Flaked

The plot line of the show is unique and dark, yet humorous. Disguised as a typical comedy drama, this show is quite an emotional roller-coaster with a sensational soundtrack to compliment. It does have a "hipster" vibe to it, but that's just the culture of California and specifically the character of Venice. To complain about that is just silly.

Will Arnett's character is compelling, dark and constantly evolving. You think you have him figured out and it changes multiple times throughout each episode. The character of London by Ruth Kearney is equally complex. Arnett's immature, brotherly relationship with David Sullivan is palpable as is their combined relationship with Cooler, the village idiot so to speak. George Basil is great and is hard not to enjoy. Aside from minor flaws, it is great character writing across the board.

The soundtrack as I previously mentioned is brilliant. The filming of the show is gorgeous and the soundtrack syncs with the scenic views, tone of the scene and the overall emotions of the show. Looking forward to the original scores being released whenever an official soundtrack is available.

Overall I think 8 episodes certainly wasn't enough, definitely felt like the show ended right as it got going. That said, even though it took a few episodes to get the ball rolling it ended on a high note. Will Arnett has done fantastic with what was given and I look forward to seeing what he can do with more episodes and a bigger budget. A solid 8 out of 10. Great debut.

Will Arnett stars in this beautiful comedy/drama Netflix Original. The whole show is about change: Chip (Arnett) refuses to change anything about his life. He rides a bike, does not have a cellphone, sells the same stool since 2008. When his friends, entourage and town try to move on from the way things are, he will do whatever is in his power to prevent that. Also, the past is literally chasing Chip.

Great writing, great acting and directed in such a comfortable manner that really illustrates how the characters perceive their life in this city that is stuck on hold. The soundtrack is amazing and fits perfectly with the tone and the colours of the show.

I strongly feel that it is the most underrated show on Netflix.

Set in Venice CA the show centers around a recovering alcoholic named Chip and his friends. Since Chip is played by Will Arnett I imagined the show would have a lot more comedy, one liners, etc. I took a shot at it on Netflix even though I was afraid it might lack enough substance to hold my attention. Sometimes comedies rely far too much on witty lines and predictable gags. But FLAKED is not just a vehicle for snappy lines and comebacks. Most of the characters have enough depth to keep me interested. There are a few which are kind of one dimensional like Cooler, a stoner type. He is shallow and not too bright and not too with it and sometimes irritating because of it. But he adds comic relief.

I like the show more than I thought I was going to like it. There is one thing I don't like about the show, and about most shows of this type. Writers make characters do and say stupid things in order to develop conflict in the story line. Viewers watching this are hit with a feeling that the plot is just too phony, too unbelievable. If it were a pure comedy it would not matter. But this show is a mix of ostensibly real life drama with comedy. It is hard to buy into the real life bit when people say things or fail to say things which real people obviously would bring up in real life. They allow their lives to crash and burn in the show by failing to simply tell someone a simple set of facts as anyone in real life would obviously do. This makes it easier for writers to develop conflict, and I suppose the writers also feel that viewers will feel anxiety when they see the characters they identify with making such really bad decisions, omissions, or foolish statements.

This is obviously a pet peeve of mine, right up there with the grade B camera work seen in some action and horror films, i.e. shaky cameras, rapidly changing camera positions and angles, and rapidly changing depth of shots. I don't know why modern film uses these cheap techniques. Many people hate that kind of camera work. In the same way we hate to see seemingly ordinary and intelligent characters behaving stupidly and ruining their lives by doing so. It is extremely common in film and television and very annoying also.

I've been a huge fan of both writers work for Arrested Development and The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, so when Flaked turned up at the top of my Netflix homepage I decided to give it a try.

First, this show is definitely a testament to Arnett's acting. His character is moody, complex, and incredibly relateable. I would not categorize Flaked as a comedy at all, although it has its funny moments, the focus of the show is intense drama with several strong characters in a difficult situation.

The acting and the story aren't really what makes this show for me, though. There's something else about it, a certain je ne sais quoi as they say, that's very hard to explain. Flaked is beautiful.

The soundtrack is outstanding, and the cinematography, set dressing, just about every little detail somehow combine to evoke in me every bit of nostalgia that I've ever had for life in a small town. I've fallen in love with Flaked for the experience of watching it, and that's not something that happens to me very often.

I started watching this a year or two ago and found it boring. My friend recommended it to me recently when we were talking about Blades of Glory (Will Arnett was a supporting cast member with his then-wife Amy Poehler). I gave it another try. I love this show. Like others have said, it is understated. You get to like the characters, especially Chip, in spite of his gross imperfections. Kudos to Will Arnett. He is a great actor. He is also a talented writer.

Unlike the other comments here, I totally identify with the younger women who gravitate to Chip. He is handsome and sexy, not to mention his voice. Remember these are women with tons of baggage and probably a daddy complex.