‘The Penguin’ Review: Gotham Gangster Goodness With A Delightful Colin Farrell
The debut episode of The Penguin clearly establishes the vibe: this isn't merely a Batman series; it’s a crime drama set in Gotham. It feels like The Sopranos, but with characters from the DC universe. Colin Farrell portrays Oswald Cobblepot as a version of Tony Soprano, complete with a limp and gold teeth. He drives a purple sedan and secretly enjoys listening to Dolly Parton when he's on his own. Cobblepot idolizes an old-school gangster from his youth who was known for helping others, and when that gangster passed away, the city honored him with a parade. A parade!
The series brings to mind my initial expectations for Gotham when it first premiered. It revolved around a young Jim Gordon battling the Falcone crime family and later encountering a variety of bizarre villains, with a young Bruce Wayne featured as well. While it's unclear where The Penguin's journey will lead, the current focus barely scratches the surface of the Caped Crusader, mainly through news coverage of The Riddler's actions. I think that's a positive aspect.
Colin Farrell's portrayal of the main character is truly captivating. The makeup and prosthetics are stunningly realistic. I have to confess that when I first watched The Batman back in 2022, I didn't recognize him at all. He completely transforms, not just with the fat suit but also by embodying the character. His gravelly New York accent and his tough yet friendly personality make him incredibly charming—he’s basically a lovable big teddy bear. I'm really impressed with how well-developed the character of Cobblepot is after just one episode. We get to see various facets of his personality: his idealism, his capacity for mercy, his shrewdness, and his ruthlessness, along with his taste in music.
Beware, as the following section contains spoilers for the first episode of the series.
The opening episode begins only hours after the conclusion of The Batman. Carmine Falcone has been killed, leaving the fate of Gotham's leading crime family uncertain. At this moment, Oz is merely a low-ranking gangster tasked with managing the Family's street activities. He encounters Falcone's son, Alberto, under unfortunate circumstances, and their discussion over drinks takes a dark turn, resulting in Oz shooting him to death.
In a surprisingly humorous moment, the scene transitions to the title card just as Oz realizes the gravity of his actions and the trouble he's gotten himself into. He faces the challenge of disposing of a body and encounters some delinquent kids trying to break into his car while leaving the club. They take off running, but he manages to catch one before he gets away. This kid is Victor Aguilar (played by Rhenzy Feliz), and instead of harming him—his initial thought—Oz chooses to take him under his wing. This decision proves to be a smart move, as Aguilar becomes a valuable ally by the end of the episode.
Oz is called to the family's large estate in the more upscale area of town. There, he's informed that they plan to close the factory that produces Drops, a well-liked local drug. In a fleeting moment of fear, he lets slip that he has knowledge of an upcoming shipment heading to the area, which could significantly influence the group's future. This information was shared with him by Alberto before he passed away. Unfortunately for Oz, Sofia Falcone overhears him and starts to piece together that something is off. She and her brother are the only ones who were aware of this shipment, and her brother hasn't shown up today.
Sofia has just been released from Arkham Asylum, where she was held after being found guilty of multiple murders. In the past, she operated under the persona of the Hangman, a famous serial killer from a comic book narrative. Cristin Milioti is an ideal fit for this character. There's a particular scene after she shares a lunch with Oz, during which she leans in to whisper, "You know, Oz, people often underestimate you, but I don't. I've always believed you could do so much more." Her smile shifts to something icy and unsettling. Sinister music plays in the background. While she might not be fully aware of everything, it's clear she has her suspicions.
From this point, Oz and Victor come up with a strategy. They head out to see Victor's mother, Francis Cobb (Deirdre O’Connell), who lives in a remote area. She’s a bit eccentric, but upon hearing that Victor killed Alberto Falcone, her demeanor shifts. “This city is meant for you, darling,” she tells him. “What’s your plan to claim it?”
Oz still has more visits planned. He heads to the prison to meet Salvatore Maroni, a competing mob boss played by Clancy Brown. Oz proposes that they join forces to undermine the Falcone family from within. However, Maroni isn't keen on the idea; he doesn't have faith in Oz's loyalty. Things take a turn when Oz presents Maroni with his old ring, which he took from Alberto's dead body. This surprises the mobster. “Perhaps I’m capable of more than you realize,” Oz tells him.
Following an exciting pursuit, Sofia's henchmen take Oz back to their base, where she subjects him to intense interrogation to extract details about Alberto. Here, Farrell's remarkable fat suit truly stands out. The craftsmanship is astonishing, making it nearly impossible to discern that it’s all artificial. It does, however, bring to mind a particularly funny sketch from I Think You Should Leave:
This is the moment when Oz and Victor’s scheme unfolds. While he’s being tortured, a car crashes outside. It turns out to be the vehicle they used to dispose of Alberto's body. When Sofia runs outside to investigate, she finds the car empty, with only a concrete block pressed against the gas pedal. Inside the trunk is her brother’s body, missing its pinky finger, with the word ‘PAYBACK’ etched into the metal.
Ultimately, Oz and his small companion relax together, enjoying their slushies—the mixed flavors, since they taste better—and fantasize about what lies ahead. It's quite charming.
Overall, this first episode of the limited series is fantastic and a strong addition to the Gotham universe that Matt Reeves introduced with The Batman. I had mixed feelings about what to anticipate but remained optimistic. Colin Farrell has rapidly become one of my favorite actors lately, especially after his outstanding role in Apple TV’s superb noir series, Sugar. I would really enjoy seeing him team up with Gary Oldman for a project. I'm curious about the direction the show will take moving forward, but I'm completely onboard right now. I highly recommend checking it out!
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