"Boss" Gives Complex, Exaggerated Look at Chicago Politics

Chicago has a long history of strong-willed mayors that have wielded their political power with impunity, using legally questionable means to implement their agendas. Anton Cermak, Richard J. Daley and his son, Richard M. Daley, are just some of the more prominent examples. So, when the Starz channel announced that it would produce "Boss", a show about a fictional Chicago mayor, critics and political junkies took notice. "Boss" stars Kelsey Grammer as Tom Kane, a mayor who has been in power for over 20 years. In the opening scene of the pilot episode, Kane discovers that he is suffering from an incurable neurological disorder that will eventually destroy his mental faculties. Determined not to lose his grip on power, Kane keeps the diagnosis a secret from everyone and focuses on making sure his preferred candidate gets elected state governor, even though the candidate shows that he has an agenda of his own. Kane's staff suspects something is wrong but keeps their suspicions to themselves either out of fear or respect. His estranged wife, Meredith (Connie Nielson) is trying to keep her reputation intact as her pet social cause comes under media scrutiny. The only person who might be able to help Tom is his daughter, Emma (Hannah Ware) but she is busy dealing with her own problems. Through it all, Sam Miller (Troy Garrity), an investigative reporter, is poking around, determined to uncover Kane's secrets no matter what it takes. Chicago's long history of corruption and dirty politics is referenced heavily throughout "Boss", even more so than in "Chicago Code". The show was filmed in Chicago and it frequently utilized the lesser-known parts of the city, which further adds to the show's tone. Much of the show hinges on the performance put on by Grammer, who is largely known for comedic roles but most people forget that he started out as a dramatic actor. Also, as his performance in this show proves, he still has what it takes to put on a compelling, dramatic performance, veering between subtlety and bombast with ease while staying perfectly in character. The rest of the main cast is just as good, since even the less prominent stars and some of the big players put on surprisingly complex performances. The script is clear and able to be understood at a casual glance but upon careful examination reveals foreshadowing and subtext that further enhances the viewing experience. This show benefits from repeat viewings, so it allows the viewers to discover narrative layers they may have missed the first time. There is no doubt that Chicago politics is a gold mine of potential plot lines. Indeed, the pilot makes references to real life political scandals in a way that suggests the screenwriters did some thorough research. At the same time, many details are exaggerated to the point of ridiculousness. Tom Kane is more ruthless and far more willing to resort to violence than any recent mayor. While some of his actions inserting his candidate into a gubernatorial race a few weeks before the primary, confiscating phones and recording devices from the aldermen may make for great dramatic moments, they break suspension of disbelief for anyone familiar with the city politics. The cast is good enough to give even some of the more ridiculous scenes a measure of credibility, but there is only so much they could do. In the end, the show's appeal may depend entirely on how much the viewers know about the real-life events and individuals that inspired it. But, for this reviewer, it was a stumbling block that the show couldn't quite overcome.