Lioness 2023– Magnet Download
14/15
Referenced in Sovereign Awards (2024)
CIA agent Joe tries to balance his personal and professional life as the tip of the spear in the agency’s war on terror. Real-life military advisors helped produce a more authentic execution of weapons handling, housekeeping, positioning, squad-based activity, etc. Mr. Sheridan knows how to take us into macho, testosterone-fueled worlds without clichés and, seemingly, without agenda. It is what it is.
No apologies necessary
His characters are always down to earth and he is extremely skilled at casting. But to be great, you need to write good roles for women. The writing needs to be as good, if not better, than for men. The men are simple. The women are smarter, more complex.
They are strong and compelling
Beth in Yellowstone (great character and performance), the barrel riders, the lonely ranch worker (fantastic Jen Landon as Teeter) – all great female characters who fit into the world of the story in a natural, unforced way. Not just “the couple of…” or T & A. He upped his game with the excellent Faith Hill character crushed in “1883” followed by Dame Mirren in the flop that was “1923.” Now we have Zoe Saldana, doing one of the best jobs of her career. I totally believe her as a CIA chief in an open marriage (nice touch). I believe De Oliveira as a broken woman with a fiery rage who won’t quit and thank, thank, thank the writers/directors/producers for NOT letting her get the better of a fellow soldier with an extra hundred pounds of muscle.
Truthfulness above all!
I think her character is much more interesting if she is someone who needs to be knocked unconscious or simply dominated on the ground before she gives in. Now let’s talk about Jill Wagner, or should I say her hair? What a change of heart! From cheesy Hallmark trash to super-macho special forces? I believe it.
Special mention: Mrs
Lanier and the evil teenage daughter. I’m looking forward to the arc laid out for this loose cannon as long as they continue to avoid the cliché of teenage angst. Good actor, could get interesting…