‘The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey’ review: Is this the Apple TV show people have been waiting for?

With the release of Apple TV+’s new series The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, it seems that the platform has found its latest romp to entertain its audience. The show revolves around a 93-year-old man named Ptolemy Grey (Samuel L. Jackson), who has a terrible case of dementia and is deeply saddened after a tragedy occurs within his family.

The series is based on the novel of the same name by Walter Mosely. Its dark and moody atmosphere gives a beautiful sense of vibrance inside Grey’s mind. However, it seems that the series could work just as well as a feature-length film.

Expand Tweet

Here’s why The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey maybe Apple TV+’s crowning achievement.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the views of the author.

‘Ptolemy Grey’ is brilliant, and so is Jackson’s performance in the show

Samuel L. Jackson as the title character (Image via Apple TV+)

Realizing that Samuel L. Jackson is an actor of magnificent feats, it’s not hard to predict that his performance as Grey would be anything short of phenomenal. His presence illuminates the audience as he flashes back and forth from his past life to his current life.

Grey is a tortured dementia patient whose condition worsens after the murder of his beloved nephew Reggie. Jackson portrays the character with such wisdom and grace that, after looking at the first two episodes, it seems nobody else could play the character to such a degree of virtuosity and tumultuous execution.

The show's themes are heartbreaking

Jackson in the series (Image via Apple TV+)

The show begins as a hopeless wasteland for Grey. After his nephew Reggie is shot, he is accosted by a woman that claims he owes her money. The protagonist is blindly robbed by Reggie's friend, who offers to take him to the bank.

Throughout the second episode, Grey is continually haunted by his nephew's death and the problematic past of growing up in a racially divided America. It quickly strikes a chord in the audience that Grey's trauma and deteriorating mental state are integral in the character's development.

The show is standard but sweet

Poster for the show (Image via Apple TV+)

Admittedly, the show is a standard foray into television and may succumb to cliche pitfalls. A lonely, old man who suffers from trauma is “saved” by youth, in this case, Robyn (Dominique Fishback), who helps him get his life back on track.

Despite these shortcomings, the story translates well for the audience and makes the most out of its production values and nostalgic themes of loss and passion. Its sentimental value is never diminished or discarded in favor of other components, and that’s what holds the series intact.