Aarcflick

 While much attention is paid to the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Panther Party has not been as closely examined in popular culture. Apple TV+’s “The Big Cigar” is adapted from Joshuah Bearman’s 2012 article of the same name. (Bearman also wrote the 2007 article on which the 2012 Ben Affleck film “Argo” was based.) The series revolves around the 1974 escape to Cuba of Black Panther Party co-founder Huey P. Newton ( a precisely calibrated André Holland).  The miniseries highlights his political work within the organization and the systems and decisions that led him to flee the country. Since the show focuses on Newton's departure from Los Angeles to Havana for four weeks under the guise of a film production, the truly fascinating aspects of his legacy are barely touched on. Despite stellar acting, detailed set design, and an electric musical score, “The Big Cigar” never finds solid footing because the center of Newton's story is not in focus. Creators: Jim Hecht, Janine She...