John From Cincinnati

John From Cincinnati, a 2007 HBO series starring Bruce Greenwood, is an enigmatic, yet intriguing piece of television crafted by the legendary David Milch, the mind behind acclaimed series like Deadwood and NYPD Blue. It's a melting pot that seamlessly blends together elements of surf culture, family dramas, and spiritual mystique to deliver a show that stimulates thought as well as emotion.

Set in the surf community of Imperial Beach, California, the series primarily revolves around the Yosts, a fictitious three-generational dysfunctional family of professional surfers. Famous surf patriarch Mitch Yost, impressively portrayed by Bruce Greenwood, is past his prime and still nursing a knee injury that ended his own illustrious career. His drug-addicted son, Butchie, once a revered surf prodigy, is now a fallen icon battling his inner demons. Mitch's wife, Cissy, completes this troubled family trifecta who struggles to cope with her husband's bitterness and her son's self-destruction.

The overall peace (or lack thereof) of the Yost family is disrupted with the sudden arrival of a stranger named John Monad, also known as John from Cincinnati. John, a mysterious and slightly eccentric figure, seems to possess an inexplicable supernatural aura and appears to be unburdened by common human traits like pain or fear. Throughout the series, he serves as an emblem of change much-needed by the Yost family, and through his somewhat cryptic interactions, he starts to elicit extraordinary phenomena around the Yosts and the locals.

This otherworldly presence of John in the lives of the Yosts marks the kickoff of loosely interconnected subplots involving family secrets, unresolved grievances, unlikely alliances, and miracles that are both literal and metaphorical.

In addition to Greenwood, the series boasts a commendable ensemble, including Rebecca De Mornay playing Cissy with complexity, creating a well-rounded character who is tough and loving at the same time. A believable portrayal of Butchie by Brian Van Holt excellently paints the image of a distressed, struggling individual drowning in the murky waters of fame and addiction. As John Monad, Austin Nichols is compelling with a performance that is suitably ethereal yet grounded, and Luke Perry shines in a supporting role as a disgraced former surf star-turned-denouncer of surf culture.

With its stellar cast and an intriguing premise, John From Cincinnati is at once a character study and a mercurial exploration of concepts like redemption, change, and most notably, life beyond human understanding. The series re-introduces and masterfully reprises the classic surf noir genre, incorporating an existential shroud that sets it apart.

The undercurrent of surfing presents a wonderful amalgamation of beauty and danger, paralleling the life of the characters who grapple with personal and intergenerational pain. Engaging viewers with vibrant cinematography that captures the transcendent mystique of the ocean waves, the cinematography creates a stunning visual that at once enhances the narrative's complexity and deepens its spiritual resonance.

The storytelling of John from Cincinnati marks a departure from conventional narrative frameworks, leaving it open to interpretation. In doing so, it avoids oversimplification and direct answers, pushing the viewers to engage with the series on a more thoughtful and speculative level. Creator David Milch is rarely didactic in his approach; instead, he uses veiled dialogue and nuanced symbolism to provoke thought and discussions about larger, more significant questions about life, family, and identity.

The series is underlined by excellent writing and solid performances. However, it can be a slow burn at first, requiring the viewer's investment and patience to fully absorb the storyline's complexities. It thrives on deliberate ambiguity, packed with philosophical queries, prompting the viewers to engage in contemplation along with the Yosts and of course, the enigmatic John.

In summary, John From Cincinnati is an intriguing form of avant-garde television that dares to diverge from conventional storytelling and explore the unknown. It is a conceptually deep, visually striking, and artistically challenging series that stands unique, even amongst HBO's stable of illustrious offerings. Whether you want to explore it for its surf noir vibes, its stellar cast, or its thought-provoking metaphysical themes, the series has something for everyone who is willing to embark on a slightly different, truly unique television journey.