Hats and Cats
The Charm of White Collar
White Collar is a show I could not dare to miss. No, never. It’s not always easy for me to fall in love with a TV show. Due to a tight working schedule I simply don’t have time to watch a lot and thus need to be picky. It was simply impossible to not watch White Collar – as this show with its endearing characters has charmed me in every sense of the word. And I haven’t been able to resist its appeal. Nor would I ever try to – because if I did, I would miss one of the most entertaining TV serials out there.
Dear gentle folk of Newport ,
Or maybe I should say hats and cats
I want you to lend an ear
Because, well, I want you to hear
Some really shimmering sharps and flats
(Now You Has Jazz)
White Collar is Jazz. Fast. Energetic. Playful. Hot. The Historical Dictionary of American Slang suggests that the expression jazz derives from the outdated term jasm which means vigour, spirit or energy. When I watch White Collar I see nothing but. And just as Jazz is hard to define, so is White Collar.
Is it a procedural cop show? A buddy movie? An educational film about how to plan the definitive con? Yes. All of that and more. Apart from the story and the fun it provides, White Collar is also the best possible advertisement the effervescent city of New York could get. I’ve rarely seen the city photographed so beautifully, serving the show just perfectly.
White Collar a perfectly composed piece of music and yet it remains (or rather has the skill to appear) spontaneous and lively while leaving room for interpretation and improvisation.
A skilled jazz performer will take a melody and interpret it in various ways, striving to never play a piece in exact the same way. But not only his individual interpretation keeps a tune alive – it’s also his interaction with other musicians, his state of mind, his experience, his skill as a performer that define his style and yet allow it to appear modifiable.
In this show, each actor is such a skilled performer, and the well-defined scripts allow them to bring White Collar’s music to life, in a manner I cannot resist. In a way still obscure to myself I feel reminded of a Frank Sinatra record (on infinite loop) and Louis Armstrong’s swinging Dixie (and, come on, the dog was named Satchmo!)
For these cosy virtuosi,
Just about the greatest in the trade
Are fixing to show you now,
Precisely how,
Jazz music is made
(Now You Has Jazz)
You see, the White Collar jazz band consists of fabulous, “cosy” performers. The main characters – Neal Caffrey, Peter Burke, Mozzie, Elizabeth Burke, Clinton Jones, Diana Barrigan. June and Sara Ellis are endearing, good-hearted people. Yes, Neal is a slick con man, our highly intelligent braniac Mozzie handles his life very well by finding perfect con methods – but despite their struggles with the law, I am convinced that – at their core – they are loyal and actually quite honourable men.
So, what’s it all about? There’s no easy answer to that.
Once upon a time Neal met Peter. And Peter ran into Neal. Neal Caffrey, passionate, well-read and self-educated Rat-Pack lad with a knack for art – and the art of replicating it. A man capable of becoming a shadow, a skilled John Robie, and, above all, a deeply emotional soul. Who else but a hopeful romantic would break out of prison shortly before he was going to be released anyhow? Neal does exactly that. For the most classic and clichéd of reasons: love. But, unfortunately, Kate, the woman of his heart, is gone and Neal left heartbroken.
In this state he is found – again – by Peter Burke, FBI agent extraordinaire, the only man who had been capable of finding the young master criminal before. Thanks to his con man skills, Neal is able to give Peter vital information to solving a case he’s currently working on and thus buys his freedom…well, sort of. Neal is given restricted latitude: to become a consultant with the FBI, he is obliged to wear an effective piece of federal jewellery, a tracking anklet.
His considerable charm and good character soon allow him to move into the house of lovely widow June who graciously offers him her late husband’s exclusive attire (being enchanted by the fact that someone actually appreciates the beautiful clothes of such designers like the ‘tailor to the stars’, Sy Devore, the odd Burberry (I’m quite certain I spotted a coat) and I wouldn’t be surprised if there were some Brioni and Armani suits among them. They just make the most beautiful clothes for men… oh, and of course the gorgeous fedora hats… My father used to wear them with passion. I have to admit, I often wonder why men rarely wear such hats anymore. They’re classy and … they’re sexy. Perhaps a renaissance of that style is in order…forgive me, kind readers, that kind of men’s fashion always gets to me…
Well, you take some skins
Jazz begins
Then you take a bass
Man, now we’re getting’ someplace
(Now You Has Jazz)
Well, having found a classy accommodation to suit his exclusive tastes, Neal is more than ready to do his work for the FBI – and even manages to whet Peter’s appetite for Italian espresso. “The good life…full of fun seems to be the ideal…” as wonderful Tony Bennett once sang so unforgettably… “Mmm, the good life lets you hide all the sadness you feel…”
There is quite some sadness behind the lovely face of Neal Caffrey. A broken heart, thoroughly devastated after Kate dies. The most unlikely, and yet the best possible, friend at his side is Peter Burke.
