Review: Waco Is In A League Of Its Own
- Apr 14, 2018
- 2 min read
2018 marks the 25th anniversary of the disastrous Waco Siege involving the FBI, ATF and the religious group known as the Branch Davidians. To commemorate the event, we got Waco, what is easily one of the most interesting true crime stories around.
February 28, 1993. Waco, Texas. In an attempt to regain reputation after the events at Ruby Ridge less than 12 months earlier, the ATF comes down on the compound of David Koresh (Taylor Kitsch), a religious leader content to exist within his own world. Following a raid that resulted in several dead and wounded on either side, the FBI take over the situation. Negotiator Agent Gary Noesner (Michael Shannon) makes contact with Koresh and attempts to talk him out, all while playing a careful balancing act with the Hostage Rescue Team, led by Mitch Decker (Shea Wigham) and the zealotry of the Davidians. Thus begins a 51 day standoff between the law of man, and the law of God.
From the outset, Waco makes it apparent that it intends to tell both sides of the story, and this makes it infinitely more interesting. What could have been a pro-law enforcement story about the qualities of SWAT teams, psyops and heavy armour instead becomes a tale of contrasts. On one hand, the Davidians, simply living their quiet, if unorthodox, lives, and on the other, the FBI's need to end a siege with as little conflict as possible, whatever the cost. And as everything slowly begins to unwind, leading to inevitable disaster, it's riveting.
Kitsch delivers what is easily his best performance, by a long shot. Best known for less than stellar work in everything from X-Men Origins to Battleship, here he proves that he is a truly competent actor, and I hope to see more from him in the years to come. Shannon, unsurprisingly, does equally well, and while it may not be his most memorable role, there's nothing to complain about. While nothing to complain about would be a positive outcome, Waco goes beyond that. With its many perspectives from very different people with varying goals, and its dedication to telling the whole story, it's compelling stuff to say the least.
If you enjoy true crime, then Waco is the show for you. If you don't, there's still an excellent piece of work here. In a year set to feature several excellent TV shows, it seems like Waco will stand head and shoulders above the rest.
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