The Big Cigar Story :-
The narrative traces the life of Huey P. Newton, depicting his escape to Cuba to evade prosecution for murder. Assisted by Bert Schneider, the Hollywood producer renowned for Easy Rider, alongside several other celebrity radicals, Newton found refuge abroad.
The Big Cigar Release Date, Trailer, Songs, Cast
| Release Date | 17 May 2024 |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Biography, Drama, History |
| Episode | 6 |
| Cast | André Holland, Tiffany Boone, Alessandro Nivola, Marc Menchaca, P. J. Byrne |
| Director | Don Cheadle |
| Writer | Jim Hecht, Janine Sherman Barrois, Laurence Andries, Gwendolyn M. Parker, Valerie Woods, Ameer Hasan, Joshuah Bearman |
| Cinematography | Suki Medencevic, Miroslaw Baszak, Carmen Cabana |
| Producer | Janine Sherman Barrois, Joshuah Bearman, Don Cheadle, Joshua Davis, Jim Hecht, Arthur Spector |
| Production | Folding Chair Productions, Epic Pictures, Warner Bros. Television |
| Certificate | 16+ |
The Big Cigar Review :-
Although the Civil Rights Movement garners significant attention, the Black Panther Party remains relatively unexplored in popular culture. Apple TV+’s “The Big Cigar,” adapted from Joshuah Bearman’s 2012 article of the same name (also known for his work on the article that inspired Ben Affleck’s film “Argo”), sheds light on the lesser-known narrative of Black Panther Party co-founder Huey P. Newton. The series delves into Newton’s 1974 escape to Cuba, showcasing his political activism within the organization and the circumstances that led to his departure from the country. However, while the show follows Newton’s four-week journey from Los Angeles to Havana, it fails to fully explore the captivating facets of his legacy. Despite commendable acting, meticulous set design, and a captivating musical score, “The Big Cigar” struggles to find its footing due to its lack of focus on Newton’s central story.
Directed by Don Cheadle, Episode 1, “Panther/Producer,” provides a brief overview of the Black Panther Party’s inception. Newton, serving as the narrator, reflects on the contradictions of his life, the motivations behind founding the Panthers with Bobby Seale in 1966, and the fabricated murder charge that ultimately prompted his decision to flee the United States eight years later.
After being released from prison in 1970, Newton crosses paths with movie producer Bert Schneider (played by Alessandro Nivola) and his close friend and business partner, Steve Blauner (portrayed by P. J. Byrne). Intrigued by the growing “Free Huey” campaign following Newton’s 1967 arrest for the alleged killing of a police officer, Schneider envisions a biopic of Newton starring comedian Richard Pryor (played by Inny Clemons) as his next project. Despite Newton’s initial hesitation, he is swayed by Schneider’s determination and the significant financial support he offers to the Panther’s survival programs. Although the proposed movie never materializes, a bond forms between Newton, his girlfriend Gwen Fontaine (played by Tiffany Boone), and Schneider, leading them to seek refuge at Schneider’s doorstep four years later, evading the LAPD.
Across six episodes, the series delves into how Blauner and Schneider orchestrate an escape plan for Newton under the guise of a faux film titled “The Big Cigar.” However, this month-long escapade, riddled with mishaps, emerges as one of the less captivating aspects of the activist’s life. While much of the narrative focuses on Newton’s journey by foot, plane, car, and boat, brief flashbacks touch upon his upbringing, the founding of the Black Panthers, and his conflicts with figures like Bobby Seale (played by Jordane Christie) and Eldridge Cleaver (portrayed by Brenton Allen).
Although the series hints at Newton’s struggles with drug use and paranoia, these themes remain on the periphery. The show barely scratches the surface of Newton’s deteriorating mental health and addiction, exacerbated by his isolation in prison and constant FBI surveillance under Agent Sydney Clark (played by Marc Menchaca). Despite Tiffany Boone’s commendable performance, her character Gwen Fontaine is relegated to a supportive role, offering little depth to her portrayal. Similarly, the contributions of female Black Panther leaders like Teressa Dixon (played by Moses Ingram) receive scant exploration in the narrative.
The series maintains a rapid pace throughout, yet Episode 5, titled “Lost Paradise,” stands out as the strongest in “The Big Cigar” due to its more deliberate tempo. It offers additional insights into the incident and arrest that compelled Newton to flee, shedding light on his complex relationship with his father, Walter (played by Glynn Turman), which served as a driving force behind his quest to challenge the status quo for Black Americans.
Despite the significance of Newton’s escape to Cuba, “The Big Cigar” fails to convey the heightened urgency and gravity of the situation. Moreover, the depth of Newton and Schneider’s friendship remains unclear. Schneider’s decision to assist Newton, motivated partly by his own dissatisfaction as a wealthy Hollywood figure, comes across as somewhat self-congratulatory, verging into the territory of a paternalistic savior narrative.
Huey P. Newton was a figure of considerable complexity, and his impact on the Black Panther Party and the broader Black Power Movement cannot be overstated. However, “The Big Cigar” primarily focuses on a singular event, with Hollywood playing a prominent supporting role, leaving much of Newton and the Panthers’ legacy unexplored. This omission prompts viewers to question the intended audience and purpose of the series.
