johnryeh-49694

Just because the pandemic shut things down, doesn't mean you should keep it shut down. This was a critical darling and well acted ensemble of a crazy concept.

I remember when the original show came on. This show captured the essence of the original but made it fresh and lively.

The show ended with some open ended storylines. While not wholly bad, I wanted to see how it would end. These characters were well crafted by the actors and the director and the fans should have a chance to see the story end. At least give us a far ending.

30 Rock did that, Parks and Rec did that, GLOW should do that.

This is an old school comedic offering. Grounded in a realistic story, believable characters, and beautifully shot in a real setting. Lots of guffaws in the theater. I smiled a lot but no belly laughs for me.

But as a kid growing up in the 70's, I identified with the time and place. I remember cloths like that, people with hair like that, and a general malaise that was settled over the country.

Giamatti is awesome as a curmudgeonly teacher. People can't teach this way today, for fear of angering students and parents. But lets be real here. This was a time when students had to bear more responsibility for their own work. Some of the best one-liners in this movie are when Giamatti is interacting with his terrible, spoiled students.

The new kid actor plays much older. And looks much older than he is. From what I've read he really was a student in the school. Somehow he finds a world weariness in his acting that shows edges of real disappointment and yearning beyond his years. Like the guy in his mid-thirties in a bar, telling his problems to a bartender. He still has hope, but life is grinding on him.

And lastly. Ms. Randolph is great here. She's the cynical cop from a great show, Only Murders in the Building. In this movie, she feels different and that speaks to her acting chops. She's a wounded, grieving mother who's still able to function and empathize despite her loss.

I could see Oscar noms galore for this film. Davine and Giamatti both deserve nominations. And I could see the argument for Best Director and Screenplay. I could see this as a dark horse for Best Picture too.