Fluentiama
Perfect cast and a good story
CrawlerChunky
In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.
TaryBiggBall
It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.
Hayden Kane
There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes
cyntsik
I love this series!! The episodes keep my full attention and I can't wait to get to the next one. The Medici family has always been of interest to me, so I'm enjoying this immensely. A great cast too!!
66289
This drama excellently explores the lives of the Medici and rival Tuscan factions, with beautiful scenery and excellent attention-to-detail. Although sometimes Dustin Hoffman's American accent occasionally pokes through the narrative and can be distracting, all actors are well-chosen and portray their characters with deep emotion and enthusiasm.The integration of flashbacks and present-day events can sometimes be confusing, but the drama does expertly utilise the history of its period immensely well, and cleverly retains most historical accuracy aside for a few minor aspects (which can obviously be expected in a period drama, and are excusable).Some elements of the drama do hold a 'cheesy' feeling, such as a "hooded villain" pursuing the Medici from the beginning and Cosimo's child appearing to be as old as he is (Cosimo does not appear 40). Also, some streetlights are visible and other incidents of this kind do occur, but these are not too noticeable and in some strange way give some character and humour to the drama, in my opinion.What is particularly striking is the level of architectural detail, such as the Duomo of Santa Maria del Fiore and clever layering of present-day filming of Florence with the contemporary city. Much of the cinematography is beautiful and the static camera in many shots is excellent at capturing many suspenseful moments.Overall, 'Medici' presents a largely accurate and breathtakingly beautiful account of the lives of the Medici, accurately encapsulating their piety and patronage in a historical context. It provides a particularly insightful account of contemporary themes such as paternal dominance and the 'marriage-market', the emotional connotations of which are not fully explored in other dramas of its kind. Whilst the its dramatic license does extend far beyond any real evidence of the period, the plot developments are insightful and quirky, leaving the drama feeling fresh and invigorated by some impressive casting and decent screenplay.A must-watch for all those interested in the period.
Marienelle D'Souza
It's not an easy task to weave a periodic political drama, this show does it brilliantly!Top credits to Frank Spotnitz & director Sergio Mimica - Gezzan for curating, conceptualizing and executing a beautiful, thrilling political saga with great Italian finesse.This show perfectly evokes the pure emotions for deeply flawed protagonists. Helmed by the underrated but undoubted talent of Richard Madden with the support of the great Dustin Hoffman along with notable talents like Annabel Scholey & Stuart Martin. This show is testament to a time where politics was a completely different and medieval game. In a time where the church was most revered and Italy was at the peak of it's European domination on all forms.The show creates intrigue and fascination for a Florentine culture famous for its arts and architecture, that was regarded as one of the best in the world and yet was subject to a turbulent political blood bath. The power struggle that recognized not only the dying age nobles but also the emergence of those savvy ruthless businessmen who rose to wealth on their own accord. True to the catchphrase, this show IS the 'Art of Power'It would be unfair to mention the deeply infused power of the music of Paolo Bunovino. The soundtrack is right on the money!Thank you Netflix, this show deserves more than a season 2 renewal. After that really unexpected finale I would love to see the direction and the written graph the characters & the story line takes.Whether you are lover of periodic dramas or not, it's a great show to watch!!!
robertguttman
It seems to be fashionable nowadays to depict previous eras as drab and grungy. In this instance the milieu in question is Renaissance Italy. Upon viewing this series, one cannot help but wonder if the producers ever bothered to do any research whatsoever. Even the most superficial examination of 15th Century Italian art would reveal that Italians of that era were anything but drab, dirty and unkept, especially those possessed of any degree of wealth and power. Renaissance Italy was literally one of the most colorful periods of European history. Yet all the characters in "Medici" dress in drab garments of black, brown or dark blue, and are usually depicted as scraggly and unkempt, as if they did not have valets to make sure they were well turned out. Even Cardinals in the Vatican are depicted dressed in black, and even the Vatican itself is depicted as drab and colorless. To make matters worse, the series was filmed using a process that subdues all the colors, as if the producers deliberately intended to render 15th Century Florence even more drab.In that respect one might wish to contrast this series with the 1949 film "Prince of Foxes", which was set in roughly the same locale and era. While a Hollywood production, "Prince of Foxes" was actually filmed in Italy with the assistance of Italian film makers. Even though it was filmed in black-and-white, the costumes and settings in "Prince of Foxes" provide a far more authentic depiction of just how colorful Renaissance Italy actually was.