Goliath is a pretty solid legal thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout every season. As always, Billy Bob Thornton was terrific. He has proven time and time again to be a very good actor and this actually might be his best role of his career. Well, at least one of them anyways. Each episode ends leaving you wanting more. There are plenty of twists and turns during each season and they all pay off in the end. This series isn't anything that's not been done before, this show just does it little better. If you're into legal dramas and haven't seen this yet then I definitely would recommend giving this a chance. You won't be disappointed.
Add a Review
-
Supermanfan-136 September 2023
-
feelinesound15 October 2016Binged-watched this one in 3 days and it was an absolute pleasure. It's not that the story itself is so thrillingly addictive, but mainly that almost all of the main characters are so fascinating, well crafted and brilliantly performed that you just keep wanting to go back and discover more about them. All of them deeply flawed, and yet vividly human and (for the most part) to at least some extent likable. Furthermore, the sheer amount of fully fleshed out, round and interesting characters that the show manages to create and build in just one 8-episode season is seriously impressive - there must be around 10 main supporting characters and by the end none of them feel under- served.
It helps of course that the cast is one of the most talented and charismatic ones put together for any show this year, with special mentions going to Thornton, Maria Bello and Nina Arianda, though literally everyone (down to even minor characters like the judge) is at the very least very good, if not excellent. It also helps that the show is masterfully written and beautifully shot, has a very strong visual identity and takes great advantage of LA as its location, particularly with the driving scenes and time- lapse shots.
Don't be fooled by people calling it a legal drama, it might have a lot of lawyers and a few courtroom scenes but the way it's shot and paced, the amount of detective work involved, the score and the atmosphere the show maintains make it feel much more like classy film noir than any legal drama I've ever watched. -
Rob133126 January 2023Goliath was such a good show. I'm actually mad at myself for putting it off for so long and just now watching it. I just finished season one and can't wait for the next three. If they're half as good as this first season I'll be satisfied. Billy Bob Thornton was perfect for this role. It's about a once powerful lawyer named Billy McBride (Thornton) who's now an ambulance chaser and a drunk. He takes a wrongful death lawsuit against his old firm which he helped create. He's then in a life or death trial against his old firm who he wants revenge against and the conspiracy behind it. I couldn't get enough of this and binged it as quickly as I could.
-
Tactrix17 October 2016First let me say that billy bob was built for this role. Picking him was the obvious choice because there is almost no one that can play a washed up brilliant drunk the way he can.
Now as for the actual series. We have Billy, who's a retired defense attorney thrown back in law after he gets tossed a case about a guy on a boat that blew up. At first it just sounds like a regular case, and then it quickly becomes apparent that there's a lot wrong with it. The long and short of it is that this series is layered perfectly, you never see what's coming because they scripted it in a way in which you don't get to see around the bends.
10/10 great acting, great directing, and an amazing script. -
bartleby5616 October 2016I'm not into courtroom dramas, & I don't have a particular interest in procedurals of any stripe. I did find "Goliath" to be very involving and entertaining. There are some clichéd tropes, as there are to some extent in ALL narrative fiction: the wastrel who has squandered his position of privilege and is handed the means to his own retribution, the big bad corporation pitted against the little guy, the 11th hour testimony to save the day for the plucky litigants...these contrivances in no way detract from what is at heart a good story with vivid, lifelike characters who suffer real consequences. There are a few "types", characters who fulfill a narrative function, but if you're THAT hung up on purity, screw it; you shouldn't be watching television, you should be writing stories and making your own truthful narratives. This is quality entertainment, and easily the best thing I've watched recently. Billy Bob Thornton is perfect, the supporting cast is top- notch, and while it does follow some genre formulae...it's artfully rendered GENRE, people. I suspect that the person complaining that it wasn't up to the standards of Chandler or Connelly (WTF?) suffers from ODC and likes having the last word in any discussion, whether it's regarding crime fiction or upholstery. I found it very entertaining.
-
Session 2 was a mess. Started off amazing then got weird and incomprehensible. The acting is awesome but the writing totally lost me the second half of season 2.
-
mbolduc-9528317 October 2016Moves briskly despite the length, great courtroom scenes, amazing work from the actors, all of them. Nina Arianda, Tania Raymonde and Olivia Thirlby are standouts in a cast featuring Thornton, William Hurt and Molly Parker, and this is the first role I've seen Harold Perrineau in where I didn't see him, just his character. Maria Bello is quite good as well.
