An Intriguing Journey Through "Presumed Innocent"
Presumed Innocent revolves around a murder that proves to be an horrifying scenario that leads scandal in the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s office. For one of them become a defendant this investigative show delves into themes of betrayal, revenge, procedure, and enmity on the background of conflict of interest and pressure put on family relationships. The series mimics Scott Turow’s popular book as a story that depicts the rise of an attorney who is not only trying to prove his innocence, but is increasingly facing incriminating evidence of his guilt.
The show offers viewers complicated themes of justice and obsession. This gives it a very realistic outlook on law, depicting morality and the law as two sides of the same coin; and also the rigorous price the main character pays for justice. It is rather pessimistic and has glimpses into personal struggles of main characters, which adds depth to feelings during the show.
Jake Gyllenhaal acts quite well, realistically portraying dilemma of his character, growth of his despair. Ruth Negga, together with Gyllenhaal, does a good job in portraying a woman torn between her choices. The cast is also effective with Bill Camp, O-T Fagbenle, and Chase Infiniti with every actor playing their part in the complex webs of characters.
Director Greg Yaitanes and Anne Sewitsky do a great job in developing a sharp visual aesthetic and both managing the pacing to keep the viewers on the edge of their seats. Collectively their creation guarantees that each episode is well-planned study in tension with the characters’ arcs and all the narrative twists in their sights.
It also perfect for the atmospheric series and adds a great deal of tension and increased drama tones the emotional notes of the series. It enriches the show’s story, accentuating the crucial episodes with the sound score which is visually stunning.
The show’s cinematography gives the contrast of the Chicago legal services. The dramatic aspects of the horror are well presented in the courtroom scenes that are shot with great energy as per the intensity of the scenes but the performances capture the softer side of the characters in personal scenes.
The location style reflects evident reality depicting a prosecution office. In this case the set design goes into details and creates an authentic stage; they help the viewers be even more enveloped in the statewatching the series.
In this aspect while it is clear that the strength of the show is in the story line, there are smart us of special effects. They are used selectively to support the plot instead of dominating the thrilling plot line.
There is great editing which ensures that timing is properly adhered to in such a way that it will keep the audience’s attention. There are clear transitions from tense courtroom scenes to personal issues, with the story flows well with no disjoint.
The series moves at a very good pace keeping the suspense in mind as well as the revelation. The tension increases gradually which gives the audience enough time to follow the plot and the raw passion of the characters.
The use of words, phrases, and even accents of real legal proceedings makes the dialog both interesting and thought-provoking. It is used well for showing and telling wishes and needs of the character; their conflict and thus plot advancement are also precise.
Presumed Innocent is good in many aspects but sometimes it is rather clichéd. A few of the plot twists may be predictable to those familiar with the courtroom drama shows or those who have seen many in the past. Moreover, for the sake of plot density, it is sometimes hard to distinguish characters and their relationships to one another. It elicits an emotional response from them and takes them to a place where law and individual ethical standards meet. While some parts are totally foreseeable, the series makes an impressive impression for its great and powerful performance as well as for its passionately interesting plot that will interest the spectators, who like legal dramas.
