REVIEW: Under the Banner of Heaven (Mini Series)

This show certainly seems to be divisive. I've read that many LDS are upset at the depiction of their faith while at the same time some ex-Mormon's are claiming the day-to-day depictions of LDS life. Not being religious myself, I cannot speak on the accuracy of the religious portrayal, however, the events centered in the show are very much based on real-life events. 

SUMMARY

Under the Banner of Heaven is about two detectives investigation into a brutal murder of a woman, Brenda Lafferty, and her one year old baby. I don't view this as a spoiler since it is based off true events, but the two were murdered by Brenda's brother-in-laws. The Lafferty family were a well-known Mormon family, who, at first, seemed to be very religious but not fanatical. As the show continued, we delve further into the breaking down of two of the brothers in particular, Dan and Ron, played by Wyatt Russell and Sam Worthington. 

They start veering off from the mainstream LDS teaching and more towards the fundamentalist side. This particular sect is somewhat accurately portrayed as they believe in the practice of plural marriage and United Order. Both of these are not widely followed, not now, nor in the show. 

The show alternates between the hunt for the two brothers, the fall of the Lafferty family, as well as the origin of the LDS faith. There are historical event portrayed including the assassination of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young's rise, and the treatment of the Native American's in the area. This show is brutal but it doesn't only depict the negatives of LDS. Instead, it shows the main character, Jeb Pyre, played by Andrew Garfield, as a loving family man. I think it does somewhat accurately portray the mindset of many religious people when they realize that they witness eye opening events which changes their views. Even non religious people can empathize with him as he grapples with what he previously hadn't known. 

MY THOUGHTS    

My favorite character in the show is, in fact, not religious. Jeb's partner Taba, played by Gil Birmingham, was amazing. He was the perfect foil to Jeb, not in the classic good vs evil way, but in their lifestyles and approach to the case. Jeb, at first, was wary of anything that criticized his faith, where Officer Taba sees the case for exactly what it is. A brutal murder with religious meaning. 

Under the Banner of Heaven is an incredibly emotional show. As I said above, I'm not 100% certain how women are actually treated in the LDS church, or how they were treated in the 80s when this takes place, but I really connected with Brenda. Through a series of flashbacks we see her strength as a person as she continuously stands up to people who wrong her or wish less for her. Her boss, her husband, even her husbands family all try to force her dreams down. I am a huge crier so I'm not surprised in the least that when they showed her death that I broke down. Even facing her own death, knowing it was coming, she showed so much courage. As a whole I was really rooting for the women in the Lafferty family. There were triumphs and there were downfalls throughout the whole book. 

The underlying plot is extremely compelling and the acting is fantastic. Much of the cast are using accents that are not native to them and I only heard one or two slip ups. I loved the format as well. Nonlinear storylines are some of my favorite and I think that the use of them in this show led to the perfect pacing. I really enjoyed this mini-series as a whole, and based on what I've already watched this year, I can tell that it will be one of my favorites.