Small Town, Big Story

I really wasn't sure what to expect, but with Chris O'Dowd as creator/writer/director/producer/cast member, I knew I was going to be in for an off-beat treat. It has a fantastically surreal and absurd storyline which is underpinned by dry and quippy Irish humour. Many of the brilliant one-liners and daftness in various scenes had me howling with laughter. There's some very sweet and poignant moments too. The cast is fab with a few familiar faces. The ending wasn't quite what I thought it would be, but I hope this means a 2nd series might be a possibility. Or maybe a good place to leave it? We'll see. It's a shame about the mixed reviews. The so-called tropes some have mentioned are clearly intentional and ironic. If you like a bit of mad with pathos, then you'll love this! Give it a wee go so!

"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.

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.

Chris O'Dowd was great in the It Crowd. And nothing else despite getting some great parts he's proved to be a sh&te actor. Nevertheless I had high hopes of this; a returning Americanised Irishwoman to make a movie in an Irish village. So much material for a darkish comedy! Jesus wept! I couldn't finish the first episode! Did they even rehearse it? The script is witless, the continuity abysmal, like an awful version of Derry Girls. Just goes to show. Sorry Chris but you can't king write or direct. That's a fact. I'm only adding this sentence in the hope that it will reach the required number of characters.