One of the best shows of the year, for me. Maybe 2-3 mildly preachy bits that dragged, but altogether solid. While there's not much actual action, a lot happens, but it doesn't feel clumsy or forced. I would be into a season 2. -
rareandfirsts14 October 2016After only watching the first episode, I am seeing the possibility of an Emmy for For at least Billy Bob, Kelly and Bellow. Possibly Hurt and the writers. This seems to be one of the better streaming services or premium cable dramas to come across my screen in many months. I wasn't as tweaked about Goliath as I was Westworld, but after two episodes of Westworld and one of Goliath, my tastes say Goliath serves up a better dramatic dish to be savored rather than gulped down in shock scenes as in Westworld. I guess I prefer the story and character development over action. Guess I'm getting old. LOL.
Another nice thing is this is so far away from the procedural format that seems to be the only other thing out there in legal dramas.
Now it's off to binge the rest of the series to see if it disappoints or exceeds my expectations.
I'm not a professional reviewer and I don't even play one on TV. -
vintagetbird7 July 2017Nina Arianda's performances as Patty Solis-Papagian are just brilliant. What a talented actor. I totally believed every word and every look/reaction. Just outstanding. That is all I have to say, but IMDb requires more copy, specifically "Your review does not contain enough lines - the minimum length for reviews is 5 lines of text." Now does my opinion qualify for posting? ;-)
-
I thought season 1 was great and looking forward to season 2. However, the storyline was a bit boring and didnt care much for any of the characters. Very disappointed with the second season. Please dont bring back the writers from season 2 if the creators plan a season 3.
-
rogerflores-4161127 September 2021Amazon smartly released all 8 episodes of Goliath so you could binge and follow the full arc of the story in a continuous setting. Goliath doesn't bury the lead by making you watch 7 episodes before stuff happens. Crucial elements of the story are revealed quickly and consistently and still it goes a full 8 episodes. Billy Bob Thornton just absolutely crushes it with his unique voice. Combined with Nina Arianda, it may have the best acting on TV that seems to never get noticed.
Meanwhile Apple continues to water-board viewers as it slow rolls its shows, with one episode at a time making you forget the reason you watched the first 2 episodes of any of their shows in the first place. They have ruined Ted Lasso and pretty much every other show in this way. I mention this b/c Apple put out several shows at the same time Goliath was released, including Foundation, See, and Ted Lasso. Goliath's full season was more satisying than all 3 of those shows combined. -
billking666615 June 2018Spoiler. The first Season knocked it out of the park, but Season 2 is substandard. The worst part is the coincidence of an innocent kid going to the crime scene, with the intention of gunning down those who were gunned down by somebody else (on the same night, at the same exact time, on video) was too hard to handle. It was probably the most contrived plot setup I have ever seen. Thornton is great, but I hope the rest of the writing will not continue on this level of absurdity.
-
The first season was fantastic and BBT deserved the award for a fantabulous performance. Season 2 is an insult to BBT and a lesson on how to screw up a fantastic series franchise. The writing can be described at best as amateurish. The plot is wafer thin and has gaping holes in the story line. The way they ended the season is testimony to the fact that they didn't know where to take it or collapse the sub plots. The only saving grace once again is BBT. Please don't hire these writers for Season 3
-
kosmasp26 September 2021Billy Bob Thornton - what a powerhouse actor. Now before I watched this I only knew that he was going to be in it. And some of the regulars of the show: I did not really know them. Tonia Raymonde was in Lost and of course I know William Hurt and Maria Bello ... but there is more than that.
But apart from the great actors (and every season seems to add a few more, while some dissappear ... sort of), it is the great story this tells. I felt that season 3 capped a lot of things very well. You had a sort of ... finishing touch to certain things. That being said, the last season that just came out a few days ago and made me binge the whole show, starting before the fourth and final season was released, has a different tone to it.
I understand that some feel that season 3 was different. And it totally was - you had a different setting, a different flow and mood to it. But it worked for me. Actually there is a moment in season 4 that feels as unreal as it gets and it involves a roof top and a fall ... of sorts. I won't say more, but it feels detached from the rest of the show up to this point.
Until maybe you realize that the last season is even more ... out there in a sense than the third one was. Which introduced a few things (like the crow and stuff that feels ... supernatural - is it though?) - and something Season 4 does too.
The lighting and the general mood of season 4 seems to return ... especially the courtroom things. Although I can imagine that certain things may not go over well. And I'm not just talking about the ending, which ... I personally loved, not just because it reminded me of another great show ending in a similar tone/fashion.
Talking about feelings and moods, Season 2 Episode 7 is probably my favorite episode. It reminded me of Breaking Bad in a sense. And it introduced some very interesting characters/actors in it! It also seems to be one of those episodes that anyone can watch and enjoy, even if they don't know the rest of the show.
