AVERAGE

As the colonies are fighting against the United Kingdom for independence, Benjamin Franklin (Michael Douglas) arrives in Paris together with his young grandson (Noah Jupe), hoping to build an alliance with the French.

An ambitious miniseries, co-written by Kirk Ellis of John Adams fame, that details Franklin’s attempt to charm his French hosts into aiding the Americans, eventually leading up to the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

Many of the ingredients help make Franklin worth watching, including costumes, music and Douglas, but one’s attention wanders as much of the lengthy runtime is devoted to talky intrigues.

2024-U.S. 463 min. Color. Directed by Tim Van Patten. Teleplay: Kirk Ellis, Howard Korder. Book: Stacy Schiff (”A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France and the Birth of America”). Cinematography: David Franco. Music: Jay Wadley. Costume Design: Olivier Bériot. Cast: Michael Douglas (Benjamin Franklin), Noah Jupe (William Temple Franklin), Daniel Mays (Edward Bancroft), Ludivine Sagnier, Thibault de Montalembert, Assaad Bouab, Eddie Marsan. 

Trivia: Originally shown in eight episodes. Co-executive produced by Douglas and Van Patten.