Having not been alive during the Simpson trial, I am being introduced to the facts and circumstances of the phenomenon through this show, and I must say that what I'm seeing so far is extremely fascinating. The show tells the story without seeming too much like an episode of Law and Order, and they do so by focusing on many characters and showing snippets of their personal lives as well as their role in the trial. This works wonders most of the time, from portraying Marcia Clark as an overworked but ambitious prosecutor to enlightening all aspects of Simpson's flaws. The only misstep in this is the obvious, money-grabbing, "tweet about me" move of referencing the Kardashians. It happens multiple times, with vital scenes taking place in Kim's bedroom, completely taking away from the importance of the scene as we are subjected to her dated posters and reminded constantly of her relation to Simpson's lawyer. I realize Robert Kardashian is a main character in the show and of great importance to the trial, but the references are obvious pandering and do not fit into the story at all. Another obvious flaw of the show is its camera work. Its huge, swooping mobility has no place in such a delicate narrative, and I sincerely hope that it will not stick around for the entire series (I'm not sure if every episode will have the same director, but I hope it won't for this very reason). The performances, as a whole, are fantastic. Gooding gives a knock- out performance as Simpson (however I feel the show should center around him more, as they are treating him like some pawn in the trial rather than its protagonist), and Paulson is the other standout as Clark. Schwimmer is also good, but I haven't quite decided how I feel about Travolta's performance. He looks distracting and hasn't had many showy scenes, but he could end up giving a great performance as the show goes on. The rest of the ensemble haven't had much time to prove themselves, but so far they've been superb. Overall, I look forward to continuing the show. Its writing is perfection, its performances are spot on, and it knows how to rack up drama while staying true to its characters and to reality.
13 Reviews
Excellent first chapter
BeatleNumber94 February 2016
Warning: Spoilers
As someone who was only an infant when the Famous O.J. Simpson trial was going on, it obviously didn't leave as big an impact on me as it did to people like my parents who watched it unfold before them. Nevertheless, I've always been fascinated at what a train wreck the whole trial truly was. I've read and watched numerous pieces on the trial, and find it funny that many people I've talked with focus on the fact that O.J. was declared "not guilty," when the entire timeline of the trial was a complete mess from beginning to end. Which is why the first episode surprised me by essentially showing that it looks like that's what the main focus will be for the whole series.
Before it gets going, the first episode shows us the infamous Rodney King footage, and the civil unrest that resulted from it. This was something that I liked was shown, as the racial tension in LA at the time played a role in how many people saw Simpson being treated during the trial. The first episode starts out, obviously, with the horrific murder scene of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman being discovered. It then shows us the various pieces of evidence investigators find at the scene; the bloody leather glove, blood trail leading O.J. Simpson's house, the place where the killer injured their left hand. It then shows us the investigators pinning Simpson as a key suspect, and proceeds to show us how unusual Simpson seems to be acting, and how the odds are stacked against him, without going overboard and showing Simpson committing the murders.
We also see prosecutor Marcia Clark, played by Sarah Paulson, attempting to get O.J. Simpson put on trial, by any means necessary. Interviewing witnesses and looking into Simpson's past domestic abuse with Nicole. Along with Robert Kardashian and Robert Shapiro preparing to defend O.J. for the trial, with many of their attempts to form a good defense backfiring like when O.J. fails a lie detector test.
The episode ended where I hoped it would end, and they handled it well; with police showing up to arrest Simpson, only for them, Shapiro, and Kardashian to find the white Bronco gone, where we end on a shot of it speeding down the highway. An ending that really makes me want to keep watching.
The episode never really shows one person more than the others, they all get ample screen time, and are never given more focus as part of the story than the others. It's not particularly biased in anyway, even on the side of the people defending Simpson. Kardashian, though portrayed as a little clueless, is portrayed as a concerned friend who really doesn't want to believe his long time friend committed such an atrocious crime. Even in scenes where Shapiro is clearly trying to talk Simpson into considering a plea deal, it's understandable because that's what Shapiro is best at; plea bargaining.
The characters were perfectly cast. David Schwimmer does surprisingly well as Robert Kardashian, as well as John Travolta, playing Robert Shapiro. Sarah Paulson is fantastic, as usual, as Marcia Clark. And Cuba Gooding Jr. is surprisingly better job portraying Simpson than I thought he would. One of the only complaints, and it is very small, was that although Cuba Gooding Jr. looks and acts like O.J. Simpson, I didn't find his voice that convincing. I don't know, I just thought it should have been a little deeper, but that's just a minor complaint.
