"The Rainmaker": A Glossy Veneer on USA Network

"The Rainmaker", the newest drama on the USA Network offers a glossy narrative filled with glossy characters navigating potentially life-changing events such as betrayal, murder, and the high cost of ambition. Modelled on its network’s aesthetic, the show features beautiful people engaged in dramatic situations, all while trying to maintain a delicate balance between style and narrative substance.

The dynamic between the two leads, Milo Callaghan and Madison Iseman, feels a bit flat and less than authentic. Nonetheless, the actors deliver their performances admirably, considering they do so under the shadow of renowned director Francis Ford Coppola and acclaimed actor, Matt Damon. Unfortunately, the romantic connection between the two leads is less than convincing and definitely requires more development.

Adapted from John Grisham's novel and featuring Grisham himself as an executive producer, the series has a tendency to play fast and loose with the details of the legal landscape. But the central case-a grieving mother accusing a hospital of causing her recovering addict son's death-forms an engaging centrepiece.

Despite the show's obvious procedural hiccups and missteps, there's much to enjoy. Action scenes unfold efficiently, driven by strong pacing, a supportive soundtrack, and dynamic camera work. Further, the show boasts a seasoned supporting cast who envelop their characters wholeheartedly. Lana Parrilla shines as Jocelyn ‘Bruiser’ Stone, Rudy’s assertive boss, and John Slattery offers an exceptional performance as a manipulative partner in the opposing law firm.

While “The Rainmaker” leans more towards providing entertainment rather than creating a larger dialogue about issues prevalent in the modern world-such as the opioid crisis, or the workings of the health insurance industry-the show does offer an engaging and leisurely watch. In a time of uncertainty, watching a series that offers a safe and removed narrative might just be the remedy many viewers need to unwind. Premiers on August 15th.