Blu-ray Review: Boss (Season One)

Blu-ray Reviews, Reviews

You know what’s always fun to watch? An actor in love with a role that’s written well enough for him to just own the screen. That’s Kelsey Grammer in Boss as the Mayor of Chicago Tom Kane.

Loosely based off of former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Kane has just been diagnosed with Dementia with Lewy bodies but wants nobody to know except for his doctor. Continuing to run Chicago with his iron fist, the show focuses on Kane and the machinations of big city politics while Kane also deals with his own massive health issue (unknown to everyone around him except his doctor).

And while it’s an interesting take on politics, especially if you’re familiar enough (or have lived in) the Chicago style of political machinations, there’s only one reason to watch Boss: Grammer. This is a unique role for the former Frasier star in that he just gets ooze power instead of comedic machinations. Grammer has been fairly prolific in what he’s done but he hasn’t quite captured the glory of nearly two decades worth of playing Frasier Crane.

Tom Kane is the sort of role that Grammer just owns on the screen and makes this such an interesting show; it’s not all that impressive on a story perspective. This is the clichéd look at power in America, etc, but Grammer is just so much fun in the role that it makes it a worthwhile viewing.

There’s a handful of Audio Commentaries as well as some pedestrian featurettes.

There’s one reason to watch Boss more than anything else: it’s Kelsey Grammer in maybe his best role since Frasier.

Lionsgate presents Boss (Season One). Created by Farhad Safinia. Starring Kelsey Grammer, Connie Nielsen, Martin Donovan, Kathleen Robertson, Hannah Ware, Jeff Hephner. Running time: 440 minutes. Not Rated. Released: July 24, 2012. Available at Amazon.com.