Here at FandomWire, we review the new Peacock film Bosco, and the article is spoiler-free.
The Peacock original movie Bosco is a tough watch but an enlightening one. The film shines a light on how the prison system has abandoned the rehabilitation part of the equation in the penitentiary system. Not to mention, mandatory minimum drug laws are stacked against minority communities.
Cloak & Dagger star Aubrey Joseph plays Quawnta “Bosco” Adams, a new resident of a Los Angeles prison serving a 35-year sentence. Initially, we didn’t know why Quawnta was there. His prison cell neighbor, The Bull (Disturbing the Peace’s John Lewis), thinks he gunned down Tupac Shakur.
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Peacock’s Bosco Synopsis and Review
Based on the memoir Chasin’ Freedom, on his first day in prison, Adams learns he’s going to be a father. He receives the news from the supervisor correctional officer, Hunt (a very good Thomas Jane). The guard on duty, Ramos (Theo Rossi), tasers Adams for his response.
Moving forward, Adams cleverly figures out ways to sneak in supplies to break out of the facility. That includes help from Tammy (an unrecognizable Nikki Blonsky from Hairspray fame), a woman Adams meets while answering her personal ad, this being pre-Tinder.
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Aubrey Joseph gives a raw, powerful performance in Peacock’s Bosco
However, Nicholas Manuel Pino’s script for his first feature keeps the reason for Quawnta’s excessive sentence under wraps until the third act. This allows the movie to become more powerful. Joseph is bright, figuring out ways to pull an Andy Dufresne. This would seem outrageous, except it’s based on actual events.
Pino’s script does an effective job of pacing the story with subplots of the inhumane treatment of the prisoners. These involve withholding medication, psychological mind games that lean on the personal, and illegally restricting detainees. The central theme throughout the film summed up in a raw and powerful scene, is that Adams digs deep to prevent himself from “breaking.”
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Is Peacock’s Bosco Worth Watching?
Peacock’s Bosco is worth streaming for the raw, powerful performance by the lead, Aubrey Joseph. His turn works on two levels. In the layered flashbacks, Joseph’s Adams deals with his parents (played by Vivica A. Fox and Tyrese). One is hope and desperation. The other, in prison, is of eye-opening and soul-stirring resilience and dignity.
Pino’s assured direction highlights this, creating a visceral feeling of spending long, endless hours in small, confined spaces. While this film is a relatively straightforward biographical picture, one cannot argue the modern relevance of antiquated laws slanted toward those who need assistance, which led to Adam’s compelling story that has no easy answers.
What did you think of the film Bosco? Let us know in the comments below!
You can stream the film Bosco only on Peacock
Grade: 6/10
