Ricky Gervais' witty and caustic humor has been flourishing since the days of "The Office" (2001-2003), "Extras" (2005-2007) and "Derek" (2012-2014), so it is no news that he writes very well and with intelligence. What really surprises in "After Life" (2019) is the association of these elements with a sensitivity and understanding of the human being that "Derek" already foreshadowed, which are interwoven with scenes of laughter. Although the starting point of the story is death and all the sadness, revolt and giving up that this entails, there is a balance with humorous fragments.
As the series title indicates, we will follow the journey of the main character (Tony), represented by Gervais, in another existential plan, after the death of his wife, after the happy life they both shared. And it is in the assumption of this new existence of Tony, permanently dominated by the idea of suicide, that the series gains greater complexity: the protagonist crosses and deprives himself with different characters, all dealing with issues inherent to the human condition itself: the search for happiness, survival, loneliness, aging, death. Other characters appear as representatives of marginalized social groups (similarly to what Jesus Christ did, Tony finds something deeper in them other than their social or professional circumstances).
For all this, for being made of life and humanity, it makes us laugh, cry, reflect. It is beautiful and philosophical, funny and deep at the same time.
As the series title indicates, we will follow the journey of the main character (Tony), represented by Gervais, in another existential plan, after the death of his wife, after the happy life they both shared. And it is in the assumption of this new existence of Tony, permanently dominated by the idea of suicide, that the series gains greater complexity: the protagonist crosses and deprives himself with different characters, all dealing with issues inherent to the human condition itself: the search for happiness, survival, loneliness, aging, death. Other characters appear as representatives of marginalized social groups (similarly to what Jesus Christ did, Tony finds something deeper in them other than their social or professional circumstances).
For all this, for being made of life and humanity, it makes us laugh, cry, reflect. It is beautiful and philosophical, funny and deep at the same time.