You’re One Microscopic Cog in His Catastrophic Plans; Designed and Directed by His Red Right Hand – Peaky Blinders
Peaky Blinders
One thing true about the English – they know how to make an engaging TV series. Be it Black Mirror, The Crown or Sherlock – the Brits indeed have the formula, to keep the viewers coming back for more, perfected. And, Steven Knight’s Peaky Blinders is no different. First aired in 2013, it was two years later that I would start watching the crime drama series, after hearing heaps of praises thrown at it by my fellow critics and friends. Now, I’m a fan too.
For a midweek BBC Two television show, Peaky Blinders has a cast list more likely to be found on a film poster. Starring Cillian Murphy as gang leader Tommy Shelby, Murphy arguably gives the defining performance of his career to date. Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, Joe Cole and Sophie Rundle make up the rest of the Blinders family with other big names like Sam Neill, Tom Hardy, Noah Taylor, Paddy Considine, Aidan Gillen and Adrien Brody etc. in supporting roles. [This marks the fourth time that Cillian Murphy and Tom Hardy have been in the same production. They’ve also appeared in Christopher Nolan‘s Inception and The Dark Knight Rises and Dunkirk together.]
The show is so entertaining that it has collected an abundant fan following with many Hollywood greats being a fan of the show. Among them are acclaimed directors Steven Spielberg and Michael Mann, actors Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, enigmatic musician David Bowie, and, an unlikely fan in the form of rapper Snoop Dogg.
The Real Peaky Blinders – Harry Fowler, Ernest Bayles, Stephen McHickie & Thomas Gilbert
Peaky Blinders is loosely based on a real criminal gang known as the Peaky Blinders, who rose to prominence in Birmingham during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Said to be named after the practice of stitching razor blades into trademark flat caps (which they would then use to slash the foreheads of their victims, thus blinding them with blood), the TV show’s plot interweaves real-life characters with fictionalised elements. Stylish yet dark, Peaky Blinders is set in the back streets of Birmingham after the First World War and told of the rise to power of Tommy Shelby and his criminal gang of Peaky Blinders. In 2014, Netflix had acquired exclusive US distribution rights for the series.
The first three seasons of Peaky Blinders was universally acclaimed by critics and fans alike with the fourth season airing in November 2017. After Tommy’s apparent betrayal at the end of the third season, the first episode of the fourth season sees the Shelby family being walked towards the gallows for execution. But, in his usual style, Tommy Shelby saves his family from the hangman’s noose by duly obtaining official pardons for his family, even earning himself a knighthood in the process.
Decorated with an OBE, Tommy Shelby lives a life of ‘sex, freedom and whisky sours’ until one day he and his family receive Christmas cards with a “black hand” – a death threat from the New York mafia, led by a vengeful Luca Changretta (Adrien Brody), whose father was murdered by the Blinders in the previous season. This season, the vendetta will be conducted in gentlemen’s fashion, with gentlemen’s rules.
Fresh And Menacing Villains In Peaky Blinders Season 4
Consisting of only 6 episodes per season, Peaky Blinders sets up the plot right from the first episode. But, this time, it was the second episode which left the viewers in awe. Aidan Gillen dons his bad guy persona in style (he portrayed the wily and deceitful Petyr ‘Littlefinger’ Baelish in Game of Thrones) as Aberama Gold, a ruthless Romany killer-for-hire with a wide-brimmed hat, a cocky gait and something of a fearsome reputation.
The stand-off between Gold and Tommy Shelby over Charlie’s yard was a classic scene with quick-thinking Shelby manoeuvre which showcased both the characters’ sly and artful ways. Though, it wasn’t Gillen’s performance which had us talking or even Tommy’s win against Gold – it was Adrien Brody’s Luca Changretta that stole the show. At the end of the episode, Luca Changretta has a stand-off with Tommy, and it is savvy, to say the least as he really puts Tommy Shelby in his place.
Brody’s performance as the New York don reminded the audience of Marlon Brando’s Vito Corleone in The Godfather, his chilling portrayal and Brando-esque delivery of lines making him an instant hit with the fans, with some calling him the best villain of the entire series. Though Adrien Brody has only had about 8 minutes of screen time, he’s already more intimidating than anything we’ve seen before. I have to admit I wasn’t too thrilled about Brody being cast as the primary antagonist of season 4, but, after witnessing the bone-chilling scene at the end of the second episode, I stand corrected. This is what a villain should be like.
Peaky Blinders Has It All – Sex, Drugs and Drama
Even though Peaky Blinders is a high testosterone-fuelled show, it does right by its female characters who keep it at the right side of macho. The matriarch Aunt Pol (Helen McCrory) who has always been more than a match for her nephew, is perhaps the most badass Shelby. Then there is Tommy’s steely communist sister Ada (Sophie Rundle), who’s back from Boston and Lizzie Starke (Natasha O’Keeffe), Tommy’s secretary, who rekindles her relationship with her boss. Also featured this season is Charlie Murphy who plays the real-life union leader Jessie Eden.
The music of Peaky Blinders has always been ahead of its time and despite being set in the early 20th century, the show has a cool modern soundtrack. The theme song of Peaky Blinders is Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds with other indie tracks by David Bowie, Radiohead, PJ Harvey and Royal Blood regularly filling up the episodes.
With powerful set-pieces, rich characters, strong plot, dazzling soundtrack and brilliant acting, season 4 of Peaky Blinders is going to be a ride to remember. I wholly agree with anyone who feels that Peaky Blinders gets better with each passing season.
Peaky Blinders Is A Must Watch For Everyone!
Hopefully, we will catch a glimpse of the other fan-favourite Alfie Solomons (Tom Hardy) before this season ends. Fingers crossed.
This time it’s 0% business and 100% personal.
Verdict of The Idiot
Idiot-o-Meter: The Dude Abides!
[yasr_overall_rating]
The Idiot’s Rating System:
4.0 – 5.0: The Dude Abides!
3.0 – 4.0: Far Out, Man!
2.0 – 3.0: Take It Easy, Dude!
1.0 – 2.0: You’re Out Of Your Element!
0.0 – 1.0: The Goddamn Plane Has Crashed Into The Mountain!
The Idiot's Corner 
5
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4.5
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