John Adams

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 16, 2008
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
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Critic Reviews

  1. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Alessandra Stanley
    60
    John Adams is the weakest part of John Adams.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    50
    Unfortunately, so smitten are the creators of John Adams with historical earnestness and pedigree they seem to have forgotten how to tell a good story.
  3. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    50
    But this is an epic drama on HBO, correct? So is it Giamatti or Adams himself who will make viewers wish for a swifter and less pedantic version on the History Channel?
  5. Newark Star-Ledger
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    50
    There are moments when John Adams stirs up the passion its author clearly had for the subject -- Adams firing off a rifle in the middle of a battle at sea with a British warship, the first public reading of the Declaration, George Washington (David Morse, in the second-best piece of casting other than Giamatti) whispering his oath of office at his inauguration -- but too often it's just as muddy and dull as its subject was accused of being.

Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best TV Season of 2008
10
#10 Most Discussed TV Season of 2008
11
#11 Most Shared TV Season of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 123 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 103 out of 123
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 123
  3. Negative: 8 out of 123
  1. Le__Xenomorph
    Jan 7, 2015
    9
    With very strong acting from Paul Giamatti, John Adams looks into the life of John Adams with major success. Especially earning praise fromWith very strong acting from Paul Giamatti, John Adams looks into the life of John Adams with major success. Especially earning praise from critics and me as well. 9/10 (Awesome)… Full Review »
  2. Alex_Klivecka
    Sep 2, 2013
    4
    While the broad scope of the series keeps things somewhat interesting and watchable, Giamatti as Adams is such a terrible miscasting that IWhile the broad scope of the series keeps things somewhat interesting and watchable, Giamatti as Adams is such a terrible miscasting that I could not bring myself to like this program. Additionally, Adams was apparently a very unlikable man, and so the series is left with no one to root for. Adams is not an antihero, he's just mean, cranky, and quite frankly annoying to watch for 7 hours. Also, Giamatti is almost comical in the wigs and dress of the period, looking like a tubby, grumpy troll doll. The episodes with Benjamin Franklin save the series, and if you've got nothing else at least it's interesting from a historical perspective.… Full Review »
  3. worleyjamers
    Jun 4, 2013
    9
    John Adams is an essential story portrayed in brilliant fashion. Excellent direction from Tom Hooper, but it is the handful of fantasticJohn Adams is an essential story portrayed in brilliant fashion. Excellent direction from Tom Hooper, but it is the handful of fantastic performances that bring these iconic figures to life that really make the miniseries work. Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney, Tom Wilkinson, and Stephen Dillane in particular are stunning. John Adams is a near flawless telling of the story of colonial America.… Full Review »
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