Last Friday, I started watching the Netflix series The Kominsky Method (8.2 in IMDb). I had ignored this series as I didn’t expect that this kind of comedy-drama would be funny. Earlier, I made the same huge mistake with another Netflix series: Grace and Frankie (8.3 in IMDb, also see my blogs of 2016 and 2017). Why is The Kominsky Method a superb series?
The Kominsky Method proves that American humor can still be funny to non-Americans (Quora). In my view, many modern American comedies are not funny for Europeans as we can no longer relate to modern American lifestyle (eg, existential nihilism, opioid use disorder, extreme political correctness, extreme bipartisanship).
American series focussing on universal themes used to be big TV hits in Europe: Cheers (1982-1993), Frasier (1993-2004), Friends (1994-2004), How I met your mother (2005-2014), The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019) and Modern Family (2009-2020). It’s worthwhile noting that some of these comedies have the same writers (eg, Chuck Lorre, the “King of Sitcoms”).
The biggest surprise of this series is that (universal) themes like old age, sickness and death can be entertaining. Actually, this series is captivating. I binge-watched all 16 episodes in 2 days. This series makes soft, subtle and sweet switches between comedy and drama. Even the use of harsh, crude or offensive humor is constructive.
The universal themes in this story are remarkably simple: ageing, friendship, learning, loving, parenting and teaching. The main characters, Michael Douglas (b. 1944) and Alan Arkin (b. 1934) are lifelong friends. In the first episode, Alan Arkin’s terminally ill wife – Susan Sullivan – makes Michael Douglas promise to look after her husband.
During seasons one and two, this promise becomes mutual: both look after each other. One of them is an unsuccessful actor and inspired teacher, while the other one is successful but in need of a “teacher”. One was happily married with an estranged, dysfunctional daughter, while the other was unhappily married (3x) and successfully reconnected with his daughter.
The aforementioned opposites allow them to teach their experiences to each other. Both learn and grow on their path to wisdom of the ages. However, ageing comes with ailments (eg, Wiki). Both use (self-) mockery to each other for putting things in perspective.
Movies like the The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and TV series like After Life and The Kominsky Method make us ponder over our own future: where do I want to be in 10 to 30 years? The year 2020 has taught us that nursing homes are not even safe – let alone funny (eg, Wiki).
“Age is not a particularly interesting subject. Anyone can get old. All you have to do is live long enough.” A quote by Groucho Marx (1890-1977), an American comedian.
The Kominsky Method | Official Trailer | Netflix (video)
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless stated otherwise.
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