Down Bad

This show was a pleasant surprise. Something to break up the monotony of the typical series that are being streamed nowadays. Acting was good, storyline was good, and it was very addictive. WORTH EVERY MINUTE.

First, I am a lover of indie film and television. I have to strain a bit to hear this show, or use captions, but the stories are relatable and appropriate to the region of the country.

It's set in Jackson, TN, I think, outside of Memphis. The messages are varied, but shared: I think it's brave of this show to portray black men experiencing and dealing with mental health issues from trauma, and recognizing that it is generational. The parenting struggles we all face either alone, with partners, or with exes can be improved or worsened through understanding and cooperation. Food is a connection we all share at the end of the day. The hustle to keep up financially and pay the bills is endless. Protect what's yours, but pick your battles.

The lighting is good, costuming is good, sets are very minimal, sound and soundtrack need a lot of improvement (budget). Would love to see a second camera angle- keep the video moving.

Still, this feels like a crossover of familiar things, the iPhone-filmed, unfiltered quality of Trailer Park Boys, mixed with a little Memphis, and a little Boyz n the Hood. The writing and acting is solid, it just doesn't come through fully without the production. Amazon, please spend some money on this show for season 2! I'd like to see more!

I attempted to watch this show. No real plot. It was like watching paint dry. It' seen that the show was just put together with no real direction. Very low budget.

This is an indie show that's a delight to find. This reminded me of how me and my friends growing up and the interactions, dialogue and situations are authentic. I can see this show being a mixed bag for some people but for me it felt so real and genuine. The blend of comedy while tackling some very serious subject matter was genius by the writers of this show. I would love to see a second season.

I have never seen a camera used this way before, dwelling lovingly on each frame as though loathe to move on, creating a sense of intimate space in which real emotions can reveal themselves.

I do value the subtitles that make a pathway for me to identify with the characters. The last episode is inexplicably surreal - who is alive and who is dead? How could this or that have happened? There seems to be a missing episode.

The story as it unfolds slowly seems too real to be a tv show. But the director is on top of every shot. A joy to watch, even though the story is cruel.

All I want from this series is more of it. Every actor lives their role; there are no false notes or self-indulgent histrionics for the camera. But why....?