by Foster Harlfinger, Contributing Writer
By order of the Peaky Blinders, we have a new Netflix original film continuing the storyline for Thomas Shelby (Cillian Murphy) developed by creator Steven Knight in the six seasons of the original Peaky Blinders show. Such seems to be the trend these days with shows like The Sopranos or Luther offering one final exclamation point at the end of an otherwise successful run, though the necessity of such additions varies from one show to the next.
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man maintains the aesthetic and, in the case of the film’s cinematography, upgrades it from that of the original series. Tom Harper’s direction offers a more cinematic texture to the world of 1940s Birmingham without losing the essential “Sure, these guys are criminals, but they’re also incredibly cool” vibe of the show.
Grounding the whole affair, Murphy has unequivocally owned the role of Thomas Shelby for a decade plus, and his performance in The Immortal Man offers an interpretation of the character that has grown increasingly weary of the world around him. The lines on his face are etched with shades of pessimism and grief, no longer unstoppable in the way he was in the early days of the Peaky Blinders. However, for as much as Murphy’s presence has dominated the show, Peaky Blinders has always been about the strength and unity of the Shelby family as a whole. Whether it be the blunt guidance of Aunt Polly (Helen McCrory) or the ups and downs of brotherly love (Paul Anderson, Joe Cole, Harry Kirton), Thomas is a man forged in the flames of family.
It is unfortunate then that so many of the original show’s leads are absent from this film. Of course, many characters have had natural exits as their storylines have run their course, but in the case of Paul Anderson’s absence from this film, it was his real-life struggles with addiction which led screenwriter Steven Knight to create an off-screen death for his character, the second off-screen death to occur in the franchise’s history following Helen McCrory’s unexpected passing prior to season 6.
The Immortal Man attempts — often successfully — to make up for its lack of original cast members with the addition of Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Roth, and Barry Keoghan, all of whom fit perfectly within the pre-established world of the show. Though Keoghan’s Duke Shelby, the illegitimate son of Thomas and his deceased lover Zelda Chiriklo — twin sister of the mysterious Kaulo (Ferguson) — may be somewhat underwritten, his intriguing arc is central to the story of the film as he finds himself caught between the legacy of the Shelby dynasty and forging his own path forward with the help of Nazi sympathizer John Beckett(Roth).
The Immortal Man presents a largely satisfying conclusion for fans of Peaky Blinders, even if it couldn’t possibly reach the heights of the original show without its full cast. With its flashy cinematography, larger sets, and heavy-hitter additions to the cast, the film is able to meaningfully expand the influence of the show. Thankfully, The Immortal Man does so without forgetting that despite all the stylish flair, cool outfits, and fun accents, Peaky Blinders has always at its core been a character driven show experienced through the expressive eyes of Thomas Shelby.
Rating: Liked It
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is currently streaming on Netflix
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