The premise for this show was apparently based on a real interaction that Nathan Fielder had with a woman in Los Angeles, who put a curse on him when he didn't have any money he could give her. It's crazy how real life can impact our careers like that and give us the inspiration to create some of the weirdest things that no one would ever believe were actually taken from life. However, what's funny about that is that this entire show is based around the idea of presenting something false and showing people the image that they want of themselves, and it's quite brilliant.
In school, we learned about the idea of staging your approach to the outside world and how social media was a perfect way of presenting the ideal version of yourself to a mass audience. However, this show uses the idea of reality television and its impact on audiences to tell a story of this married couple who are doing something good for their neighborhood and helping the poor. However, it's very clear that this is all an act and the glitz is broken because of Fielder's Asher Siegel who is unable to take criticism in any form, which starts to form cracks in the wall. This first episode goes on to brilliantly show that the couple is completely different behind the scenes, and amidst weird sex games and uncomfortable family dinners, it paints an entirely different image of this couple. The episode is brilliantly absurd, yet also so insanely honest, which actually follows in the footsteps of Fielder's previous works very well, and his team-up with Benny Safdie only helps, as he brings his gritty sensibilities to it, both as a writer and as the standout character of Dougie. The episode doesn't do too much to set up the show, but the main premise of this curse that is put on Asher is firmly placed as the main focus and it gives this drama a scent of comedy that is molded into the absurd ideas that happen throughout. The performances are also great, with Emma Stone continuing to expand her career in really creative ways.
"Land of Enchantment" is the perfect opening for a show that seeks to understand the answer of who we really are and who we want to be. There's hopefully a lot more to come in terms of these characters and their personal lives, but anything that they decide to do from here on seems like a ride I'd be up to take.
In school, we learned about the idea of staging your approach to the outside world and how social media was a perfect way of presenting the ideal version of yourself to a mass audience. However, this show uses the idea of reality television and its impact on audiences to tell a story of this married couple who are doing something good for their neighborhood and helping the poor. However, it's very clear that this is all an act and the glitz is broken because of Fielder's Asher Siegel who is unable to take criticism in any form, which starts to form cracks in the wall. This first episode goes on to brilliantly show that the couple is completely different behind the scenes, and amidst weird sex games and uncomfortable family dinners, it paints an entirely different image of this couple. The episode is brilliantly absurd, yet also so insanely honest, which actually follows in the footsteps of Fielder's previous works very well, and his team-up with Benny Safdie only helps, as he brings his gritty sensibilities to it, both as a writer and as the standout character of Dougie. The episode doesn't do too much to set up the show, but the main premise of this curse that is put on Asher is firmly placed as the main focus and it gives this drama a scent of comedy that is molded into the absurd ideas that happen throughout. The performances are also great, with Emma Stone continuing to expand her career in really creative ways.
"Land of Enchantment" is the perfect opening for a show that seeks to understand the answer of who we really are and who we want to be. There's hopefully a lot more to come in terms of these characters and their personal lives, but anything that they decide to do from here on seems like a ride I'd be up to take.