THE BIG CIGAR SEASON 1 REVIEW
THE BIG CIGAR SEASON 1 STORY: This series explores the life of Black Panther Party co-founder Huey P. Newton, who was charged with killing a 16-year-old prostitute. Bert Schneider, a Hollywood producer, aided Newton by planning a daring getaway from the FBI.
Review: “The Big Cigar,” a pen name for Cuba, is a compelling thriller with a remarkable factual narrative set in 1970s America that will enthrall you. It tells a story with plenty of turns, amazing performances, and a soundtrack enhanced by the lively music of the day set against the backdrop of Hollywood. The show follows Black Panther co-founder Huey P. Newton’s dramatic escape to Cuba with the help of Bert Schneider, the creator of the cult classic “Easy Rider,” and is centered around a significant period in his life when he became the FBI’s most sought man. This fast-paced drama, which takes place over six episodes with an average runtime of forty minutes each, takes viewers back to a time when African Americans were still battling for their rights and faced an uncertain future. This show promises to be entertaining and makes for an engrossing watch.
The show follows the lives of Huey P. Newton (Andre Holland), whose will to avoid going back to prison was fueled by his role in the murder case of a sixteen-year-old prostitute. Bert Schneider (Alessandro Nivolo), the well-known “Easy Rider” producer and the son of Columbia Pictures President Abraham Schneider, offered assistance. Steadfast in his conviction that the Black Panther cause was correct, Bert hatched a complex scheme to liberate Newton from the FBI’s clutches. The scheme was veiled as a fake film project headed for Cuba. But there were several roadblocks in the path of the idea. The man who had originally been in charge of organizing the flight to Cuba took $25,000 and later turned informant for the FBI. Then, while they were trying to leave Miami by boat, a tornado interfered with their plans, so as a last choice, they decided to drive to Mexico.
By paying close attention to historical pop culture allusions, “The Big Cigar” skillfully transports viewers and makes them feel like essential participants in that vibrant era. So you might hear Jack Nicholson’s voice on the phone, celebrate Candice Bergen’s birthday with her, or see Richard Pryor actively involved in the Black Panther movement. A complex portrait of Huey Newton is presented in the series, departing from the traditional heroic vision. Since he was implicated in a murder case, Newton is portrayed as a self-centered, paranoid man who is only concerned with leaving America. He does not even bother to thank those who helped make his escape possible. ‘The Big Cigar’ does not idealize Newton; instead, it presents him as a flawed, common person instead of a conventional hero.
As Huey P. Newton, Andre Holland gives a genuinely remarkable performance, capturing a man divided between remorse about his alleged lack of support for the Black Panther Party and paranoia over his detention. His performance is quite convincing and captivating. Additionally impressive is PJ Byrne’s portrayal of Steve Blauner, a film producer who plays a crucial role in Newton’s escape. But with his portrayal of Bert Schneider in this series, Alessandro Nivola really steals the show. Nivola plays a difficult part deftly since Schneider’s character could have easily devolved into Hollywood producer-approved clichés of luxury. Nivola’s portrayal is surprisingly devoid of these kinds of clichés. Bert Schneider’s persona is enhanced by Nivola’s superb, well-balanced, and mature performance.
Don Cheadle makes an impact behind the camera while demonstrating his directing skills. Cheadle helmed the first two episodes, and they display his signature approach, which is reminiscent of his work on “House of Lies.” This series, which was adapted from a magazine article by Joshuah Bearman—best known for his work on “Argo”—weaves a compelling story that is accentuated by its high production standards. There are never any boring moments in the story of Huey’s flight to Cuba, which keeps spectators engrossed throughout.
