Flaked

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.

This show is certainly flawed in some aspects, but that is also part of its nature. That might be difficult to understand. It can be a bit of a mess, just like the main character and the spirit of the show.

What is however extremely competent, is the way it is shot. It's gorgeous. The cinematography is probably the best i've ever seen in a TV-show. The way it uses Vence as location and the way they capture light is gorgeous; the orange glow of a low sun shot in natural light on location. the locations and vibe of venice. Together with the use of music this makes a framework that gives the show an inherent quality that few other shows have.

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The show is like a mix of The Big Lebowski and Californication, with some added flair of beat literature. You either get those things or not, and sometimes you need time. The show certainly grew on me, and somehow I couldn't stop watching. Enjoy the atmosphere that is beautiful and chill

The show does sometime dip into melodrama a bit too much for my liking, when it should be a bit more comedic than it is. But it is a far more intelligent, mature and artistic show than most. In fact it's probably one of my favourite shows since Treme.

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've been a fan of Will Arnett for years. But this is the first time we're seeing the true range of his acting. Chip is dark and complex in a way that is not appealing except for the fact that Will Arnett somehow manages to make a very unlikable person desirable. There are moments when watching Will Arnett as Chip that makes you completely forget that you're looking at what is usually a very funny man.

Given that this was a first time writing an entire show from start to finish for Arnett, I went in with lowered expectations. While the show struggles with knowing what it wants to be in spots, the characters are deep, the inter-relationships toxic and intriguing to watch.

While the plot sometimes got lost in character in fighting, I'm interested to see what will happen with a second season. This wasn't a perfect attempt but there's a great deal of heart here and that's worth it. I want more.

Arnett and Chappell have created a considerable dramedy series. The duo also pen the series first season. Great direction, writing, cinematography, setting, soundtrack and acting. All of the artists involved deliver significant performances. Arnett stands out with his innate ability to deliver comedic dialogue in sometimes serious, sarcastic and subtle ways. There are several guest stars in the series which contribute to the humor. The plot is set in Venice Beach, CA and revolves around Chip. Chip is a man in recovery from an incident that occurred ten years earlier. Through his recovery he lives a stock lifestyle and has surrounded himself with his best friend Dennis, a stoner friend Cooler, his former sponsor who is a cop George and his sometimes love interest Kara. He is also still married to his very successful wife Tilly. Suddenly Chip's routine life is turned upside down upon the arrival of a girl named London. Everyone around Chip views him as a self serving individual who can never quite tell the truth, but at the same time often seek life choices advisement from him. They seem to tolerate him because of his likability and love for his community. Initially it is Dennis that pines over London, but as usual Chip's self serving habit leans his eyes towards her and he always gets his way. Everyone in Venice Beach knows what each other is up to much like a small town. Chip's web of little white lies always catch up with him and little does he know, but London didn't just arrive in Venice Beach by coincidence. While Chip is living his everyday existence his sobriety is constantly being tested by topics such as his wife, the gentrification of Venice Beach and many more events in life. The plot is emotional, clever, witty, crisp and insightful. Both seasons have delivered the goods. This is an indelible series and one of the better in it's genre