Series Review: House of Cards will blow your mind

When people talk about great actors of our time they rarely mention Kevin Spacey. This best actor recipient (for his role in American Beauty) is just not the first name that comes to mind in this category. But after watching this series many of you will agree with me that it is a great injustice.

Inspired by a British version that run in the early 90s on BBC, this outrageously entertaining show piece is about the exploits of a one Frank Underwood, a democratic congressman and chief whip in the House of Representatives.

The plot kicks off with Underwood being passed over for the position of secretary of state. Mortified by this betrayal he gets a plan aimed at getting revenge on all those who wronged him.

And as you watch this you soon realise that it is not in anyone’s best interest to be on his wrong side. Underwood only seems to trust his wife Claire played by Robin Wright with whom he shares an awkward but highly functional relationship.

She runs an NGO which gets caught in her husband’s political turmoil as she also looks to further her own personal goals. Kate Mara’s character, Zoe Barnes is another important piece of the puzzle in this story as her private and personal relationship with our leading man is instrumental in making this a stellar plot.

Underwood personifies ambition without limits. Blessed with southern charm and a magnetic personality, the character will do or say anything to get what he wants. By the time you reach the sixth episode you are left in sheer awe of this gentleman’s evil and genius nature.
At one point you are tempted to stand up in the middle of your living room and give Spacey’s character a standing ovation.

Spacey is just terrific and someone will have to do something exceptional to take away the best actor prize in a drama series this calendar year. This is a series you should add to your to do list as it is a definite classic.

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com