The Curse of Mr. Bean

Before I move forward with a review of this episode I'd like to preface these remarks with a few words. I love British comedy, especially the dry and deadpan style, and I like Rowan Atkinson in other things I have seen him, but as Mr. Bean goes I just understand why this series and the character has been so highly regarded. I imagine it's a sort of tribute to silent era comics and the various predicaments they get into. This is the only episode I've watched in its entirety and it didn't even provoke a chuckle. The only mildly "amusing" segment was at the theatre where Bean and his female companion (Matilda Ziegler) are watching a horror movie. Like the other segments it goes on far too long and the thin premise is stretched beyond its limits. This is symptomatic of the other segments and the grow less and less amusing as the minutes tick by. Meanwhile the audience laughs uproariously at every single gag, getting to the point where I've shouted out: WHAT ARE YOU LAUGHING AT!!! This is just bad slapstick. Then there's Rowan Atkinson 's mugging which gets gets very tiresome. As I said, I have seen him in other things and find him very funny. His interview with Elton John is one that leaps foremost to mind. The lack of dialogue doesn't really bother me and I'm a fan of certain silent movie comics and humor can be purely visual if executed correctly. Obviously I will be in a minority on this opinion. I've tried watching some more of the series but my reaction is the same: It's not funny.

I like the bit where he knocked the three wheel car over. I reckon that could become a thing

Two of my favourite Mr Bean sketches are in this episode.

The sequence in the swimming baths is not only a fantastic bit of visual storytelling but contains some of Rowan Atkinson's best physical performance, particularly on the high diving board. How it all unfolds is superb.

Mr Bean's escapades whilst driving are always excellent and there are some great examples here linking various scenes together.

The scene in the park contains very good slapstick and typically Bean character moments of failed one-upmanship. Arguably it goes on slightly too long, but it is still very strong physical comedy.

My favourite sketch is the cinema scene. I love this for eliciting so much laughter from my family and I with such a simple premise. Atkinson surpasses the level of Chaplin, Keaton, Stan and Ollie with his physical performance and timing here. Matilda Ziegler is also excellent with her deadpan expressions and wonderful body language.

For me it's a 9.5/10, but I round upwards.

Mr Bean has problems first at he swimming pool, then at the car park.

There is no denying the sheer genius of Rowan Atkinson, he's incredible here, he's so physically funny, but he has the ability to make you laugh without saying a word, what a gift. There is a naivety and innocent to this show, the like of which, I don't think we're going to see again.

That scene where he makes his own sandwich on the bench, surely has to be one of the show's finest, and best remembered moments.

That scene, and stunt with the three wheel Reliant, that's classic too, so funny.

Interesting to see Angus Deayton playing two roles, first as the lifeguard, and secondly as the man on the park bench.

The man's a genius, 9/10.