Change Your Image
CaesarC
Reviews
Dead Like Me (2003)
So good, it's scary.
I was tempted to hold off on commenting about this program until a few more episodes had aired, but I found the pilot to be so perfect that I just couldn't contain my enthusiasm any longer. If the pilot is any indication of what we can expect in subsequent episodes, and if Showtime is able to attract an audience for this series, I can state here - unequivocally - that this is destined to be one of the best programs on television. Never in recent memory has a program (on cable or the networks) found such a delicate balance between comedy and drama. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll run the gamut of emotions and then pray for the week to hurry by so you can see the next episode.
Dead Like Me is the story of a young woman named Georgia, who, while trying to find her place in the world, ends up dying an untimely death and then gets drafted as a Grim Reaper. Georgia or "George" (played by the extremely talented Ellen Muth) will take you on a ride of discovery, friendship, regret, and hope (and maybe even love?). I can't say enough about how perfectly the role of Georgia was cast. Ellen Muth was born to play this character. Witty, clever, inquisitive, saucy, funny, cute, smart, charming, and beautiful. She is all of these things and so much more. Watch for Ms. Muth to be real famous in Hollywood one of these days. Barring any unforeseen incidents with toilet seats (you'll understand when you see the show), this young lady is going to be a big, bright, shining star.
Georgia's mentor is a Grim Reaper named Rube (played by the brilliant Mandy Patinkin) who must be cold enough to deliver all of the bad news, and yet warm enough to provide gentle direction and lead young Georgia as a father would lead a naive daughter. Mandy Patinkin is wonderful here and as a longtime fan, I can't even begin to tell you how good it is to see Mr. Patinkin on screen again. He is truly an actor of the highest caliber and if you have a good relationship with your own father (or just wish you did) you're going to love him here. Every time he called Georgia, "Peanut," I just couldn't help but smile from ear to ear.
Callum Blue, Rebecca Gayheart, Jasmine Guy, and Cynthia Stevenson round out the other key roles presented to date and all of them turn in stellar performances. Kudos to writer/creator Bryan Fuller for crafting such a wonderful work. If I had to describe the writing in one word, it would simply be, "smart." He's definitely going to be another one to watch out for. Scott Winant does an incredible job directing here, and we can only hope that the other directors slated for the various episodes can match his vision from the pilot. It won't be easy though - he's set the bar quite high. Also worth mentioning is the effective use of special effects throughout. They're not overdone, but it's obvious that no expense was spared in this department and the effects (and camera work) rival those of many big budget full-length feature films.
I don't want to give away the ending of the pilot for those who haven't seen it yet, but I'm not ashamed to confess that when the music kicked in and the ending began to unfold, the tears started to well up - and I'm not the kind of guy who cries over a TV show. That ending really did it for me - it was the icing on the cake - moving and sentimental, but by no means "cheesy." Buried just beneath the surface of dark comedy, drama, and special effects, there are some really powerful messages of hope and love going on here.
I have such high hopes for this series and I can only pray that Showtime doesn't go the way of the networks and start "tinkering." Too many decent shows have either been messed with, had their night and/or time slot changed over and over again, or been pulled before they ever had a chance to get off the ground and spread their wings. This show (more than most) deserves to be on television and will find a strong following if given the chance. In this age of "reality" television, it's really nice to see some writers, actors, and directors again. If you want reality, turn off the television and go outside. If you want to be entertained by professionals who have dedicated their lives to their craft, you can tune in every Friday and watch Dead Like Me, like me.
The Sky Is Falling (1999)
An extremely enjoyable film.
Caught this little gem on cable the other night and I must say I was thoroughly impressed. Sadly, it's one of those movies that never really made it "big." No (incredibly) huge stars, no big budget, no fanfare, no publicity, etc. What the film does have though is a believable, moving, well-acted story that leaves you feeling better about yourself (and the world) once you've finished watching it. Although I see this film as being enjoyable to anyone who views it, I think there are really only two demographics that will "get it" and truly appreciate the story for what it is - those between their LATE teens and EARLY thirties, and those over fifty. Younger than twenty, you probably won't appreciate or understand the hardships yet. Between thirty and fifty, you probably won't care about the hardships anymore.
The Sky Is Falling is the story of a 28-year-old aspiring writer that has everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) going wrong for her. Family problems, career problems, relationship problems, money problems, having to face successful peers at an upcoming 10 year high school reunion, etc. As is so often true in life, all the hardships come at once (you know, when it rains, it pours) and she feels she has hit rock bottom. Her quirky mother (played perfectly by Teri Garr) tells her that everything will be all right in the end, but Emily (the magnificent Dedee Pfeiffer) just has no reason to believe it. The film includes several (tongue-in-cheek) "daydream" sequences where Emily contemplates the best way to commit suicide and put herself out of her misery. Don't misinterpret this to mean that the film is dark or disturbing. On the contrary, the suicide contemplation sequences are very comedic (albeit dark comedy) in nature and are extremely well done.
I don't want to give away too much, but Emily's life is touched and forever changed (in more ways than one) by Mr. Finch (played beautifully by the late Bert Remsen). Because of Emily's talent, perseverance, and goodheartedness (and Mr. Finch's actions) it looks like Emily might just get her chance for a better life after all. The film has a bit of what some might call a "feel-good" ending, but not in the way that most Hollywood pictures of the genre do. There is loss. There is death. There is sadness and suffering. But the main character comes full circle and ends up with the possibility for a better life because of the losses. In other words, the protagonist LEARNS SOMETHING (about herself and the world). And to me, that "learning something" element is what's missing in most pictures today.
Also worth noting is the relationship this film has to one of the most beloved pictures of all time, It's a Wonderful Life (1946). The stories are quite similar in many ways. Both take place around the Christmas holiday. Both protagonists are intrinsically good people that have fallen on hard times, are contemplating suicide, and need the help of an outsider to see the true beauty of themselves and of their lives. The Sky Is Falling actually pays homage to (and features a scene from) It's a Wonderful Life. Emily and Mr. Finch sit together in the TV room of the hospital while It's a Wonderful Life is playing. The scene featured is where George Bailey (played by the late Jimmy Stewart) is thinking about jumping off of the bridge and committing suicide. A symbolically striking resemblance to Emily. If you've seen It's a Wonderful Life (who hasn't?), you know what Clarence the angel does next. Could Mr. Finch be Emily's Clarence? You'll just have to watch and find out for yourself.
A+ performances from a ton of Hollywood veterans (Teri Garr, Howard Hesseman, Bert Remsen, Lorraine Toussaint, etc.). Cute little cameos by some big names (Sean Astin, Chris Elliott). And an absolute top notch performance by Dedee Pfeiffer make this one a must-see. Now, some might feel compelled to credit Dedee Pfeiffer simply as being the sister of Michelle Pfeiffer. Don't be fooled! Dedee is twice as beautiful and ten times as talented. Why Michelle gets all the glory is beyond me, especially after seeing this film. If you're looking for a funny, romantic, believable, charming, and all-around enjoyable film, you could do no better than The Sky Is Falling.