Deep Water, Standing Up, and grab bag
We love to laugh, plus miscellaneous things we're watching
Hello!
On this week’s episode of Criticism Is Dead, we discuss Deep Water and Standing Up, two works that both involve finding the humor in less-than-ideal circumstances (whether intentionally or not).
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04:21 Deep Water, streaming on Hulu, is not an especially good film, but it is a good time.
Here’s how to optimize your viewing experience of this erotic thriller:
Don’t expect eroticism.
Don’t expect thrills.
Get a little loose and giggly beforehand.
Forget gravitas; embrace chaos.
Remember that Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas were dating during production, and now they are not.
As you watch, your mind may be filled with a growing pile of questions, such as:
What kind of town is this?
What kind of friend group is this?
Where does Melinda keep picking up these boy toys?
Who is Melinda?
How did she and Vic meet?
Why are they still married?
So many implied handjobs???
Accept that those questions will not be answered, and that is part of the beauty of a movie like this. Get ready to laugh!
23:55 Standing Up, streaming on Netflix, is a highly capable ensemble dramedy that makes fully realized characters out of what could have been basic tropes.
Created by Fanny Herrero, the rock-steady showrunner of Call My Agent! (discussed in a previous episode here), this new series is just as good. It explores a new corner of the entertainment scene: stand-up comedy, a burgeoning and dynamic scene in Paris. The stand-up sets are solid, the audience reactions actually genuine, and the characters and their stakes nicely fleshed out. It’s just a very competent show, one that makes you want to spend more time in its world. Excited for season 2!
39:57 Plus, grab bag!
Brief assessments of other things we’re watching, both new and old:
Fresh
Good Girls (h/t one of our listeners a long time ago, sorry I can’t remember who!)
This Way Up (h/t Amanda Kludt!)
Billions
Benedetta
Bridgerton season 2 (season 1 previously discussed here)
Bonus links
So we weren’t able to comment on the Oscars ceremony/results, as those came out after we recorded this episode, and besides which, I’m not sure what we could even say lol. But instead of attempting some halfhearted take about any number of issues that one could slot into the Slap discourse, I’m going to drop some non-serious tweets and jokes here:
And of course congrats to the winners :)
That’s it for now. See you next week!
— Jenny
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Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.
Some credits:
Music: REEKAH
Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu