Kevin from Work

I just watched the first episode, and since I won't be watching any more I'll just review that.

The main problem was that it wasn't very funny, which is always a big problem in comedies. It was all jokes I've seen before done better, with an episode on cringe comedy. I don't think I laughed out loud once.

The leads are reasonably likable, but the series is a little too fond of stereotypes, and though created by a woman indulges in slut-shaming (probably less because it objects to sexual women and more because the show is fond of easy jokes and stereotypes (and no I don't give it a pass for a weak attempt to mock TV stereotypes).

One positive thing I will mention is the movie has a couple of really clever transitions between scenes that were clearly filmed live. It's the sort of thing you'd expect from some cool indie film. There a little out of place in such a dumb episode, but I give the director credit for putting them in.

The hackneyed premise is Kevin is obsessed with a coworker for three years(!) and is leaving the job so he writes a letter professing his love. He doesn't get the job, takes his old job back, the girl says she has a boyfriend and isn't interested, awkwardness ensues.

Let's consider what we've just seen. This guy has been in love with a coworker for three years. She's had three years to express interest in him. She hasn't. Their relationship has never progressed beyond coworkers. He knows she has a boyfriend. The guy is stalking the poor girl.

No one in this show is likable. We're meant to like Kevin, but he's a certifiable creep. The girl has no interest in him yet flaunts her relationship and flirts with him. The secondary characters are all seriously flawed and unlikely human beings. For example, the girl's roommate has a one night stand with Kevin and becomes obsessed. Kevin's sister is a drugged out loser. Etc, etc, etc.

Binge watch the first episode and you've seen the entire series. The show goes no where. Three stars.

Much like someone who's just gotten a new job, this series started out on an okay footing (not great but not bad either) and looked like it had potential. Promise, even. But much like one's working life, time strips away all the fun and optimism. I'm now past 5 episodes and have discovered that the supporting characters are either unbearably infuriating or gratingly annoying. Whatever I felt for Kevin's character right now has been reduced to pity. Pity, because he is surrounded by incredibly dysfunctional and highly unlovable characters that would fit in better on a trashy reality TV show, the worst of whom is his extremely inconsiderate hipster-cum-airhead mooch of a sister, Roxie. As a main character, Kevin himself is unmemorable, with no discerning or unique personality traits aside from being the nice guy who gets pushed around way too often. Essentially, his character lacks depth and likability.

It requires a certain finesse to have that much craziness yet still be funny... and this show hasn't gotten the formula right. The script and dialogues need an overhaul, pronto. I'd be surprised if this series lasted any longer than 2 seasons.

I very love the movie, after seen the trailer on Star World channel, and i started watching it, turn out loving it, more than any movie that i ever watched, because it remind of me, i been through like Kev, and now i'm still working with my "hopefully" future girlfriend, and waiting for her crazy stupid boyfriend of her to break up, even though its been like 4 years, watching this movie make me feel better that someone been through all of this like me, and i'm waiting for Season 2, i don't even waiting for Avenger 3 or even Batman vs Superman, need this series keep going, because i only watch this movie when i'm done working everyday, its make me feel better, and funny is for the first time i ever find a movie that remind me of myself, waiting for Season 2, please make it fast, thank you.

This was a fun binge of a show that I missed the first time around. Smart, satirical romcom writing and winning performances by a strong ensemble cast make it worth a watch.

The pre-Schitt's Creek Noah Reid show off his first-rate comedy chops, and Matt Murray as his buff bff is especially endearing and amusing.