A Man on the Inside review: Ted Danson comedy is warm and emotional, but light on laughs

A Man on the Inside review: Ted Danson comedy is warm and emotional, but light on laughs
3.0 out of 5 star rating

As a longtime fan of comedy series, I found myself both captivated and slightly disappointed by A Man on the Inside. On one hand, the characters are richly developed and the themes of aging, grief, dementia, and purpose are explored in a profound yet subtle way that resonates deeply. The performances by the talented cast, led by the brilliant Michael C. Hall, are nothing short of stellar – they will definitely leave an impression on you.

If the advertising for A Man on the Inside only focused on its initial premise, some might anticipate that it offers relatively little content, whether that assessment is fair or not.

A TV show centered around an elderly individual moving into a senior living facility to secretly investigate the inhabitants while also seeking a lost family treasure – reminiscent of a 2020 Chilean documentary. It appears this concept could be a unique offering to attract Netflix viewers.

Yet, there’s more to this than meets the eye. Not only is it marketed based on its concept, but also because of its star-studded cast, which includes the renowned Ted Danson, as well as Stephanie Beatriz and Stephen McKinley Henderson, who are both highly regarded in their respective fields.

Additionally, it’s important to note that this creation hails from Michael Schur, a producer and screenwriter who worked on the American adaptation of The Office, and is responsible for creating shows like Parks and Recreation, The Good Place, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Now, you have the makings of a promising success!

A Man on the Inside review: Ted Danson comedy is warm and emotional, but light on laughs

Is A Man on the Inside as good as expected? While it does deliver in several aspects – offering a mix of humor and deep emotions that resonate profoundly, making you feel deeply connected to its characters. However, unlike a typical comedy, it falls short when it comes to providing much laughter.

In an eight-episode show, Danson portrays Charles, a former professor who’s yet to fully adapt after the passing of his wife. He frequently sends newspaper clippings to his daughter Emily (Mary Elizabeth Ellis), but finds it challenging to establish a deep emotional bond with her regarding their life transformations.

When she advises him to find work to keep his thoughts busy, Charles stumbles upon an advertisement placed by a private detective named Julie, who is in search of a senior assistant for a case she’s working on.

In a retirement community called Pacific View, Julie (Lilah Richcreek Estrada) enlists Charles’ services as an undercover agent. His mission is to locate a cherished family keepsake for one of the residents’ sons, who has asked for assistance in this matter.

Something’s disappeared, and the son thinks something suspicious might have happened, although Pacific View’s manager, Didi (Stephanie Beatriz), has consistently dismissed this idea as unlikely.

In Charles’s daily life at home, he manages to forge friendships with the locals, gaining insights into their personal stories, all the while seamlessly integrating into the community. Simultaneously, he strives to collect crucial information for his investigation and maintain anonymity.

The series is truly impressive, with its four-hour length making it an engaging choice for viewing. It’s ideal for marathon-watching on a gloomy November evening, much like a Netflix session.

As a movie enthusiast, I must say that every actor shines in this film, including Beatriz, Ellis, Estrada, and the exceptional Stephen McKinley Henderson. Their performances are not only deeply moving but also manage to add just the right amount of humor at opportune moments.

Absolutely, Danson steals the show without a doubt. He adds depth and seriousness to each scene, alongside his knack for perfect comedic delivery and ability to evoke emotions. His portrayal of Charles is utterly endearing; he’s not so incompetent as to be annoying, but not so skilled that he becomes hard to sympathize with or overpowers the audience’s support.

As a passionate cinephile, I found myself immersed in Charles’s initial role, stepping into the lives of the residents to foster connections and trust. Through these interactions and later disclosures about his own journey, the show masterfully explores profound themes like aging, loss, dementia, and purpose. It is during these intimate moments that the series truly shines.

The show contains deeply emotional scenes and conversations, but they’re heartfelt rather than overly sentimental or insincere. It skillfully uses pauses to reinforce its messages, and it maintains an appropriate balance so that even viewers seeking a lighter, comedic series can still enjoy it.

Exceptional performances make those scenes effortlessly captivating, and it’s not just the talent of the actors that leaves a lasting impression – the thought-provoking scripts continue to resonate long after each episode concludes.

Considering all these excellent elements, it’s truly disappointing that the humor falls flat. With everything else being executed so skillfully, one can’t help but be disheartened by the potential this show had left unfulfilled.

While it’s possible to disregard this absence, humor plays a significant role in any comedy show, and A Man on the Inside falls short in this regard. It isn’t because the series is awkward, hard to stomach, or filled with unfunny jokes – quite the contrary.

Instead, it appears that the show doesn’t have many instances that strive for comedy, or if they do, they aim for a mild amusement at best. In attempting to create a show with a subtle humor, it seems that Schur and the team may have either overstepped their mark – or, more precisely, underplayed it.

Spending time with these well-crafted, charming characters remains enjoyable, yet it sometimes feels that when the show isn’t aiming for an emotional impact, other elements seem less vibrant or lack a crucial component – a clear objective or significance that seems to have been overlooked.

The enigma itself lacks intrigue, making it inconsequential. It’s improbable that viewers would enter this series anticipating an engaging, complex detective plot. If you were expecting such a thing, be forewarned – this aspect won’t captivate you, and even if it does, the resolution is unlikely to impress or satisfy you much.

In summary, “A Man on the Inside” is an assortment of entertaining moments that pass the time well, potentially stirring some emotions, but may not be a standout series you’ll remember throughout the year. Viewers might find themselves occasionally waiting for it to fully deliver on its comedic potential.

Here, we’re dealing with a top-tier viewing experience that gets even better thanks to some exceptionally skilled actors. Danon clearly stands out as the star player among them all.

The series concludes with an ending that might potentially inspire further installments. Whether this will actually happen remains uncertain, considering the fluctuations in streaming contracts and the broader television industry landscape.

If it manages to do so, let’s cross our fingers that Schur and his crew rediscover their humor. By infusing a hint of the wit from shows like Brooklyn Nine-Nine or Parks and Recreation, A Man on the Inside could turn into an unbeatable combination.

2024-11-21 11:34

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