Written and directed by Jack Cuthbert and Vanya Dickens who are also the main actors along with Dean Kilbey, this mini web-series, streamed on Facebook, aims to inject some comedy into a situation with which we have all become all too familiar.
During the last 6 weeks or so, most of us have relied on computer technology far more than we ever did; having virtual meetings, doing virtual school work, watching films, and, as here, using Facetime, Skype or similar to connect with family and friends who'd normally be either by your side or you'd be chatting to in person.
Therefore the premise is simple, and the realness is undeniable. These are people trying to have an ordinary conversation in extraordinary circumstances. The split screen and the two backgrounds with poor visuals, frequent cut-outs, poor sound, etc all adds to the fact that this is exactly how we are communicating with each other right now. It's become the new 'normal'. It all adds to our frustrations though too, and although we try and 'keep it together' and try and behave 'normally', our tempers are fraught, and tolerances stretched to the limit. It is exactly this that the company here relies on to drive their narrative and their comedy. Taking what could be a real scenario of a husband stuck at home in England with a baby whilst his wife is stuck in Spain, unable to travel home, whilst his best mate irks him every time he calls simply becasue he compares the struggles of looking after a small crying baby whose mother is away to looking after his dog.
It's style is very much like 'The Office' in that it tries to be 'real' even though we know the situations are set-ups. It resonates but doesn't feel either particularly fresh or funny. I think that's because it is close to home for most. The three of them do give this their all, that much is clear, but it does tend to fall a little flat sadly.
The episodes are short - perhaps 3 or 4 minutes long - and chronicle the frustrations of the protagonist Dean as he communicates with both his wife and best friend who both seem to be having a better time of it than he is. It starts on Day 5 of lockdown and each short episode takes you further and further into the lockdown period.
It's a very interesting idea and it certainly keeps these three actors active and honing their skills whilst the theatres etc are are still dark. There is definitely potential here, but personally I feel that if they were to inject a little more absurdist comedy and pull some of the seemingly real animosity and nastiness, it would be more accessible and be better received in these dark times.
Reviewer - Chris Benchley
on - 9/5/20
No comments:
Post a Comment