The Corner

The recent renaissance of The Wire, ironically just as it has ceased its tenure on HBO, is a testament to the fact that quality will eventually out.

Like Carnivale, Deadwood, American Gothic and Arrested Development before it, these shows will be judged not according to their viewing figures at the time of their demise but by the fervent fanbase each show has developed on the back of the zeitgeist-busting originality and true depth of their material. It's therefore refreshing to see a long overdue appreciation for David Simon and David Mills HBO series The Corner, originally produced in 2000 yet having just as much resonance nearly a decade on.

The six stories that take place in the mini-series - all described as "The Blues" of either the leading character (Gary's Blues) or even at times a collective (Everyman's Blues) - are played out through the hour-long episodes. Set on the corner of West Fayette Street in Baltimore, in the heart of a vibrant community, they show how such a small area of turf can be a hotbed of life, death, drugs, scams and family bonds both made and torn apart. The individual chapters all feature characters that frequent the entire series and so a through line is developed over the six hour running time. The intelligence of the writing and direction is mirrored by some truly superb performances, none more so than Khandi Alexander as Fran.

Most devastating, however, are the poignant to-camera appearances of the true life individuals whose stories were told in the preceding episode and their progress (or at times their tragic ends) which serve as a chilling reminder that the fictionalised account we have just watched is at times a watered down version of the lives that have been devastated by the social impoverishment and injustice of modern day America.



Released on DVD on 6th April 2009 by Warner Home Video.

Written by Simon Cole.