“Fiction is often filled with complex characters leading double lives, but Angelo Doyle takes this concept to the extreme. By day, Angelo is a suburban salesman grieving the loss of his wife and helping his daughter prepare for motherhood. Clad in a dorky dad vest, he appears to be an average family man. However, when night falls, Angelo sheds his suburban persona and transforms into a hired killer in the gritty underworld of New York City.
What sets Angelo apart is not only his ability to hide his criminal activities from his family but also his family from his criminal life. His handler, Dutch, is unaware of Angelo’s personal life, including the fact that he was once married and widowed. The only connection to his past that Dutch knows of is Angelo’s brother Michael, who suffers from advanced dementia. As Angelo starts showing signs of the same illness, the carefully constructed walls between his two worlds begin to crumble.
Inspired by the 2003 Belgian film “De Zaak Alzheimer,” “Memory of a Killer” follows Angelo’s intricate web of deception and the challenges he faces as his two worlds collide. However, despite its intriguing premise, the show struggles to translate its compelling logline into a captivating narrative. In the two episodes provided to critics, the execution falls short, leaving much to be desired.
Patrick Dempsey delivers a convincing performance as Angelo, portraying the duality of his character with nuance. However, his transition from suburban dad to mafia hitman lacks the depth needed to make the deception believable. The chemistry between Dempsey and Michael Imperioli, who plays Angelo’s handler, feels forced, failing to capture the tension of their complex relationship.
As Angelo’s cognitive decline becomes apparent, the show misses an opportunity to explore the blurred lines between reality and delusion. Instead of leaning into the fantasy elements of the story, the narrative remains grounded, missing the chance to delve into the psychological complexities of Angelo’s character.
The supporting cast, including Gina Torres as an FBI agent investigating Angelo’s activities, adds depth to the story. However, the generic portrayal of organized crime tropes and lackluster character development leave much to be desired. The show’s crime elements feel underdeveloped, failing to engage viewers beyond surface-level intrigue.
While there is potential for “Memory of a Killer” to delve deeper into Angelo’s backstory and explore the impact of his illness on his past choices, the initial episodes fall short of expectations. The show may benefit from further exploration of Angelo’s character and a more nuanced approach to its narrative.
“Memory of a Killer” premieres on Fox on Jan. 25 at 10 p.m. ET, with subsequent episodes airing weekly on Mondays. As the season unfolds, viewers may find a more compelling story waiting to be told.”
