Movies

‘Duster’: Is J.J. Abrams’ New Show TOO Fun?! You Won’t Believe It!

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In the future, it could be fascinating to see Matthew McConaughey and Josh Holloway portray brothers on screen. Although born just months apart in 1969, they have distinct personalities, yet share striking similarities. Both are tall, lean, muscular men with angular faces, often sporting short, choppy hair. They both exude a laid-back energy and a hint of a Southern drawl, but McConaughey is more the charming, boy-next-door type with a hidden depth, while Holloway, famous for his role as the complex antihero Sawyer in ‘Lost’, would be an intriguing contrast: a rugged outlaw masking a gentle heart.

Even though Holloway hasn’t quite reached Matthew McConaughey’s level of fame in Hollywood, his captivating charm has never been questioned. In fact, he possesses that rare talent for television acting where he can consistently draw viewers back to a series week after week. This is something J.J. Abrams, co-creator of ‘Lost’, can attest to personally. As a result, they and their collaborator LaToya Morgan (of ‘Turn’ and ‘Parenthood’) felt compelled to create a series tailored specifically for Holloway, who hasn’t been on the small screen since his character’s violent end on ‘Yellowstone’ in 2021. Their new crime drama set in the 1970s, ‘Duster’, is undeniably a showcase for Holloway’s talent. In fact, it’s so engaging and Holloway is such a delight to watch that the series stumbles slightly when it attempts to tackle more serious themes.

Debuting this Thursday, May 15 at 9 p.m. ET, taking over its time slot from its vintage predecessor The Pitt, the series Duster introduces Holloway as Jim Ellis, a skilled getaway driver for crime boss Ezra Saxton, played by Keith David. The narrative opens with Jim driving at high speed through the Arizona desert in a cherry-red Plymouth Duster, accompanied by a spirited young girl named Luna (Adriana Aluna Martinez). Along the way, they pick up a duffel bag from a drive-thru called Nachos con Dios, elude pursuing thugs with some impressive stunts, and finally arrive at Saxton’s mansion. Inside, there’s a fully equipped makeshift operating room where Saxton’s son, Royce (Benjamin Charles Watson), lies unconscious on the table. The bag contains a freshly harvested human heart. With his job far from complete, Jim is ordered to assist in the surgery by reaching into Royce’s open chest cavity.

The series perfectly embodies the playful, energetic spirit of “Duster,” and encapsulates the core personality of its lead character. If you didn’t catch the symbolism of the neon signs, Jim is the brave, skilful, loyal, discreet, charming figure who serves as the pulsating heart of Sax’s operation. However, he’s been stagnated for too long in a lowly role as a driver, often overshadowed by his brother (I imagine McConnaughey), who was part of Sax’s inner circle before meeting an unfortunate end in an explosion. Jim is the prodigal son even among his questionable family, shunned by Wade’s conniving, glamorous wife (Gail O’Grady) and longtime Sax associate, Wade himself (brilliantly played by Corbin Bernsen). As for Luna, she idolizes “Uncle Jim,” a man she believes is just a family friend due to her truck-driver mother, Izzy (Camille Guaty), thinking him unreliable for the role of father.

In the ’70s, a charismatic, middle-aged white man with an intriguing profession and a strong drive to succeed might have been all it took to create a successful TV series. However, in today’s competitive streaming landscape, every show needs to demonstrate more than just action sequences, romance, and good looks. Therefore, the series Duster carries additional weighty themes. The outcomes of this expanded objective are varied.

In this production, Rachel Hilson, known for her roles in “This Is Us” and “Love, Victor,” shares the lead role with Holloway in what essentially is a buddy show. They engage in witty banter reminiscent of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” In the series, Rachel’s character, Nina Hayes, is a recently graduated FBI agent, a rarity in the Bureau given her race, gender, and identity as a Black woman. However, she manages to secure the assignment she has been pursuing, which involves investigating Sax from the Phoenix office. Her colleagues are primarily interchangeable white males whose responses to her presence vary from patronizing to hostile. Fortunately, she finds an ally in her new partner, Awan (Asivak Koostachin), a half-Navajo agent who is apprehensive and straightforward. Additionally, she aims to enlist Jim as an informant because, like Nina, he has been wronged by Sax.

Jim and Nina are perfect counterparts, with Jim being wiry and intense while Nina is refreshingly calm and laid-back. They both share kind hearts and a tendency to bend the rules to get what they want. The show “Duster” avoids the typical will-they-won’t-they trope by giving its characters other potential love interests, fitting with the nostalgic atmosphere of the series. The creators, Abrams and Morgan, seem to have a fondness for ’70s pop culture, including the nostalgia for the ’50s. From the boxy cars to the music of the Spinners and the Stooges to casual references to Linda Lovelace, these elements create a sense of retro escape. An animated sequence imitates Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner. There’s also an Elvis-loving gangster called Sunglasses who owns a bowling alley named Great Bowls of Fire. It’s no surprise that Richard Nixon is mentioned in the series.

The experience is quite enjoyable overall, although it might not be on par with high-brow dramas. Given this, it’s understandable that the creators aim to give more depth to the series. They’ve achieved this by exploring the complex identity issues faced by characters who are women, LGBTQ+, people of color, or a blend of these identities. There’s a wealth of narrative potential in these themes. However, at times, when Nina encounters workplace discrimination, Awan grapples with his Navajo identity, or Izzy takes a stand on union issues for female truckers, these scenes can feel disjointed compared to the more fluid and casual moments, like when Jim and an eccentric villain take a break during a garage brawl to share a bottle of whiskey.

Despite some minor issues, Duster is generally an enjoyable show. If it continues for a second season and manages to seamlessly blend its tones, it could become more cohesive. Instead of feeling like you’re forced to eat boiled vegetables, the exploration of characters’ backstories should feel as natural as cheese melting over nachos – integrated into the narrative itself.

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2025-05-12 20:06

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