Like several others, I was so jazzed for a follow-up series to the phenomenally executed single-shot cinematic masterpiece Boiling Point.
Then came The Bear.
Sadly, where the film matches or maybe even slightly exceeds The Bear in the gritty-heartbreaking-realism stakes, its TV spin-off just doesn't measure up.
Too many 2D new characters. Too much amateurish dialogue. Too much rushed emotional resolution from absolutely nowhere plot-wise. Just...too much.
I dunno. It all just felt a bit hammy & ridiculous where the original (and The Bear) absolutely nailed the hardcore breathlessness of that type of workplace. Maybe it's trying too hard to enjoy mainstream success. Maybe that's a pressure from 'above'. Maybe it's aiming more for an American market, I don't know - the same thing seemed to happen with the final series of 'Happy Valley'.
It was entertaining enough, but not really my cup of tea. I won't be rewatching and a part of me is annoyed this is now canon because as a stand-alone piece of work, the movie of Boiling Point is the best British film for the last 10 years or so. This is OK.
Then came The Bear.
Sadly, where the film matches or maybe even slightly exceeds The Bear in the gritty-heartbreaking-realism stakes, its TV spin-off just doesn't measure up.
Too many 2D new characters. Too much amateurish dialogue. Too much rushed emotional resolution from absolutely nowhere plot-wise. Just...too much.
I dunno. It all just felt a bit hammy & ridiculous where the original (and The Bear) absolutely nailed the hardcore breathlessness of that type of workplace. Maybe it's trying too hard to enjoy mainstream success. Maybe that's a pressure from 'above'. Maybe it's aiming more for an American market, I don't know - the same thing seemed to happen with the final series of 'Happy Valley'.
It was entertaining enough, but not really my cup of tea. I won't be rewatching and a part of me is annoyed this is now canon because as a stand-alone piece of work, the movie of Boiling Point is the best British film for the last 10 years or so. This is OK.