(Review updated after Season 3).
Tony's wife of 25 years, Lisa, has just died of cancer, leaving Tony a shattered, suicidal wreck. He goes from happy, caring and fun-loving person to cynical, rude and self-destructive. He figures that there's no downside to acting this way: after all, if things get too dire he can always commit suicide. But what if there are things and people worth living for?
Written by, directed by and starring Ricky Gervais, After Life is a brilliant drama. Incredibly relevant, relatable, realistic and dark. Makes you think about your own life, how you handle tragedy and other setbacks, what it all means and what's important to you.
Clever, original and bold plot from Gervais. Can't think of too many movies or TV series that have captured how one deals with tragedy, and suicidal tendencies, so directly and confrontingly ('Leaving Las Vegas' would be the best example I can think of). Not at all predictable: from the outset there are several paths the plot could have taken and Gervais keeps his options open all the way through.
It's not all drama though. With Tony's character being so cynical, there is plenty of room for comedy. The humour comes thick and fast, without detracting from the seriousness of the subject matter. The jokes are woven into the dialogue so well that the humour doesn't seem forced at all.
Great work by Gervais in the lead role. We know he can do drama, from 'Derek', especially, but his work here is quite eye-opening. The casting of Ashley Jensen is a masterstroke: the two of them recapture the chemistry they had in 'Extras' to great effect. Credit too to Anti as Brandy the dog - probably my favourite character in the series!
On the negative side, Season 2 is initially a bit disappointing. Season 1 was so brilliant and self-contained the series didn't need a second season. My fears were initially justified when, instead of progressing the story, S2 seemed to almost go back to Square 1. Even worse, the tone was lowered considerably by the course, unprofessional psychologist. He wasn't even funny, so not sure what purpose he served, other than to irritate viewers. Season 2's latter half is superb, however, and more than makes up for the slow, tonally disappointing, start.
No such problems with Season 3 though which is, for me, the best season of the lot. Hilariously funny and at the same time the deepest, most profound and most emotional of all the seasons.
A superb series and evidence that Ricky Gervais is a force to be reckoned with not just in comedy but also in drama.
Season 1 - 10/10, Season 2 - 9/10, Season 3 - 10/10.
Tony's wife of 25 years, Lisa, has just died of cancer, leaving Tony a shattered, suicidal wreck. He goes from happy, caring and fun-loving person to cynical, rude and self-destructive. He figures that there's no downside to acting this way: after all, if things get too dire he can always commit suicide. But what if there are things and people worth living for?
Written by, directed by and starring Ricky Gervais, After Life is a brilliant drama. Incredibly relevant, relatable, realistic and dark. Makes you think about your own life, how you handle tragedy and other setbacks, what it all means and what's important to you.
Clever, original and bold plot from Gervais. Can't think of too many movies or TV series that have captured how one deals with tragedy, and suicidal tendencies, so directly and confrontingly ('Leaving Las Vegas' would be the best example I can think of). Not at all predictable: from the outset there are several paths the plot could have taken and Gervais keeps his options open all the way through.
It's not all drama though. With Tony's character being so cynical, there is plenty of room for comedy. The humour comes thick and fast, without detracting from the seriousness of the subject matter. The jokes are woven into the dialogue so well that the humour doesn't seem forced at all.
Great work by Gervais in the lead role. We know he can do drama, from 'Derek', especially, but his work here is quite eye-opening. The casting of Ashley Jensen is a masterstroke: the two of them recapture the chemistry they had in 'Extras' to great effect. Credit too to Anti as Brandy the dog - probably my favourite character in the series!
On the negative side, Season 2 is initially a bit disappointing. Season 1 was so brilliant and self-contained the series didn't need a second season. My fears were initially justified when, instead of progressing the story, S2 seemed to almost go back to Square 1. Even worse, the tone was lowered considerably by the course, unprofessional psychologist. He wasn't even funny, so not sure what purpose he served, other than to irritate viewers. Season 2's latter half is superb, however, and more than makes up for the slow, tonally disappointing, start.
No such problems with Season 3 though which is, for me, the best season of the lot. Hilariously funny and at the same time the deepest, most profound and most emotional of all the seasons.
A superb series and evidence that Ricky Gervais is a force to be reckoned with not just in comedy but also in drama.
Season 1 - 10/10, Season 2 - 9/10, Season 3 - 10/10.