The Long Firm

The Long Firm is a compelling five-part mini-series produced by BBC One in 2004. With its gritty mix of crime and drama, the series offers a captivating and realistic depiction of a gangster's life in London's Soho district during the 1960s. This corruptive world of organized crime is portrayed through the psychopathic character of Harry Starks, a sinister but beguiling character who compels both trepidation and fascination from viewers.

The Long Firm is based on Jake Arnott’s first novel of the same name, which is lauded among the most authentic fictive perspectives on the criminal underbelly of the London scene during this time period. The mini-series effectively brings to life the pages of Arnott's notorious debut, enhancing the intricate narrative with vivid visuals and phenomenal performances.

The protagonist, or more fittingly, the antagonist, Harry Starks, is played by Mark Strong, who rends his character's multifaceted personality with great finesse. With a taste for West End glamour, Starks is a suave and charismatic club owner. However, beneath this respectable façade, Starks is a ruthless gangster who uses brutal tactics to maintain control over his criminal empire. Obsessed with the vast world of celebrity culture, which he keenly incorporates into his business circles, he possesses a paradoxical blend of charm and cruelty that leaves the audience in a state of intrigued discomfort.

The show is not merely a chronicle of Stark’s merciless exploits but develops as an intricately designed ensemble piece with each episode narrated from a different character's perspective. Through this narrative strategy, it interweaves a web of compelling narratives, all interconnected through their relationship with Starks. The disparate narrators include a faded film star, a Tory peer, a high-end prostitute, and Starks' naïve young boyfriend, each providing a distinct viewpoint into the neon-lit, gritty world of 1960s London’s underworld, blighted by violence, corruption, and treachery.

One of The Long Firm's most commendable elements is the excellent script, which mixes hard-boiled crime drama with scrutiny of human weakness and ambition. There is a remarkable depth given to each character, making them believable and multi-dimensional. The series juxtaposes the glitzy superficiality of the showbiz world with the brutal reality of the criminal underworld, highlighting the ambivalence of a society marked by contrasting extremes.

The production design is stunning and exceptionally detailed, successfully capturing the murky atmosphere of 1960s London and the whiff of smoke-filled retro clubs. The show embraces London's seedy glamour with the wide lapels on the suits, ladylike gloves on the women, vintage cars, and period-specific music, which adds to the authenticity of the time and place. The cinematography is noteworthy, cleverly using lighting and angles to enhance the mood and tension of many scenes.

The performances throughout the series are outstanding. Mark Strong's chilling portrayal of Harry Starks establishes him as the menacing pivot around which the series revolves. However, the supporting cast also leaves a solid impact, delivering intriguing performances filled with emotional range and depth.

The Long Firm is not merely a work of crime and punishment but is also about relationships, desires, and the quest for power. It reveals how the ambition for supremacy and a respected social status often leads to a destructive path, while uncovering the alluring yet dangerous world of fame and power.

Despite being set in a historical context, The Long Firm resonates with contemporary themes, exploring societal issues like sexual identity, corruption, power dynamics, and the allure of fame. In doing so, it provides a broader social and political commentary on the era. The show challenges the audience to engage not merely with the act of crime but with the human stories behind them, prompting thought and introspection on the societal structures that enable such harsh realities.

In conclusion, The Long Firm is a riveting exploration of crime and its consequences, rich in character development, narrative complexity, and an unmatched nostalgic atmosphere. It offers a thought-provoking insight into a world where desire for glamour, power, and respectability often leads to perilous outcomes. For viewers seeking a brilliant fusion of history, crime, human drama and the murky politics of the showbiz underworld, this mini-series is a must-see.