Pistol

:

Season 1
  • Network: HULU
  • Series Premiere Date: May 31, 2022
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
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User Reviews

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  1. Mauro_Lanari
    Apr 20, 2023
    7
    (Mauro Lanari)
    Forget the grotesque irony of "Trainspotting" (1996) and its sequel (2017). Although Lydon appears for the first time on set with the "I Hate Pink Floyd" t-shirt (true fact), Boyle probes the dark side of the moon, of music, of existence, yet another generational, epochal, historical catastrophe. Lydon himself has harshly criticized the miniseries, but sooner or later    (Mauro Lanari)
    Forget the grotesque irony of "Trainspotting" (1996) and its sequel (2017). Although Lydon appears for the first time on set with the "I Hate Pink Floyd" t-shirt (true fact), Boyle probes the dark side of the moon, of music, of existence, yet another generational, epochal, historical catastrophe. Lydon himself has harshly criticized the miniseries, but sooner or later reality comes out: "The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle". By losing the lawsuit against his former bandmates, the director was able to make use of their songs thus shooting the most similar thing to Stone's "The Doors" ('91). The biopic suffers from the narrative lengths of an episodic fiction and could have lasted 1/3, perhaps Chrissie Hynde is right when she tells of having had a single sexual relationship with Steve Jones, perhaps Siouxsie Sioux and Billy Idol were there or not: details. It matters that there is the irrepressible power of a group of guys who, precisely because they are unable to play and sing, have recorded only one album with which rock has been reset by bringing it back to its primitive and primordial chords and its lyrics as battle slogans. Stunning to hear the compositional quality they reached, impossible to calculate how many bands were born thanks to their influence, and unthinkable that they could be an exception to "Kill Your Idols".    … Expand
  2. otpws
    Jun 2, 2022
    10
    So unique and raw. Great performances also, highlighting Anson Boon and Louis Partridge. Brilliant piece.
  3. UncleWillard
    Jun 1, 2022
    6
    First episode was a mixed bag, and my first thought was that you can tell who provided the source material. I'd imagine if Johnny Rotten had written the book it was based on, we'd be hearing about how everything was his idea. Still, for dramatized rockumentary, it does have some visual pizazz, and you can't beat the soundtrack. After episode 1, though, I'm left wanting to see the new BowieFirst episode was a mixed bag, and my first thought was that you can tell who provided the source material. I'd imagine if Johnny Rotten had written the book it was based on, we'd be hearing about how everything was his idea. Still, for dramatized rockumentary, it does have some visual pizazz, and you can't beat the soundtrack. After episode 1, though, I'm left wanting to see the new Bowie doc more than hear more about a band who was really a flash in the pan, and received credit for something they really didn't create. Performances are okay. I'll update when I finish if anyone reads these, lol.… Expand
  4. MarcDoyle
    Jun 6, 2022
    8
    The music is actually pretty good - love the guy who plays Johnny Rotten, and the "love" story between Steve Jones and Hynde is amazing. Props also to Talulah Riley, who is pretty fantastic in a smaller role.
  5. FelicityFenwick
    Jun 6, 2022
    7
    Easily the best part of this show is Sydney Chandler as Chrissie Hynde. She's a fantastic actress, and she brings some empathy and integrity to the proceedings. The rest of the program dips far into the **** of addiction that so many rock docs do. I could give a crap about Syd and Nancy's nonsense. We now need a second series focusing on the Pretenders starring Sydney Chandler as Chrissy Hynde.
  6. geewah
    May 21, 2023
    7
    Entertaining enough but it does play it rather safe, unlike the band and it's music.

Awards & Rankings

87
#87 Most Discussed TV Season of 2022

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Under The Radar
    Reviewed by: Matthew Berlyant
    Jun 14, 2022
    60
    While the series has kinks to work out, the prospect of another season (or more) detailing what the members did afterwards would be fascinating to watch and perhaps less cartoon-ish than aspects of Season One that have been documented ad nauseam.
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  2. Decider
    Reviewed by: Johnny Loftus
    Jun 1, 2022
    80
    Pistol is a fun watch, rife with visual flourishes and emboldened by a strong cast on top of its otherwise by-the-book music biopic boilerplate.
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  3. Salon
    Reviewed by: Melanie McFarland
    Jun 1, 2022
    50
    What we get is another common souvenir, courtesy of a decently wailed version of a ditty we've heard before.
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