2016/04/27 - Horace & Pete Final Review

I haven't written in a couple of days, mainly because I've been binge-watching Horace and Pete, and the show has put me in a gloomy mood.

I finished this morning and here’s my final review:

The 10 episode story takes place in a family owned bar in Brooklyn, NY with a 100-year history and a severely dysfunctional family.

The series is collection of family tragedies, which although compelling, are also disturbing and sometimes shocking.

The tragedies are interspersed with comical barroom banter and current topical conversations covering touchy subjects like abortion, trans sexuality, suicide, religion, politics, homosexuality, etc.

Perhaps the best part of the series is the casting of the main characters:

Louis C.K. plays Horace  the latest generation of “ Horace's” to run the bar together with his brother, the latest generation of “Pete’s”, played by Steve Bussumi.

Pete is a recovering psychotic who spent most of his former life institutionalized, but now manages to live a semi-normal life on medication.

Eddie Falco plays Harold and Pete's sister; a rude, ice-cold bitch that finds out she has cancer.

Alan Alda plays their uncle; a crude loudmouth who says whatever is on his mind, no matter how rude, insulting, or insensitive.

Finally Jessica Lange plays an attractive alcoholic barfly who was the girlfriend of the previous “Horace”, who recently died.

At times the dialog is a little improbable, and Louis’s acting skill pales in comparison with the others. It seems like he is limited in his number of expressions, and spends a lot of time hiding his face behind his hands.

Steve Buscemi, on the other hand, plays an out-of-character award-winning role, especially in the scene where he bursts out crying after hearing bad news.

It’s common for comedians to have a dark side, and this series, which he admits is partly autobiographical, reveals a bit of Louis’ dark side. Personally I wish he would stick to comedy.

I think the show is definitely worth watching for the great acting and the shock value, but not at the current price of $31.00 for the season.  I would wait until Netflix picks it up.

Later,
Steve