This has that typical Altman mix, often brilliant, sometimes just good, and occasionally over the-top, and self conscious. The acting is generally good, but a little uneven. Some characters are very real, others come off as pure caricature. The series felt longer than it needed to be to make its points. The middle episodes were a bit boring and trite.
(Spoiler alert)
But then there's the episode where Tanner goes into the hood and meets w/real mothers of murdered kids, in an improvised scene of pain and anger which is simply devastating, and the whole series felt redeemed.
Overall, while watching it, I liked it, not loved it. But looking back, it left me with a much more powerful and lasting impression.
(Spoiler alert)
But then there's the episode where Tanner goes into the hood and meets w/real mothers of murdered kids, in an improvised scene of pain and anger which is simply devastating, and the whole series felt redeemed.
Overall, while watching it, I liked it, not loved it. But looking back, it left me with a much more powerful and lasting impression.