One other thing I was a little disappointed with, but am taking with a grain of salt considering it's the first episode, is that we see all the mourning for Nicole by her friends and family, but Ron Goldman isn't given much spotlight. I would have liked to see his family being notified, or even a glimpse at his funeral, but again it's only the first episode and I'm sure they're going to show the turmoil his family went through during the trial as the show continues.
Overall this was an excellent first chapter to a story most of us already know the details to. All the actors do a phenomenal job portraying the real-life person they're assigned, and the pacing is handled very well, with it moving to different details in the case, perfectly. If your interested in seeing what looks like is going to be a fair retelling of one of the most infamous trials in history, give it a watch.
Before it gets going, the first episode shows us the infamous Rodney King footage, and the civil unrest that resulted from it. This was something that I liked was shown, as the racial tension in LA at the time played a role in how many people saw Simpson being treated during the trial. The first episode starts out, obviously, with the horrific murder scene of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman being discovered. It then shows us the various pieces of evidence investigators find at the scene; the bloody leather glove, blood trail leading O.J. Simpson's house, the place where the killer injured their left hand. It then shows us the investigators pinning Simpson as a key suspect, and proceeds to show us how unusual Simpson seems to be acting, and how the odds are stacked against him, without going overboard and showing Simpson committing the murders.
We also see prosecutor Marcia Clark, played by Sarah Paulson, attempting to get O.J. Simpson put on trial, by any means necessary. Interviewing witnesses and looking into Simpson's past domestic abuse with Nicole. Along with Robert Kardashian and Robert Shapiro preparing to defend O.J. for the trial, with many of their attempts to form a good defense backfiring like when O.J. fails a lie detector test.
The episode ended where I hoped it would end, and they handled it well; with police showing up to arrest Simpson, only for them, Shapiro, and Kardashian to find the white Bronco gone, where we end on a shot of it speeding down the highway. An ending that really makes me want to keep watching.
The episode never really shows one person more than the others, they all get ample screen time, and are never given more focus as part of the story than the others. It's not particularly biased in anyway, even on the side of the people defending Simpson. Kardashian, though portrayed as a little clueless, is portrayed as a concerned friend who really doesn't want to believe his long time friend committed such an atrocious crime. Even in scenes where Shapiro is clearly trying to talk Simpson into considering a plea deal, it's understandable because that's what Shapiro is best at; plea bargaining.
The characters were perfectly cast. David Schwimmer does surprisingly well as Robert Kardashian, as well as John Travolta, playing Robert Shapiro. Sarah Paulson is fantastic, as usual, as Marcia Clark. And Cuba Gooding Jr. is surprisingly better job portraying Simpson than I thought he would. One of the only complaints, and it is very small, was that although Cuba Gooding Jr. looks and acts like O.J. Simpson, I didn't find his voice that convincing. I don't know, I just thought it should have been a little deeper, but that's just a minor complaint.
One other thing I was a little disappointed with, but am taking with a grain of salt considering it's the first episode, is that we see all the mourning for Nicole by her friends and family, but Ron Goldman isn't given much spotlight. I would have liked to see his family being notified, or even a glimpse at his funeral, but again it's only the first episode and I'm sure they're going to show the turmoil his family went through during the trial as the show continues.
Overall this was an excellent first chapter to a story most of us already know the details to. All the actors do a phenomenal job portraying the real-life person they're assigned, and the pacing is handled very well, with it moving to different details in the case, perfectly. If your interested in seeing what looks like is going to be a fair retelling of one of the most infamous trials in history, give it a watch.
The Discovery and First Mistakes
Hitchcoc18 February 2017
This first installment of this series works very well. We are brought to the site of the bodies of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. They have been brutally murdered, Nicole nearly decapitated. It's one of those things where having watched too many crime shows and knowing already how this all ends, I'm still thinking, "Don't screw up the evidence." O.J. is contacted and returns home. He is an immediate suspect, of course, because of the responses he made when contacted. Simpson immediately gets paranoid and seems guilty as sin. He is immediately surrounded by doctors and lawyers and when the police demand that he turn himself in, he starts acting crazy. He has a gun and starts threatening to kill himself. Meanwhile, the forces on the other side are gathering a team. The longer it takes to get him arrested, the more embarrassing for law enforcement. By the way, John Travolta as Shapiro looks so weird. It's like they rebuilt his head. Is that really him as is?
