HBO's six-episode miniseries, The Plot Against America, offers a compelling and remarkably timely exploration of American fascism, diverging from historical reality through subtle yet devastating shifts. Unlike more overt alternate history narratives, this adaptation of Philip Roth's 2004 novel, helmed by The Wire collaborators David Simon and Ed Burns, imagines a United States where aviator Charles Lindbergh, who championed neutrality in World War II, wins the 1940 presidential election.
Lindbergh's presidency, characterized by growing antisemitism and closer ties with Nazi Germany, is depicted not through grand invasions, but through the insidious creep of prejudice at home. The series predominantly follows the Levin family, Jewish residents of Newark, New Jersey, as they navigate the increasingly hostile environment. The narrative unflinchingly portrays the sympathy for Nazi ideologies present in the 1940s, with Lindbergh's election emboldening groups like the Ku Klux Klan and leading to a surge in antisemitic incidents. A particularly striking element is the government's "Just Folks" program, designed to relocate Jewish children to rural families, highlighting the pressure to assimilate and abandon traditions.
John Turturro delivers a standout performance as Rabbi Lionel Bengelsdorf, Lindbergh's Jewish advisor. Bengelsdorf is portrayed as a slick proponent of Lindbergh's vision of "real America," a character whose eventual realization of his own precarious position is captivating to watch. The series also features a memorable scene depicting a rally for Walter Winchell, a vocal opponent of Lindbergh. When Lindbergh's supporters initiate violence, the police stand by until Winchell's fans defend themselves, a moment that resonates with subsequent events and the ongoing struggles against political intolerance.
Despite the dark themes, The Plot Against America is fundamentally a story of resilience and the enduring hope for an inclusive American dream. Family patriarch Herman Levin (Morgan Spector) embodies this spirit, refusing to flee the country despite growing threats. He clings to the belief that America is merely suffering through a temporary "fever," even as the encroaching antisemitism, exemplified by an unsettling trip to Washington D.C., makes the new reality impossible to ignore.
The series champions those who actively resist conformity and complicity. This resistance takes various forms, from the direct action of Herman's nephew Alvin (Anthony Boyle), who travels to Canada to fight the Nazis, to the smaller, yet equally significant, acts of kindness and protection offered to the Levin family. The narrative also illustrates the consequences of inaction, as one of Herman's sons succumbs to Bengelsdorf's propaganda.
The Plot Against America serves as a poignant reflection on the nation's ideals, showcasing both its highest aspirations and its deepest failings. It is a narrative about holding onto faith in democracy, free speech, and multiculturalism amidst rising insularity and intolerance. The miniseries mirrors contemporary inflection points as global orders shift, ultimately underscoring that the fight against fascism is a perpetual struggle, one that is often determined by the ballot box rather than through armed conflict.