As a movie buff with a keen eye for authenticity and a soft spot for character-driven stories set in Los Angeles, I must say that the television adaptation of “The Lincoln Lawyer” has truly captured my heart. The decision to cast Miguel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller and delve deeper into his Mexican-American heritage not only stays true to the books but also adds a richness and depth that was previously untapped in the film version.
In 2011, Matthew McConaughey starred in a moderately successful legal drama titled “The Lincoln Lawyer,” adapted from Michael Connelly’s 2005 novel and connected to the “Bosch” universe. Despite earning $87 million against a budget of $40 million and receiving favorable reviews, it failed to make a significant cultural impact and didn’t lead to any sequels or spin-offs. Therefore, it was unexpected when a TV adaptation of the same character’s story gained massive popularity on Netflix. The co-showrunner, writer, and executive producer of the series, Dailyn Rodriguez, discussed with MovieWeb why the TV portrayal aligns more closely with the original book character than the film could (due to no inherent flaws). She shared that:
In the novels, the character is portrayed as a man with Mexican and American white heritage, born to a Mexican mother and an Irish-American father from Los Angeles. As we chose Miguel Garcia-Rulfo, who is genuinely Mexican, certain changes were necessary in the character’s upbringing background, making them grow up in Mexico. However, what our adaptation can offer that the film couldn’t, is a deeper exploration of the character’s development and intricate details, allowing us to delve into some subtle aspects of the book.
The extended structure of the series allows it to portray Los Angeles as a significant character, mirroring classic crime dramas such as “The Big Sleep” and “The Long Goodbye,” referenced by Rodriguez and his team in their work. This extends to other iconic works like “Chinatown” and Michael Mann’s “Heat.” Rodriguez delves deeper into this aspect later on.
Mickey Haller and the Authentic Hispanic Connection to L.A.
The Lincoln Lawyer carries a distinctive cinematic impact, and its captivating portrayal of diversity and identity in relation to L.A. and the legal system sets it apart on modern television. As Rodriguez put it, ‘L.A.’s landscape is perfect for exploring identity intersections.’ This setting allows for deeper creative exploration. In the books, [Mickey] discusses his Mexican heritage but doesn’t speak Spanish fluently, a situation that is quite relatable among Chicanos. Therefore, we decided to adapt this aspect for better representation.
In the second series, we brought on board Lana Parrilla, who is of Puerto Rican and Italian descent but was portrayed as a character who didn’t learn Spanish because her parents wanted to assimilate. This provides us with a unique character, and we can further develop this by introducing a gardener with an accent, a tailor who fluently speaks Spanish, an FBI agent who is Dominican, bilingual, and based in L.A., as well as other characters. What I enjoy most about it is the opportunity to delve into various aspects of the Latina or Latinx experience in Los Angeles and America.
Rodriguez appreciates how “The Lincoln Lawyer” maintains its commitment to authentic diversity, making it both captivating drama and a reflection of the multicultural tapestry that is Los Angeles. He remarks, “Los Angeles thrives on diversity, so I believe we can create an authentic series without pushing an agenda.” The third season of “The Lincoln Lawyer” can be streamed now on Netflix. You can watch it here.
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2024-11-13 06:31