Small Town, Big Story

Small Town, Big Story is a slow burner that never quite finds its spark, at least not early on. I found myself wishing that episode three had been the pilot because it felt like the show was dawdling through its own setup. The premise of a Hollywood producer returning to her small Irish hometown has its charm but the execution is, frankly, a bit muddled. The narrative meanders and takes its time getting to the heart of the story, leaving you wondering if the tension is ever really meant to build up.

The characters are meant to be quirky and full of local charm but they simply do not stick in the mind. Christina Hendricks and Paddy Considine have moments where their past chemistry shows promise yet the overall characterisation feels flat and underdeveloped. It is as if the show is trying to juggle too many ideas at once and, in doing so, loses the thread that might have tied it all together. In the end, if you like a slow-paced tale with a subtle hint of mystery, you might find a few redeeming qualities here. For me, however, it just did not quite hit the mark.

Christina Hendricks and Paddy Considine are great in this, along with Susan Lynch and other cast members, but the script flatlines and the comedy doesn't quite get there.

O'Dowd's direction and script make it a bit wooden and clunky. You are always waiting for the killer laughs, the key character moments, the unique Irish craic, but it never arrives.

It's watchable, but it will leave you with a sense of unfulfilled potential. Key relationships just take too long to establish, some great character potential is lost because the moment of spark is missing in the script. The actors are forced to act on, dragging out the awkwardness that's not necessarily good for the character, and leaving the viewer frustrated at the missed opportunity to take them further into the storyline.

The cast saved whatever elements of this that made it watchable but they clearly struggled with O'Dowd's flat script.

There just wasn't that link between comedy, plot and irishness that often makes these types of series work.

I think there's an age old lesson that O'Dowd has forgotten here, don't try and do everything yourself. Sometimes you need a critical friend (or two) on the project and this felt that it was the result of nobody being able to say "try that again" to the the ubiquitous O'Dowd.

Maybe a fresh director and a good script adaptation would revive it.

I hope so, there was something in there that O'Dowd just couldn't tease out.

Hollywood producer Wendy Patterson (Christina Hendricks) goes back home to Drumbán, Ireland which she has picked to shoot a big movie. She has a secret connection to local doctor Séamus Proctor (Paddy Considine) after an incident during the Millennial celebration. She hasn't been back in over 20 years.

Chris O'Dowd is the show creator and has a fun supporting role. It's a little odd that Christina Hendricks is playing a returning local. Most people do return to their old accent, but she's probably not going to do Irish well. She is my main issue with this show. Her character has so much resentment that it's hard to have fun with that. I would rather have someone like Aya Cash who is funny when she's angry. I like Paddy Considine's scared acting. Big Jim McDaid needs to be a little funnier although he does have a nice sweet side. I love what Jemima Rowlands adds to his character. This is mildly fun in an off-centered sci-fi premise.

"Everyone is going to find out......." Probably not as I would not bet money on anyone actually getting to the end of the series.

Not sure I can be bothered to watch episode 3.

It's got an ok cast but that's it.

It's a badly uninspired script that is going nowhere rather slowly.

It's not funny. It is supposed to be.

The actors seem pretty clueless and it just meanders aimlessly and you are left wondering why you bothered as the credits roll.

Now I have to write more about this nonsense as my review is too short by 43 characters.

Did I tell you how bad it was ?

Yes I did.

Sorry but it's a big miss for me.

I heard Chris O'Dowd talking about this show on a podcast. He doesn't make an appearance till episode 4, which is, in my opinion, a missed opportunity. However, Christina Hendrick, and the rest of the mad irish cast, do a great job, especially Paddy Considine, who is marvellous. If you liked Bad Sisters you'll like this, because it has the same crazy vibe. I think the bad reviews are missing the point. It's a piss take, and as such it works well. It's funny, in an off beat way and the cast obviously had a great time making the show. Slight shame that Christina didn't do even a touch of a latent Irish accent.