Excellent!
joshuastein5 February 2016
This show is amazing, the best new TV shows of 2016 and one of the best True Crime Dramas around. Although the event may have taken place 21 years ago, it still seems relevant with current issues of race, police brutality, and discrimination this show excels in its writing. The cast is amazing, by far Sarah Paulson (Marcia Clark) and Courtney B Vance (Johnie Cochran) are the best showing true emotion and really shining. This show is a definite must Watch that I 100% recommend. I will not be surprised when I see this show win awards. If you like shows like Fargo or Making a Murder you will definitely like this. American Crime Story: The People V. O.J. Simpson has received many great reviews from critics, and will continue to do so.
enticing and very promising
rick-jatti4 February 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I've always been fascinated by the story of OJ Simpson, and this show has brought the story to life in a very interesting story that incorporates everything that the trial encompassed in the very first episode. It shows the reluctance of cops to bring in celebrities, it has characters fighting to achieve true equality between black and white, and it gives us a deep look into the mind of a criminal who was not entirely a bad person, which is a very complex and interesting type of character.
I will say, though, that Travolta was a bit of a let down. He's a great actor, we all know that, but he's usually good at playing those slow-talking characters that sound kind of dumb, but aren't necessarily unintelligent, like Vincent Vega. Now he's pretty big and looks kind of intimidating, but his voice and his acting are relatively the same, and when he tries to be intimidating, it doesn't work because he doesn't move a single muscle in his face.
Schwimmer was a pleasant surprise. He didn't stand out until the end of the episode but its clear that taking all of those years without doing any significant works actually payed off.
I never thought I'd say it, but Cuba Gooding Jr. is actually quite good, and while the voice isn't perfect, does it really need to be? I guess it doesn't bother me as much because I'm one of those few people that wasn't bothered by Christian Bale's Batman voice.
I will say, though, that Travolta was a bit of a let down. He's a great actor, we all know that, but he's usually good at playing those slow-talking characters that sound kind of dumb, but aren't necessarily unintelligent, like Vincent Vega. Now he's pretty big and looks kind of intimidating, but his voice and his acting are relatively the same, and when he tries to be intimidating, it doesn't work because he doesn't move a single muscle in his face.
Schwimmer was a pleasant surprise. He didn't stand out until the end of the episode but its clear that taking all of those years without doing any significant works actually payed off.
I never thought I'd say it, but Cuba Gooding Jr. is actually quite good, and while the voice isn't perfect, does it really need to be? I guess it doesn't bother me as much because I'm one of those few people that wasn't bothered by Christian Bale's Batman voice.
Thrilling, tense
jamariana23 July 2017
We are living in the golden age of TV. "The People vs. O.J. Simpson", "Fargo", and "How to Get Away With Murder" (still haven't seen the third season yet, sorry) are only the tip of the iceberg. It may not be the golden age for situation comedies - I will never stop maintaining that the '90s was that genre's golden age due to shows like "Seinfeld" and "Friends" - but it certainly is prime time for crime and drama series.
This was an AMAZING first episode. Not only for the season, but for the entire show as a whole. I'm not fully thrilled that Cuba Gooding Jr. is The Juice, Selma Blair is Kris Jenner, or that Ross from "Friends" is Robert Kardashian, but, even so, everyone in this episode did a tremendous job acting-wise, especially Sarah Paulson. Well worth watching, just wish I'd started it sooner.
This was an AMAZING first episode. Not only for the season, but for the entire show as a whole. I'm not fully thrilled that Cuba Gooding Jr. is The Juice, Selma Blair is Kris Jenner, or that Ross from "Friends" is Robert Kardashian, but, even so, everyone in this episode did a tremendous job acting-wise, especially Sarah Paulson. Well worth watching, just wish I'd started it sooner.
So Far, So Good
Samuel-Shovel9 May 2017
I've heard a lot of praise heaped on this series and finally decided to give it a look. First episode definitely got me interested. All the acting is great, the script, the cinematography, everything is fantastic. It's nice to see Travolta in a role where he actually looks like he cares about acting well. This was a nice establishing episode.
One issue I have though is that it does occasionally spell it out for the audience a little too much. One of my pet peeves is a show/movie that treats its audiences like imbeciles and has to hold the viewer's hand throughout. Show us what is happening, don't blatantly tell us. But these instances are few and far between. Other than that, great first episode.
