Oscar Isaac
Carla Quevedo
Jim Belushi
Alfred Molina
Winona Ryder
Bob Balaban
Jon Bernthal
Catherine Keener
LaTanya Richardson-Jackson

David Simon
William F. Zorzi

Miniseries
2015
Crime, Drama, History
HBO
TV-MA

An early scene in the first part of “Show Me a Hero,” a six-part miniseries based on true events and on Lisa Belkin’s book of the same name, juxtaposes two neighborhoods: one that’s overwhelmingly white and middle-class, the other that’s overwhelmingly black, latino, and poor. Here we go again. This is familiar territory for writers David Simon and William F. Zorzi, who collaborated on “The Wire.” They’ve crafted yet another multi-faceted depiction of city life. This time, director Paul Haggis is at the helm. He’s no stranger to telling a complicated story with clarity; he wrote and directed “Crash,” after all. So, the material’s in good hands. (I can’t say the same about “The Wire.”)

In the late 1980s to the early 1990s, the City of Yonkers, in New York, underwent social upheaval: A federal judge (played by Bob Balaban) mandated that the city desegregate its public housing, which had a major impact on one of its middle-class neighborhoods. This led to scattered-site public housing, a new idea at the time. The denizens of that neighborhood were none too pleased. In comes Nick Wasicsko (Oscar Isaac), a young Democratic city council member. In his run for mayor against the Republican incumbent, Angelo Martinelli (Jim Belushi), he distinguishes himself by highlighting his vote to support an appeal of the judge’s ruling. Martinelli didn’t vote for the appeal because he knew it would be a waste of time and money. Most of the voters of Yonkers didn’t care, they wanted someone to fight for their cause. (This has shades of what’s going on right now, politically, in many parts of this country.) So, out with the old, in with the new. However, shortly after Wasicsko wins the election, Yonkers loses the appeal. Uh oh.

“Show Me a Hero” has a look that you would expect from any movie or TV show that’s set in a city and tells a story specific to that city. It’s reminiscent of “…And Justice for All,” “Serpico,” “Lean on Me,” and, of course, “The Wire.” It has the feel of the ’80s without overdoing it. The music matches that, including lots of Springsteen and some rap from the time. There are even a few throwback musical montages, one of which moves along to the beat of Springsteen’s “Hungry Heart.”

The acting and writing are well done, though not without problems. At times, early on, the dialogue sounds like something out of a play. Actually, it’s not that bothersome, because there are plenty of moments with nice, nuanced touches to balance it out. I just wish that some of the starch was taken out of the clunkier moments.

Regardless, Oscar Isaac does a reliably solid job as Wasicsko. He anchors this miniseries with intelligence and ease. When he talks, there’s a natural rhythm to the dialogue. The same can be said of Alfred Molina as Hank Spallone, a city council member. Interestingly, Winona Ryder turns in a wonderfully worn-in performance as Vinni Restiano, the city council president. This is a great, well-textured cast that also includes many other actors (LaTanya Richardson-Jackson among them) who know what to do and when to do it.

Another strength of “Show Me a Hero” is the clarity of the storytelling. Despite all of its moving parts, the story isn’t hard to follow … if you pay attention. That’s certainly an accomplishment and is a credit to not only the writers but also the director.

If the remaining five parts of this miniseries can build upon the first episode’s solid foundation, “Show Me a Hero” will be a success. I’m sure they will. So, the question is: How much of a success? …

Over the course of “Show Me a Hero,” the characters gain texture and depth. (Just look at the evolution of Mary Dorman, played beautifully by Catherine Keener, for example.) We get to know many of them rather well, and we want to know them. That’s the accomplishment here. And it’s all done in a mostly understated way. As the racial tensions increase, so does your blood pressure. This is a reminder that change happens slowly and that this kind of thing still happens now. My blood’s still boiling.

Verdict: Very Good

About: (Source: showmeahero)

From creator David Simon (‘Treme’ and ‘The Wire’) and director Paul Haggis (‘Crash’), and based on the nonfiction book of the same name by Lisa Belkin, this six-part miniseries explores notions of home, race and community through the lives of elected officials, bureaucrats, activists and ordinary citizens in Yonkers, NY.

In an America generations removed from the greatest civil rights struggles of the 1960s, the young mayor (Oscar Isaac) of a mid-sized American city is faced with a federal court order that says he must build a small number of low-income housing units in the white neighborhoods of his town. His attempt to do so tears the entire city apart, paralyzes the municipal government and, ultimately, destroys the mayor and his political future.

In addition to Oscar Isaac, ‘Show Me a Hero’ stars Catherine Keener, Alfred Molina, Winona Ryder, LaTanya Richardson-Jackson, Bob Balaban and Jim Belushi. Directed by Paul Haggis; written by David Simon and William F. Zorzi; executive produced by David Simon, Nina K. Noble, Paul Haggis, Gail Mutrux and William F. Zorzi.