Peter, a man happily married to charming Elizabeth, is convinced that an honest life is achievable, even for a man as skilled in the art of knavery as Neal is, and Peter gives him credit of trust, despite never forgetting Neal’s dark side. But because of that trust and the empathy Neal is given by Peter and his wife, some wounds are allowed to heal… at least a little.
Together they take on various white collar criminals in a kind of avant-garde, but very thriving partnership. At one point they recover a healing Bible, uncover a transplant organization’s illegal activities, or celebrate their own revival of The Sting in typical White Collar style, while recurring themes remain Neal’s search for Kate or, later, for her killer and the circumstances attached to that, including a mysterious amber box and a lost Nazi treasure in a German World War II U-Boot (and in all likelihood Wolfgang Petersen had a hand in it, ha…)
The buddy-movie quality (which sometimes comes up in reminiscence of Redford/Newman or Gibson/Glover) is enhanced by their “co-workers”, be it Peter’s smart wife Elizabeth, Peter’s trusted and trustworthy assistants Diana Barrigan and Clifton Jones or Neal’s old friend Mozzie who is a planet of his own.
Mozzie is one of the most likeable characters in this series. Abandoned as a baby and growing up in an orphanage, he made the best of his abilities: endowed with an incredible brain he soon learned to be a quite infallible con-man. Alas, he picked up some unfortunate traits along the way – Mozzie is a paranoid conspiracy theorist, lacks some necessary people skills, owns a couple of OCDs and probably a combined, yet benign, personality disorder. But he’s one of the best assets Neal has and proves to add important facets even to the FBI when it comes to investigation. More than once Mozzie delivers vital information, thus becoming a part of the circle that adds to Neal’s and Peter’s relationship.
It’s not an entirely smooth relationship. Various times Peter’s confidence in Neal is shaken, sometimes to the brink of becoming irreparable, in particular when Neal gets involved with that Nazi treasure the two men drift apart, hardly perceivable at first. Inspired and motivated by Mozzie, Neal sees a way to – perhaps – start a new life, be free (literally) and leave his entire old self behind, including the pain that still owns a place in his soul. We don’t know, yet, whether Neal’s and Peter’s friendship was severely damaged. Even though Neal decides to stay in New York and let Mozzie and the treasure go, it is not the end to that part of the story.
Take a spot,
Cool and hot
Now you has jazz, jazz, jazz
(Now You Has Jazz)
I don’t know the criteria the casting directors applied, but I’ve rarely found a show where each and every one of the main characters are endearing.
Matt Bomer plays Neal Caffrey in a beautifully understated way, with elements of a young Cary Grant, Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra and Steve McQueen. He is indeed the cat’s meow. A lovely cad and a gentleman in the best sense of the word – and also according to Oscar Wilde’s definition: “A gentleman is one who is never unintentionally rude”. He’s an educated, dashing man you have to fall in love with. What I admire greatly is Neal’s grace which he never loses, not even under the kind of pressure that might crush a lesser man. A well working brain is immensely sexy. And, of course, a handsome exterior doesn’t hurt, either. Mr Bomer seems to possess both in abundance. The moment he appears on screen you can’t look elsewhere – he captures your eyes and your heart in an instant. Oh, kind readers, please allow me a fan girl moment here…
His profoundly enchanting and intensely charming presence adds a classic cinematic quality to this TV series, and he seems to glow with a passion for his craft. Alas, if this was only a pretty face, this actor and this show would not have had to the success they have. Mr Bomer is a beautiful man, yes, and he is an even better actor. I could easily imagine him playing swashbuckling roles of Errol Flynn and dramatic, intense ones of Spencer Tracy. I don’t know Mr Bomer, of course, but what I’ve seen of him in interviews or in the making-ofs on the dvds, I’d wager he’s a nice, gracious and polite man, and without those qualities Neal Caffrey would not be the iconic figure he’s surely about to become – since White Collar is already a classic… an elegant, alluring piece of TV entertainment.