One issue I have though is that it does occasionally spell it out for the audience a little too much. One of my pet peeves is a show/movie that treats its audiences like imbeciles and has to hold the viewer's hand throughout. Show us what is happening, don't blatantly tell us. But these instances are few and far between. Other than that, great first episode.
Do Not Kill Your Darlings Like A Potato!..
hamidullahgenc22 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
The show has started with good potential.
First of all, so many good actors are in the list here: Cuba Gooding Jr., Sarah Paulson, David Schwimmer, John Travolta, Courtney B. Vance, Sterling K. Brown and such...
We see Mr. Cuba to act like he's been O.J. for years. And Mr. Simpson is definitely hiding a lot of things. In fact, it is revealing from the start that he is guilty. And this is a quality in a show that takes the "big surprise" element away but gives plot twits so carefully and well- planned that you almost get amazed by it on every episode. And I strongly see this in the show. A pig "plus" here.
We see Sarah Paulson well-fit in her role with her complicated kind of acting, and Ms. Clark in charge like no one we've ever seen for a long time. And she is rooting!
We see David Schwimmer back in business after a long time, and through Mr. Kardashian he gives an example of a warm friendship... Very touching... We certainly are expecting Courtney B. Vance and Sterling K. Brown to play important roles in the show. They are warming up well.
So, Jon Travolta... He is a legend back in the game!.. He develops a character on the show and I hope he shakes us to the ground. (I am not very pleased by his efforts on this episode. Mr. Travolta; please... for the love of...)
Let's take a look at a claim here. Some says referring "money grabbing Kardashians" in the show was a wrong move... But I see it as a way to deepen the plot as well as make the viewers feel that the regular-day hardships and traumas caused by the "celebrities" are very real and close... So, no need to take off of a wrong angle there. This is a plus too.
I see, the only thing to be a flaw is that the pilot tends to fasten up for no reason although it keeps well just as it plays safe and resumes normal speed.
E.g. one minute Mr. Hodgman and Ms. Clark glare at each other, and the second they are "bff"s. Nope. Not good. A "minus" there.
At the end, I give the pilot a "8.8" and I hope it gets better. (Hi to you, Jordana Brewster!..)
Here, 178th Verse of the 2th Chapter in the Gracious Koran sheds some light on the question:
"O ye who believe! Prescribed for you is retaliation, in the matter of the murdered; freeman for freeman, slave for slave, female for female. But if aught is pardoned a man by his brother, then there should be a suitable follow-up and payment to him with good conduct. That is a lightening granted you by your Lord, and a mercy. And He who transgresseth after this will have a painful doom.
First of all, so many good actors are in the list here: Cuba Gooding Jr., Sarah Paulson, David Schwimmer, John Travolta, Courtney B. Vance, Sterling K. Brown and such...
We see Mr. Cuba to act like he's been O.J. for years. And Mr. Simpson is definitely hiding a lot of things. In fact, it is revealing from the start that he is guilty. And this is a quality in a show that takes the "big surprise" element away but gives plot twits so carefully and well- planned that you almost get amazed by it on every episode. And I strongly see this in the show. A pig "plus" here.
We see Sarah Paulson well-fit in her role with her complicated kind of acting, and Ms. Clark in charge like no one we've ever seen for a long time. And she is rooting!
We see David Schwimmer back in business after a long time, and through Mr. Kardashian he gives an example of a warm friendship... Very touching... We certainly are expecting Courtney B. Vance and Sterling K. Brown to play important roles in the show. They are warming up well.
So, Jon Travolta... He is a legend back in the game!.. He develops a character on the show and I hope he shakes us to the ground. (I am not very pleased by his efforts on this episode. Mr. Travolta; please... for the love of...)
Let's take a look at a claim here. Some says referring "money grabbing Kardashians" in the show was a wrong move... But I see it as a way to deepen the plot as well as make the viewers feel that the regular-day hardships and traumas caused by the "celebrities" are very real and close... So, no need to take off of a wrong angle there. This is a plus too.
I see, the only thing to be a flaw is that the pilot tends to fasten up for no reason although it keeps well just as it plays safe and resumes normal speed.
E.g. one minute Mr. Hodgman and Ms. Clark glare at each other, and the second they are "bff"s. Nope. Not good. A "minus" there.
