The Plot Against America Review: It Can't Happen Here... Or Could It?

"The Plot Against America" is a six part mini series currently available on HBO. It's based on a 2004 Philip Roth novel which won the James Fenimore Cooper Prize for Best Historical Fiction.

In this alternate version of history, world famous aviator and war hero Charles Lindberg defeats FDR in 1940 to become President. He is voted in on his "America First" platform and the promise of keeping the US out of WWII. Problem is, he's a big old racist. Another IRL anti Semite Henry Ford serves in his Cabinet. On the other side we have anti- Fascist radio host Walter Winchell.

The Levins are a Jewish family living in Newark, NJ. There's father Herman (who is a staunch Democrat), wife Bess and kids-- Sandy (a gifted artist), and 10 year old Philip (a surrogate for the author). There's also Herman's nephew Alvin (who initially lives with them).

We also meet Bess' sister Evelyn Finkel (played by the always wonderful Winona Ryder). She takes cares of their ailing mother. Evelyn is having an affair with a married man but eventually realizes he has no plans of leaving his wife. She meets Rabbi Lionel Bengelsdorf and they marry. The Rabbi is a firm support of Lindberg. This causes much friction in the Jewish community and between Evelyn and her sister's family.

Bess becomes concerned for their safety and gets the family on a waiting list to immigrate to Canada. Alvin joins the Canadian army and loses a leg in battle. When he returns home, the FBI begins to follow him. Evelyn signs up the Levins for "Homestead 42" (which is an expansion of Bengelsdorf's "Just Folks" program). Entire Jewish families are relocated as a result.

Things begin to heat up after Walter Winchell is assassinated in Louisville, KY. Alvin is working with a group of spies trying to take down Lindberg. The aviator's plane vanishes from radar. Acting President Wheeler instates martial law and orders many prominent Jews (including Bengelsdorf) arrested. Bengelsdorf says the Nazis kidnapped Lindberg's child and are holding him for ransom. No one believes him. Evelyn feels she will be arrested or killed by the authorities. She runs to Bess to help but is spurned based on her previously actions. The First Lady is released from a mental hospital (where Wheeler had her sent). She tries to restore law and order by giving a radio address. But the cat's out the bag and Fascism has already taken root. The series ends at election time. It quickly becomes evident that voter fraud is rampant as voting boxes are loaded onto trucks and the results burned.

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). "The Plot Against America" is a "slow burn" at times. Don't let that discourage you. Over the course of 2 years (1940-42) we see Fascism take over America. First, its just rumors. Eventually all hell breaks lose.

The actors are all on point. Standouts include Winona Ryder as Evelyn and John Turturro as Rabbi Bengelsdorf. The set design and costumes are also excellent.

There are naturally comparisons between "The Plot Against America" and Amazon's "The Man In The High Castle". Both are alt-history series. The later is a much more ambitious series covering several seasons. "The Man" has a very large cast and spans groups on both coasts. "The Plot" focuses mainly on the Levin family and has only six episodes. Each gives us a shocking glimpse of what our present and future could be like. Are there shocking acts of violence in both? Definitely, yes. But the scariest part might be the people that turn a blind eye to events because they have nothing to do with them... until they do. Frightening stuff!