| Directors | Don Cheadle, Damon Thomas, Tiffany Johnson |
| Developed By | Jim Hecht |
| Cast | André Holland, Alessandro Nivola, Tiffany Boone, P. J. Byrne, Marc Menchaca, Moses Ingram, Rebecca Dalton, Olli Haaskivi, Jordane Christie, Glynn Turman |
| Based On | The Big Cigar by Joshuah Bearman |
| Episodes | 6 |
| Genre | Biographical Drama, Thriller |
| Platform | Apple TV+ |
– No Spoilers –
In this biographical drama, we follow the thrilling manhunt of Huey P. Newton, the founder of the Black Panther Party, and how he, with the help of film producer Bert Schneider made a daring attempt to flee the United States to go to Cuba.
In this thrilling showcase of Newton’s hopes, dreams and struggles, along with his daring evasion of the police after the state waged a war against him. Being a biography, this series (of course) covers a lot of real-life incidents that one might or might not be aware of. The series follows these incidents more or less to a T and displays them well for audiences to be hooked to the screen. Regardless of the accuracy, this series is fantastic as a drama that brings the glaring injustices in society at the time against the Black community to light.
In the series, Newton is shown to be a smart man who is grappling with his traumatic time in prison and thus turns his life around by moving away from the violence and deciding to do good things for the community. His struggle to focus on the good and live a peaceful life while also advocating for the Black community will be inspirational to many – there are moments in the show that are genuinely moving and emotional as we jump between the past and the present to get the point across and create a better character description for the protagonist.
On the other hand, we see the thrilling attempts to escape by Newton with the help of his friends which are constantly thwarted by different factors. These moments are not only frustrating but surprisingly funny at times and make you root for Newton as well as for Schneider and Stephen Blauner. Blauner, especially, is a rather humorous addition and sometimes the only voice of reason. His collaboration with Schneider has nuance and layers and their dynamics bring forth the years of history that they have together.
The Big Cigar is short enough not to feel like a chore while watching. In spite of being a biographical drama, it has the spunk to keep you occupied and a story that makes you root for it at every turn. You are left to wonder whether or not Newton is able to gain the freedom that he so desperately craves and whether or not his dreams of liberation come to fruition. Plus, the internal politics and his stint with law enforcement is a constant place of strife for him and the storyline which adds to the intrigue of the show.
André Holland is fantastic as Huey Newton and he is cast really well as the American revolutionary and political activist. Holland has the grit, determination as well as vulnerability to play the character and brings out the different emotions in a way that makes you feel for his plight. You root for his cause because you see the good in them but considering the reality of his situation also makes you fear for his safety.
The Big Cigar Review: Final Thoughts
This is an entertaining and gripping show that keeps you thoroughly engaged with the storyline. With a layered protagonist fighting different evils in a constant state of panic, the series is intriguing in all the right ways. The different characters leave a mark on your mind that stays after the show is over. There are moments of light-hearted banter and humour as well that keep things interesting and cut through the more serious sequences of the show. All in all, this is a rather enjoyable watch.
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