But back to Billy Bob and his fight ... his struggle. Not just with people who oppose him and justice and morals - generally speaking. He also has a lot of demons ... such a rich character. We love him, because he is morally on the right side. We feel for him, especially when he struggles ... because of his addiction and self destroying nature but also when he takes on the "bad guys".
This is not a court room drama, but there are quite a few scenes that play inside one. The show also takes your expectations and turns them upside down. Not everything will be resolved by the end of the show ... some interesting characters and storylines never get a ... Hollywood treatment or resolution. You may hate it for that fact ... but it makes it more enticing for others - like myself, that this is not just perfect and feels mostly like real life with its ups and downs.
And every season seems to have a different theme and beast to fight over ... with many different stories this tells. I've seen my fair share of tv shows, this is definitely one of the best ones I've seen - which is a testament to everyone involved - in front and behind the camera! I reckon Corona was responsible for the last season to be delayed ... but if you didn't know, you couldn't really tell ... -
lenore-9570415 October 2016What a tremendous achievement for Amazon! So glad I am a Prime member and received notice about this series. The story is gripping, Thornton plays the flawed hero to perfection. Supporting characters are all interesting and the actors imbue them with subtle distinctiveness.
Beautifully shot, with Venice and Los Angeles a perfect backdrop.
The special effects, particularly in the opening sequence, are amazing and truly special. They enhance the drama rather than substitute for the writer's lack of story or plot, which is often the case,
Can't wait to see if there's a second season.
Wow! A perfect 10. -
vivekbatra-0118816 October 2016Stories, in a way, arise out of different permutations that our lives take, or different paths that the writers can think of. A clichéd screenplay is something close to a path that is predictable. Most of us look down upon the regular plot lines. This is why Goliath is important. The story is full of clichés, that ,ironically, help to winnow out the acting from the sea of banalities. Billy Bob and William Hurt shine throughout and are ably supported by a fantastic cast, including that canine. The music sticks and in a way celebrates Billy Bob's loneliness (cliche ++). Although the makers successfully integrate few surprises, none of them are worthy of an exclamation. But this series was never about that. It's about how good the actors are, that good that you hardly question the fiction. PS - With only 8 episodes, I could sleep peacefully without binge breaking my back!
-
kvitoff5 October 2019The story line continues. After Season Two and the results from Season Three all makes sense. The ending, although dramatic and final, I would like to think there will be a fourth. The acting by all was superb. And, I mean all. My wife and I sat for two days and watched the first five episodes and then today with the last three. It was well worth the binge.
-
miketvinnereim16 June 2018This guy is probably the best Actor in the business. Not to take away from the rest of the Cast that has done an amazing job and really all deserve major Hands up! For sure needs to be moved to the top of your watch list.
-
rechh5 October 2019Billy Bob Thornton is probably one of the most UNDER appreciated actors in his time. Okay, maybe his "acting" as Billy McBride is spectacular because (as he puts it) he is essentially playing himself as he is in real life, but his ability to be cutting yet caring, cynical yet optimistic, and completely dynamic all the time is why I'm left always wanting more. There doesn't seem to be much "controversy" over how fantastic season 1 is, so onto season 2. For those who didn't enjoy season 2, I suggest you watch it again with some patience for plot and character development and pay a bit more attention to details... I think it may surprise you. Season 3 had all the best components of season 1 and 2. Exciting plot, unexpected characters returning, and bringing closure to some story lines left slightly unfinished in season 2. I really hope this season is not closure, period. Amazon has put out some fabulous shows, but this one wins, hands down! PS- if you want to whine about what is shown in the trailer, do it in the review. Giving 1 star to an outstanding show just because you didn't like the content of the trailer is moronic and self defeating (especially if you actually enjoy the show!)
-
em-gliss6 October 2019I'll keep this short. Season 1 was fantastic. Season 2 was one giant WTF, and not in a good way. And season 3 feels like they're ripping off Twin Peaks in terms of style and tone...and I'm only 2 episodes in.
-
jenn-1126316 June 2018I loved the first season and watched the entire 2nd season in 1 night. Can't wait for more!
-
mf281218 June 2018What the hell happened?!
