Brosnan and Mirren have a comfortable chemistry and are both quietly smart and darkly calculating.
FromThe SopranostoSuccessiontoHouse of the Dragon, audiences are fascinated bydysfunctional families who find their relationships further strained by power.
Butthe heart ofMobLandisnt one of these family figures.
Image via Paramount+
Its the familys fixer, Harry, portrayed with comfortable aplomb by established chameleonTom Hardy.
Tom Hardyis no stranger to these kinds of characters.
Eddie Brock is no doubt delightful and relatable, but its clear that this is where Hardy thrives.
Image via Paramount+
The show opens with Harry holding court in an industrial backroom.
He steps away from the negotiations to check in with Conrad.
Conrad asks, “What does your gut tell you?”
Harry’s value to the Harrigans is more than just muscle.
They rely on his instincts.
InMobLand’s first five minutes, those instincts are deadly.
After Conrad’s consultation, Harry realizes the best option is to take out both groups.
He does so, with the mask of mediation held tight.
Its a rare moment where Harry uses force.
Put your hands on the stair rail, he says as an additional lackey tapes them to it.
Hardy doesnt approach the fight choreography with any sleek stylistic movements or pro-wrestling-esque big sells.
He is brutal, efficient, and focused.
Where brass knuckles wont do, hell use an attackers hammer against them.
Once he gets behind the bar, bottles are fair game, too.
Hardys comedic timing serves the crime story as well.
WhenMobLandmakes you laugh, its sobering.
A crucial part ofHardy’s legacyas a performer ishis great vocal work.
It lends credence to Harry Da Souza too, but in a way viewers might not expect.
Hardy’s vocal work inMobLandis very natural.
His low tone is authoritative, almost paternal.
If you close your eyes, you still understand the authority and competency of this character.
“My name is Max.
My world is fire.
Hes not above cutting a deal that offers who he needs to come to heel some protection as well.
You get the feeling thatHarry would be a better criminal head than any Harrigan or Stevenson.
For all of his time in a distinctly British crime story space, Hardys performances never feel phoned in.
No two Hardy-portrayed social outliers ever feel the same.
Its a pleasure to see Hardy carve out a new shady but lovable character.
