bookish_smorgasbord's review

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4.0

Solid performances from an all-star cast and perfectly accentuated by audio enhancements (sound effects that immerse you within this 1950s drama). Centered around the filming of "Salt of the Earth" (1954) in New Mexico and the FBI investigation into its creation. At the beginning, FBI Special Agent Jack Bergin (Jon Hamm) says: "The Big Lie. That their way is better. That communism is better than democracy." As the drama unfolds, it takes on more nuanced hues (for some characters) amidst the characters emotionally complicated lives. Seven episodes that average a half hour in length.

jrholden's review

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adventurous dark informative mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

jacobjonk's review

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3.0

Would work better as visual media there is a lot of audio cues that are important to know what's happening. I also think it would have been more impactful if I knew that it was based on a real movie which I didn't until I googled it after I finished. All the acting was good and the plot is not bad.

veryperi22's review

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3.0

Would it have been the same without Jon Hamm and Kate Mara? Nah.

bubblegumfactory's review

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2.0

the premises and starting was really fun but then it kept dragging on and the audio production felt very wonky (clearly this was a high budget production with the kind of people they got to perform). the mixing made certain parts vvv hard to hear. not super fun.

tinman2's review

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3.5

I listened to this because Jon Hamm was doing part of the narration. He is the only reason I finished it. I could listen to him read a phone book.
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