It’s been wonderful for me to see Mr Bomer grow within the story of White Collar. He added more depth to Neal Caffrey and has been astounding in season 3 so far – the ambivalence of the character (will he head back to his con days and run away with the treasure? Or will he decide to stay in New York where he has a home, friends, basically a family – and maybe a woman to share it with?) and subtle darkness that goes with it was marvellously played out by Matt Bomer. I stand in awe. And expect to see much more of this talented man in the future.
His partner in crime, ahem, in justice… ahem… is the fabulous Tim DeKay. And I still can’t believe the immense and strong chemistry these guys have on screen. I haven’t seen Mr DeKay before White Collar, but I’ll be surely watching everything he does from now on. His Peter Burke is the kind of man I’d trust with my life in an instant. He’s honest and honourable, the man you’d want to have at your side in time of need. He won’t let you down. Never. Mr DeKay plays the decent FBI agent with delightful verve and a remarkable sense of humour and timing. I believe the most important skill an actor needs is the capability to listen to his co-actors. If you don’t listen, you won’t be able to react accordingly and authentically. It’s a joy to see how Tim DeKay listens. He’s always there, in each moment of each scene, and I believe every word he says. And, well, he’s such a charming man. That doesn’t hurt, does it?
Furthermore, I am captivated by Peter Burke’s warmth and sweetness. Though I’d want to be a lady’s version of Neal Caffrey (and, of course go out with Neal, come on, who am I trying to fool?), Peter Burke is the man I’d like to come home to, were I a part of the White Collar universe. I’m weird like that. When my friends swooned over Han Solo, I rooted for Luke Skywalker. Despite having been exposed to a special set of environment tinted with brutality, murder and deceit, Peter Burke has remained a deeply sensitive, caring and brave individual, a man who does what he can. Romain Rolland once stated: “A hero is the one who does what he can. The others don’t.” Well, Peter, like it or not, you are a hero, in the best sense of the word.
Another most unlikely hero is my third favourite character, Mozzie. Thank the Gods for Willie Garson! He moves through all of Mozzie’s world with panache and delightful awkwardness as if he’s never been anything else but a highly intelligent crook. And, yet, he’s not a villain. Mr Garson brings such a rich history to the character that you feel that you understand him – and still you don’t. The many facets of Mozzie puzzle me and make me want to know more, much more about that guy.
I love Mozzie with the warmth I would love a teddy bear (forgive me), though this one has, of course, teeth and he bites – in particular with his brain. And he reminds me of something Errol Flynn once said: “the most interesting people are not those who are realized or rich and famous, but the strugglers who are on their way up, who are alert, full of thought and of striving – they are the ones that add the verve in conversation and life.”
You’d never have a dull moment with Mozzie. He functions from minute to minute, simultaneously aware of more details than I can imagine. Gosh, I’d love to play a nice game of chess with him. In all likelihood, I’d lose, but the treat would still be wondrous. Playing chess, discussing literature, poetry, art, history and fine cuisine… ah, yes, book me a ticket to that play.
And I need to thank the writers (and the casting crew) for the wonderful ladies they have brought to the show. Elizabeth, June, Sara, Alex, Diana… This is a show that also celebrates a woman’s mind and strength. How often has Elizabeth had a vital idea to help the guys solve a case? She the one without whom Peter would not be able to do his job. He needs her to bring a healthy balance to his life, but she’s more than just the woman ‘in the back’. She’s an integral part of his life, be it private or professional. I could go on about these fabulous women, but I’d say it’s a topic for another article.
From the East out to the West
Jazz is king
‘Cause jazz is the thing
Folks dig best…
(Now You Has Jazz)
Thank you for reading, kind readers, I hope you enjoyed this. On a personal note, I’d like to dedicate this article to Bonnie. Dear, had you not told me once to check out White Collar (quite a while back), I would have missed the feel-good TV show out there. Thank you ever so much for that.
No copyright infringement was intended by this. Copyrights for all mentioned characters/TV shows/films/lyrics etc. belong to their respected owners. I’m a fan. Nothing more. Nothing less.
