The Reel Review
Three couples, longtime friends who have vacationed together each season for years, face a new group dynamic when one couple splits up. Tina Fey, Will Forte, Steve Carell, Kerri Kenney, Colman Domingo and Marco Calvani star in this series co-written by Fey, itself a remake of Alan Alda’s 1981 movie.
This modern refresh of the now 45-year-old film examines the timeless challenges of long-term relationships – boredom, bickering, infidelity, compromise, resentment – all set to a backdrop of clever humor and beautiful vacation destinations. It is Kenney (Reno 911) who shines brightest in each of the two, eight-episode seasons as the divorcee faced with creating a new life for herself amidst increasingly challenging circumstances. Alda also appears as her character’s father – a nice touch.
Some of the humor is eye-rollingly corny, but the series has enough chuckles, surprising twists and insightful moments to make the 30 minutes episodes a quick and easy binge. The season two flashbacks of the group’s earlier years together is a nice love letter to friendship, making it slightly stronger than the first season. Each season’s finale, however, is particularly well done.
REEL FACTS
• Tina Fey and Steve Carell starred in the 2010 comedy Date Night.
• In addition to her acting, Indiana native Kerri Kenney provides lead vocals and plays bass guitar for the all-female rock band Cake Like.
• Colman Domingo recommended Marco Calvani for the role of his husband. The two and their respective husbands are all friends in real life.
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