HBO’s adaptation of “The Sympathizer” struggles to capture the nuanced depth of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel on which it is based. The series follows the unnamed protagonist, a Vietnamese refugee living in the U.S. as a communist agent and adviser on a Hollywood film that resembles “Apocalypse Now.” The show’s lack of subtlety and tendency to take references too far hampers its ability to convey the novel’s sharp edges and biting satire. While visually appealing and well-acted, the series falls short in translating the book’s powerful commentary on war and storytelling.
The protagonist, played by Hoa Xuande, shines as the breakout star of the show, supported by a talented ensemble cast that includes Sandra Oh and Fred Nguyen Khan. Robert Downey Jr.’s multiple roles serve as a fun commentary on white colonizers, but his stunt casting can become distracting and detract from the overall narrative. The series struggles to convey the protagonist’s internal struggles with dual identities and feelings of not fitting in, often relying on heavy-handed dialogue and visual cues to convey themes present in the novel.
Despite its shortcomings, the series offers visibility for a story that may reach a wider audience than the novel itself. In an era of Hollywood reboots and sequels, adapting a groundbreaking novel from an acclaimed Asian American author like Viet Thanh Nguyen offers a fresh perspective. However, the watering down of the source material’s complexity and nuanced storytelling in the adaptation is a disappointing aspect of the series. The irony of a story about the complexities of war narratives being flattened in its adaptation is a reflection of Hollywood’s tendencies.
The series captures the visual essence of the 1970s and pays homage to films like “Apocalypse Now” and “Taxi Driver.” However, it struggles to convey the interiority and depth of the novel, which relies heavily on written text to convey its message. The framing device of the protagonist’s written confession, a central element of the book, proves challenging to convey visually without being overly blunt. While it may not be feasible to perfectly translate every aspect of a novel to the screen, finding a balance between faithfulness to the original material and creative adaptation is crucial in creating a successful adaptation.