The first series was excellent and I loved the courtroom drama side of it so was looking forward to seeing where they would take it. Right from the off it was obvious they were creating a brand new story for this season. But fair enough. I was willing to give it a go. Cracking additions to the cast as well, especially Mark Duplass. But this is now am absolute mess of a storyline that veers so far from what made the original so good. I've never seen a series go from the sublime to the ridiculous so quickly. They've turned it into a Hostel meets Breaking Bad and not a very good effort at that either. Very disappointed. Season 1 - 8 stars / Season 2 - 4 stars (and that's being generous) -
jolnugent19 June 2018I have rarely written a review of any of Amazon's customarily excellent original series even though I usuaIly enjoy them immensely, like last year's 1st season of Goliath. I am an attorney and relish an intelligent and suspenseful legal drama. I so looked forward to the 2d season of Billy Bob Thornton as the jaded lawyer who dropped out of the profession only to be wooed back by his need to help the underdog facing his too-smart, too powerful colleagues in the legal (and not so legal) profession. So I binge-watched the 8-episode 2d season as soon as it was released. In the end, I was very disappointed. Not by the plot, which kept my attention. Granted, there were a few things (relationships mostly) that were supposed to be real head-turners that I guessed at and figured out before I should have. I could have handled that and still enjoyed the series without the need to write this review, but what I found despicable was, first of all, the periodic dismemberment of living human beings and, second, tying that to a sexual fetish. It was unnecessary, superfluous, meant to shock the unsuspecting viewer, which it did the first time, though merely repelled the 2d, 3d and 4th times, but did nothing to move the plot forward. In my humble opinion, It detracted from what could have been, in the hands of perhaps more skilled writers, an excellent characr study. I actually wish I had not watched it.
-
lavatch22 April 2017Season One Review
This eight-part series was an engaging drama, and it was filmed with some excellent shots of Los Angeles. Billy Bob Thornton is outstanding in the role of Billy McBride, a has-been attorney who fell from grace and now seeks redemption through a high profile case involving conspiracy and crimes committed by both attorneys and industrialists.
This scenario is similar to Paul Newman's unforgettable portrayal of a washed up attorney in "The Verdict." In the miniseries format of "Goliath," there is a good set of characters and some lively courtroom intrigue.
The central villain of the series is the head of the law firm of Cooperman and McBride, who is Donald Cooperman (William Hurt). A weakness of the series was in the Cooperman character, a one-dimensional psychopath bent on taking revenge on Billy. But the series never specifies what exactly Billy had done to Cooperman to merit this vendetta.
Some of secondary characters were also poorly developed. The character of Brittany Gold was not quite believable in her exact relationship to Billy and why she would sell him out. The filmmakers had an obligation to make this clear. Another interesting character never fully developed was a priest who was clearly a pawn of either Cooperman or the Borns Tech group. But the filmmakers never disclosed the background on Father Anan. At one point, he was prepared to take the witness stand in the trial, but was never called. In an eight-hour series, there was surely the opportunity to provide the audience with basic expository details.
Still, the eight segments of "Goliath" were compelling drama. The standout characters were the oily lawyers: Callie, Michelle, and Lucy, who would stop at nothing to advance their careers. "Justice" was not a word in their limited collective vocabulary. But, somehow, that was the prime motivation of Billy McBride.
Season Two Review
For both seasons 1 & 2, the strength of the filmmaking in in an engrossing character study, good suspense, and outstanding location shooting in the Los Angeles area. Unfortunately, Season 2 lacked the courtroom suspense of season 1. There were not enough of the trial scenes where Billy McBride is in his element as a defense attorney.
Another turn-off in Season 2 was the excessive violence that involved a nefarious villain heading up a drug cartel, who is also an expert surgeon. The completely gratuitous and gory violence was off-putting and took away from the focus that should have been on Billy McBride.
In Season 2, Billy is reunited with his investigative team, Marva, Patty, and a repentant Brittany. His daughter Denise also returns to reside in a posh Santa Monica house purchased from the $50 million payout from Billy's Season 1 trial.
The most intriguing new character introduced is Marisol Silva, who is running for office as mayor of Los Angeles. Marisol begins an affair with Billy and plays dangerous game when the teenager named Julio whom she befriended has been accused of murder and Marisol seeks out Billy to assist the young man. Julio's father worked in the Easy Jay bar where Billy is a habitual patron, so Billy is fully on board with assisting the lad. But Marisol's political ambitions get conflated with a criminal element, unbeknownst to Billy.
The filmmakers dropped the ball in too many gloomy turns in the narrative and an overly bleak vision of human nature. The film is mainly worth seeing for the engaging Billy Bob Thornton in the role of Billy McBride. But, overall, Season 2 was a letdown from the compelling first season. -
ncjanvier9 October 2019As many have pointed out, season 1 was a more standard legal thriller with coherent story line and well-developed characters. Season 2 took a turn to the weird, which I thought made it more engaging and fascinating. Season 3 goes either further and takes it all to another level - absolutely brilliant. Thornton's acting is standout and, together with a wonderful supporting cast, has kept me engaged from start to finish. I should add I never watched any David Lynch stuff from the past, so it has been a real treat for me to see how weird the production can go and yet pull me further in. Unmissable. Please can we have season 4 (and 5)!