Basic Film Information

• Release date: March 16, 2008
• Director: Tom Hooper
• Producer: HBO Films, High Noon Productions, Playtone, Mid Atlantic Films
• Actors: Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney, Stephen Dillane, David Morse, Tom Wilkinson, Danny Huston, Rufus Sewell, Justin Theroux, Guy Henry

Synopsis

John Adams (2008) displays the story of John Adams’ political and personal life, as well as telling the story of the foundation of early American government. John Adams is familiar to many modern Americans, but few knew details about his life. The miniseries vividly depicts Adams’ personality and career. The film is based on the book by the same title by David McCullough.

Contemporary Reviews

• Slate Magazine criticizes the academic-feel of the film. However, the reviewer admired the Adams’ children Steven Hinkle, Madeline Taylor, Michael Hall D’Addario, and Thomas Langston) and Benjamin Franklin’s (Tom Wilkinson) performance.
• The Washington Post praised the miniseries as “entertainment unmistakably relevant in its evocation of a tumultuous era not entirely unlike our own, and a great moment for a medium that is itself in the throes of revolution.” The reviewer was particularly impressed by Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney’s performances.

Background and Interesting Facts 

• In George Washington’s inauguration scene, all extras’ teeth were painted with fast-drying saliva-proof “gunk” paint. Working class individuals were given proportionally worse teeth than upper class characters.
• When author David McCullough saw John Adams (Paul Giamatti) out-of-character for the first time, he did not recognize Giamatti as John Adams.
• The sex scene when John Adams (Paul Giamatti) and Abigail Adams (Laura Linney)  were reunited in Paris was unscripted. The script only called the characters to kiss; however, Giamatti and Linney discussed the scene in advance and felt the characters would go farther in that situation.

Critical Analysis 

While learning contextual background information on the American Revolution and early American government, viewers follow the life story of John Adams. As the miniseries’ characters sculpt and develop how the United States government will function, viewers learn a valuable civics lesson on what it means to be an American citizen and a successful president.

The first episode follows the rising tensions in Boston, Massachusetts between 1770 and 1774. John Adams, his second cousin Samuel Adams, and all citizens of Boston are forced to choose between justice and tyranny. With an increased British military presence in the city, Bostonian colonists are on edge. When citizens were mocking British infantry on March 5, 1770, angry boiled over into a bloody fight leaving five colonists dead. Coined the Boston Massacre, citizens assumed a fair trial was nearly impossible. John Adams, acting as a model citizen to both colonists and the British, worked hard as an attorney to uphold citizens’ right to a fair trial. By protecting his clients, he gains respect from both colonial and British leadership.

Between 1774 and 1776, the second episode displays Adams’ struggle in the Second Constitutional Congress to persuade other colonies to declare independence. However, the congress is highly dysfunctional and is in a frequent state of deadlock. Adams is frustrated by others’ lack of willingness to declare independence and insults many. A particularly harsh argument with John Dickinson nearly losses Adams’ all of his supporters. After Benjamin Franklin mentors him in diplomacy tactics, Adams grows as an individual and learns to respect others’ differing opinions while still accomplishing his goals. By the episode’s conclusion, John Adams learns to form alliances with others and helps declare independence.

As the Revolutionary War progresses between 1777 and 1781, John Adams struggles as a diplomat while trying to earn allies in France and the Netherlands. Adams struggles in Paris, as he does not understand nor speak French, socialize well with the French elite, and lacks patience for diplomacy. Adams displays that learning to accept failure is a critical element of being a successful leader. Franklin, beloved by the French, has Adams removed to protect the French-American alliance. By accepting his defeat, Adams moves to the Netherlands in order to gain eventual success.

The fourth episode, ranging between 1781 and 1789, shows Adams continued struggle acting as a diplomat in London. The episode displays the early American electoral process. The film explains to viewers the electoral college process. Adams is quick to criticize the electoral process, in his bitterness of losing the first presidential election to George Washington. His wife, Abigail Adams, convinces him to take the position. Adams realizes the necessity in sometimes accepting the system in order to act as a strong leader.

The fifth episode highlighting the Washington later presidency, covering the time between 1788 and 1797. The episode displays Adams’ frustration while feeling useless in the Senate. Adams remained highly focused on naming precedents for new political offices. However, as he wants to “royalize” position names, the majority of Americans citizens mock him for acting to British. Adams is forced to realize that Americans continue to place high reverence in their leaders, while still separating themselves from monarchy.

From 1798 to 1808, the sixth episode displays the struggles of Adams’ presidency. Though Adams attempts to take neutral positions on tense topics, viewers observe that leaders are valued for their decisiveness, not amicability. Both Adams and viewers observe the beginning of polarizing political parties beginning with Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. Even though Adams saw partial success when he prevented war with France, his reputation was permanently ruined by the failed Aliens and Sedition Act and his failure to be reelected. Adams had a much higher potential for a successful presidency, if he had acted decisively.

The final episode of the miniseries, displaying Adams’ retirement from 1803 until his death in 1826. The episode portrays the death of many of Adams’ family members, his correspondence with Jefferson, and his eventual death at age 90. Adams displays that a strong leader and good citizen must forgive and reconnect with former enemies. By looking past his deep, historic divides with Jefferson, Adams was able to restore old relationships.

The John Adams miniseries went beyond portraying the life of the title character. As the episodes displayed how the United States was founded, viewers observe what traits make John Adams an ideal American citizen and leader, including upholding justice, respecting others’ differences, accepting failure, the necessity to accept the system, the requirement to act decisively, and the ability to forgive former enemies.

Bibliography 

HBO Films. John Adams Poster. Advertisement. HBO Films. 2008. Web.

IMDb. John Adams (2008). 2016. Web Article. 01 December 2016.

Patterson, Troy. “Founding-Father TV: In John Adams, Benjamin Franklin steals the show.” Review of John Adams, directed by Tom Hooper, Slate Magazine, 14 March 2008.

Shales, Tom. “‘John Adams,’ Second To None.” Review of John Adams, directed by Tom Hooper, The Washington Post, 15 March 2008.