At the end, I give the pilot a "8.8" and I hope it gets better. (Hi to you, Jordana Brewster!..)
Here, 178th Verse of the 2th Chapter in the Gracious Koran sheds some light on the question:
"O ye who believe! Prescribed for you is retaliation, in the matter of the murdered; freeman for freeman, slave for slave, female for female. But if aught is pardoned a man by his brother, then there should be a suitable follow-up and payment to him with good conduct. That is a lightening granted you by your Lord, and a mercy. And He who transgresseth after this will have a painful doom.
Great start
Lythas_8516 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Dude, david schwimmer and travolta.. alongside gooding jr
great stuff!
Very dynamic, showing how it all started and i have got to admit.. I was very young and i remember vaguely the trial buit i was more worried about having fun with my Playstation..
like another reviewer said, they never focus entirely on one character.. even OJ for that matter.. sometimes ,it seemed courtney B vance was the lead since he was featured in so many scenes by himself talking
Travolta with his fake eyebrows was funny tho.. well,. Gotta say it was so entertaining that this episode of 1 hour was easy to watch......
Very dynamic, showing how it all started and i have got to admit.. I was very young and i remember vaguely the trial buit i was more worried about having fun with my Playstation..
like another reviewer said, they never focus entirely on one character.. even OJ for that matter.. sometimes ,it seemed courtney B vance was the lead since he was featured in so many scenes by himself talking
Travolta with his fake eyebrows was funny tho.. well,. Gotta say it was so entertaining that this episode of 1 hour was easy to watch......
Well, let's do this . . .
Mr-Fusion14 March 2017
I have to admit, I was more than wary of "American Crime Story" (not altogether sure I'm ready to relive the circus that was the O.J. trial), but this is a pretty solid opener with a lot of promise. It's certainly as high-profile as they come (just like the real thing was) what with every character being a name actor; tends to feel like stargazing after a while. But despite some melodramatic camera-work and David Schwimmer, this is engrossing stuff.
Enough to keep going, with some moderate hopes.
7/10
Enough to keep going, with some moderate hopes.
7/10
Poor casting
eric-ludwig78-852-47535231 October 2018
The story itself is interesting but could the producers not find anyone better than David Schwimmer?! He even got an Emmy nomination for that? David Schwimmer is always showing all along the episodes exactly the same face: the one of a sad dog. Simply annoying. John Travolta as well shows all the time the same unexpressive face. Not convincing at all.
Good Start to the Series
Michael_Elliott15 February 2016
The People vs. O.J. Simpson: From the Ashes of Tragedy (2016)
O.J. Simpson (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) is in his Chicago hotel when he receives a phone call from the L.A. police telling him that his former wife has died. Soon Simpson realizes that he's a prime suspect so he hires Robert Shapiro (John Travolta) to defend him while Marcia Clark (Sarah Paulson) builds her case.
I've seen so many documentaries on the O.J. Simpson case that I almost feel like an expert in regards to the subject. I really wasn't sure what to expect from this television series but it actually gets off to a very fast and entertaining spot. The film manages to hit on the biggest moments of the early stage including the murder, O.J.'s reaction and of course the early evidence that leads to the now infamous Bronco chase.
I will comment more on the performances after the series was over but I will say that some of the name-dropping is a tad bit annoying. With that said, even though most people are going to be familiar with the case, this episode does a very good job at building up some tension and there's a brilliantly done sequence with O.J. walking into his ex-wife's funeral.
Episode: A-
O.J. Simpson (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) is in his Chicago hotel when he receives a phone call from the L.A. police telling him that his former wife has died. Soon Simpson realizes that he's a prime suspect so he hires Robert Shapiro (John Travolta) to defend him while Marcia Clark (Sarah Paulson) builds her case.
I've seen so many documentaries on the O.J. Simpson case that I almost feel like an expert in regards to the subject. I really wasn't sure what to expect from this television series but it actually gets off to a very fast and entertaining spot. The film manages to hit on the biggest moments of the early stage including the murder, O.J.'s reaction and of course the early evidence that leads to the now infamous Bronco chase.
I will comment more on the performances after the series was over but I will say that some of the name-dropping is a tad bit annoying. With that said, even though most people are going to be familiar with the case, this episode does a very good job at building up some tension and there's a brilliantly done sequence with O.J. walking into his ex-wife's funeral.
Episode: A-
Very American style crime
phuketboy14 February 2018
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