Set in the beautiful Florida keys and about a wealthy, privileged family of the area, Bloodline is a well crafted series from Netflix that slowly burns with story and outstanding performances all around.  We’re shown in the first episode a conclusion of sorts without any explanation and the rest of the series is the story of how all of this happens.  When I say that the series “slowly burns” I really mean it, at times it feels like we’re crawling towards a finish line but what really sets this series apart is the work that is done by an impressive ensemble cast.

Sissy Spacek and Sam Shepard play the Rathburn parents who own and operate a seemingly historic hotel and resort in the town they have inhabited and are an institution.  Everyone in the area knows the Rathburns, they’re a pillar of the community and stand for something as their hotel is looked upon as an important business.  The Rathburn children have all grown up to become members of that same community.  Linda Cardellini, who plays the youngest sibling Meg, is a prominent attorney and involved with the family business.  Norbert Leo Butz, who plays Kevin, is impetuous and working at the local marina while his marriage slowly falls apart.  All of these actors acquit themselves right with their parts and each is given some pretty juicy material to work with even though a few of the story lines feel familiar and conventional, each actor is skilled enough to pull out the best from their work and are engaging.  The two standouts are the two older brothers whose relationship really makes the series and drives the drama.  Kyle Chandler plays John and Ben Mendelsohn plays Danny, both are so fantastic in their roles and their conflict is central to the plot.

We find that when John and Danny were kids there was an incident and the decisions made and the aftermath have shaped their lives and the entire future of this family.  John has grown into a principled and rational adult, he’s a detective for the police department and a family man.  Danny however has become the black sheep of the family, leaving and constantly jumping from one place to another and trouble follows.  As the family all comes together for a celebration of their legacy the old conflicts rise to the surface and decisions are once again made that will transform the Rathburns.  The series is structured smartly so we’re given glimpses of the aftermath of these decisions yet need to be filled in as to how we got there.  Along with the impressive acting is the cinematography as this is one of the most beautifully shot series I’ve seen with luscious and vibrant colors and panoramic, sweeping shots of the areas.  In the end though the series relies and thrives on the acting talents of Chandler and Mendelsohn.  Both are excellent here and the scenes they share are electric and exciting without being showy.  We feel the weight of their decisions in their interactions and understand that no matter how hard they try, it hangs over them, one like an anchor and one like a guillotine.