A modern-day Bonnie and Clyde decide to team up with an eccentric computer genius and long-time con man to pull off bigger and more daring heists. This is director and writer Alonge Hawes’ web series Silver & Gold.
Silver & Gold is an original web series that explores the lives of two cunning thieves, their collaborators, and their journey through the criminal underworld of Atlanta. The first 6 episodes here boast a large cast and a fairly engaging plot-line that should just be enough to keep you interested in the outcome from beginning to end.
Our criminal masterminds, Charles Goldar (played by Quentin Williams) and Bahiya Payne (played by Brittaney Traylor), are the heart and soul of the series and also a perfect match for each other. They are both charming, intelligent, competitive, and ruthless. They are also in love, however, their love is tested when they decide to team up with Cierra Valentine and Sosa Gerena, two other criminals who are just as crafty as they are. Williams and Payne both deliver enjoyable performances that showcase their talent and range as actors; their chemistry and witty banter make for an entertaining dynamic and this partnership helps to drive the plot.
As the episodes move forward the addition of Valentine (played by Shani Hawes) and Sosa Gerena (played by Roberto Cruz Jr) to the criminal group adds an interesting dynamic to the series. Hawes’s portrayal of an eccentric computer genius is both amusing and endearing, while Cruz Jr’s stoic portrayal of a con man adds a layer of complexity to an otherwise two-dimensional character. The collaboration between the four of them works well, and their interactions are a genuine highlight of the series.
A number of influences can be spotted in Silver & Gold, with nods to Spike Lee and Guy Ritchie very apparent. There are freeze frames and quick edits and also later on mild history lessons. One of the best features is the matter-of-fact way Hawes deals with the heist scenes. There is no intricate planning and execution of each crime, they are very simple yet satisfying to watch, and in this sense come across as more realistic than those that rely on huge set pieces to make their mark. The series does an excellent job of calmly building tension and then creating a sense of jeopardy during the crimes, making for a very relatable viewing experience.
Surrounding the episodes’ incidents, the series delves a little into the personal lives of the characters and the moral complexities that come with a life of crime. This refreshing take on the heist genre adds a bit more depth and a little substance to the story.
The setting of Atlanta and parts of its criminal underworld add an interesting layer to the series, with the cinematography by Joshua Dennard managing to help the locations serve as characters in their own right. Dennard also does a decent job of capturing the grittiness of the criminal underworld and also the brightness of the town, helping immerse viewers in the world of the show.
Thanks to the script, also by Alonge Hawes, the series explores themes of fidelity, trust, and betrayal. With characters facing difficult decisions that test their loyalty to each other as well as their own moral compass. It’s a testament to the writing and performances that these themes are explored in such a nuanced and compelling way.
Overall, despite a number of technical and continuity errors, I enjoyed the first 6 episodes of Silver & Gold. It’s a well-crafted series that is sure to entertain fans of crime dramas, thrillers, and romance. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good show to watch.
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