My rating: 6.9/10.
Here we are again. I'll tell you how I've lost my will to write. About all the trappings of being an unmotivated writer. About how I fear that I don't have anything new to say. And then we'll both go on our merry ways.
After Life, believe it or not, is the third comedy that I've tried watching which turned out to be about depression. First being Fleabag and the second World's Greatest Dad (2009). It strikes a chord within me, this theme. A chord which has been struck more often now than it ever has before. But let's not go there. Now's not the time.
Written and directed by Ricky Gervais, it finds Ricky as the lead, a bloke called Tony who lost his wife six months ago and is still in grief. He is angry at the world because everyone is alive but not his wife. He is suicidal, as well. The only reason that he doesn't kill himself is the bitch- a female dog- that he has. A friendly German Shepherd, if you're interested.
But its not all moanin' and whingin' with Tony. He fancies his father's nurse in the old age home and she fancies him back. But he can't bring himself to be with her because he feels like he is being unfaithful to his wife. To his dead wife, to be clear. He also takes a liking to a young girl who just started working at the Tambury Gazette, Tony's workplace where his boss is his brother-in-law. A walking-talking reminder of his wife who keeps trying to cheer him up even though he has problems of his own with his marriage.
I quite liked the little world that Ricky managed to create here. With little characters that he keeps bumping into, it feels like a Sunday morning cartoon show which is not meant for kids. Its more of a drama then a comedy. Its talks about some dark subject matter but its not entirely cynical either. The show maintains a glint of optimism as it talks to you, which is nice.
I enjoy Ricky Gervais very much. I believe I've watched all of his stand up specials. A lot of his interviews and, of course, The Office (and An Idiot Abroad very recently). But I do think that After Life is summation of his ideas. Repetitive ramblings of an aging comic, that is. And some scenes do feel a bit forced to fit his same-old-same-old one liners into the show. I like those one liners, but I do think they've gotten stale.
The direction by the man himself is nothing to hold the ship for. I mean it's fine, serviceable. Some needle drops were pretty good but the background score was overused.
Like all melodramas, you've to be in a particular state of mind to connect with the story. I couldn't recommend it to anyone, but if you're anyone, just watch the trailer and you'll know if you wanna watch it or not. I'd love to watch its third and hopefully final season. Yeah.
No comments:
Post a Comment