lofty expectations.

The series tries to recreate the atmosphere and feel of the successful HBO hit Succession, but it’s not even in the same ballpark and fails to create the same impact. A stumbling block is the lack of credibility in Croker’s character. Despite his wealth, he doesn’t seem competent in business, which detracts from the overall credibility of the story.

While the series touches on important themes such as race, power, and money, it is sometimes unclear why the characters act as they do. Depth is lacking in certain scenes, leaving the viewer wondering what the creators are trying to convey.

The series is laden with exaggerated sex scenes that seem to contribute little, as there’s scant time to develop certain relationships. Instead, creators depict characters simply sharing a bed to denote intimacy. Moreover, conflicts remain unclear, and are inadequately explained throughout.

A Man in Full lacks the sharpness and power of Tom Wolfe’s original book. Although the cast does their best, they are limited by the weak and disjointed story. It’s a missed opportunity, especially considering the impressive names involved, such as Diane Lane, Tom Pelphrey, Lucy Liu, and Sarah Jones.

Ultimately, ‘A Man in Full’ feels rushed and incomplete.

It’s unfortunate that the series is limited to just six episodes, as with more time, the story could have developed better. The setting is beautiful and the acting performances are commendable, but ultimately, A Man in Full feels rushed and incomplete.

Netflix had the potential to strike gold with this series, possibly offering a strong rival to Succession. However, it ultimately falls short, ending up as nothing more than a mediocre show, suitable for a casual night of binge-watching. Maybe it’s better to crack open Wolfe’s book instead.

A Man in Full is now streaming worldwide on Netflix.

This article has been written in partnership with The Nerd Shepherd.

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