Disrepair

To be honest, I was at first excited to watch. I'm an East Coast girl and a big John Reardon fan but WOW did this miss the mark. I saw it was only four short episodes on Bell and thought it wouldn't be too bad to sit through. I can understand what they were trying to do but getting past the first scene was hard. Wooden and forced acting and hollow writing. And that's when it didn't feel like the actors were struggling to make up the words on the spot. It was like that throughout the show. The ex-wife character was one of the better actors but still fell victim to contrived dialogue. The few good moments of the show were completely wiped clean during that final scene, that was so cringeworthy and overdone. It did the exact opposite of what it should have done.

Many of us know someone who has gone through something like this. Stories about addiction are important but Disrepair feels like a film school project that tries way too hard and is super cringey, which makes it fall flat. It's awkward and clumsy and not in any way that benefits the story or characters.

Disrepair feels contrived, pretentious at times, and often overacted. John Reardon was good as always.

Disrepair hit me in a way few movies do. Not because of flashy effects or a twisty plot, but because of how raw and honest it felt. Watching Jake Thomas try to rebuild his life after years of addiction was incredibly moving. The film doesn't sugarcoat the damage caused, but it also doesn't let you forget the hope that comes with trying again.

A friend of mine went through something very similar, and she said this was the first time she saw her struggle reflected so truthfully on screen. The performances were powerful, especially in the quiet moments where Jake faces his past. Disrepair isn't just about addiction-it's about the messy, painful, and courageous work of healing.

Fails to deliver on its premise. It feels disjointed and poorly executed, with writing that is often predictable and dialogue that comes across as forced and unnatural. It's hard to connect with the characters when some performances feel more awkward than authentic.

The pacing is a major issue for me. The show drags in many places, with long, drawn-out scenes that add little to the overall story. This slow progression makes it difficult to stay engaged, and by the time something remotely interesting happens, it feels almost too late to care.

The acting is another weak point. The performances are inconsistent, with some characters feeling one-note and emotionally flat.

Visually, the show doesn't stand out. The cinematography is flat, and the settings lack character. The soundtrack tries hard to make you feel something but does little to elevate things.

Ultimately, Disrepair struggles to find its footing. While there are glimpses of potential, it feels like a missed opportunity. Weak writing, lackluster performances, and poor execution make it hard to recommend.

I feel that those who struggled to see the vision may be those in society who expect perfection at every turn, and nothing less. Those who are never satisfied. Which is in a way ironic, because for me, that is part of the polarization of the reality in this short series: that the picture perfect outcome isn't easily attainable. If at all, ever.

We watch the main character's inability to recover fully, with a hope that he finally "gets it" and begins to turn a corner. Frustratingly, he fails - miserably, and his effort is (respectfully) pathetic to a degree. He sees the house burn down around him, and takes comfort in the flame rather than flee for safety, attempt to put it out, save the others in the house...anything! Isn't that exactly what so many go through as they face their version of their addiction or bad habit? Is it not relatable that those around him have their own struggles that are at times magnified or diminished by their main character who often steals the 'spotlight'?

That the story comes to an end, without resolution, and leaves an ambiguous open ending is, to me, very much reminiscent to what real life is: messy, uncertain, and noncommittal. That was the takeway and what made the story of this family's struggle to simply exist peacefully very much relatable.

As far as constructive criticism for the production itself- could there have been some improvement of the visual direction of some scenes? Sure. Could the dialogue also tighten up in some areas? Yes. I found it out of touch for the negative reviews to be as markedly stern as they were. The story wasn't difficult to follow along to, and there was a qualitative value in the frustration felt as a viewer, towards the characters. Which, again, I felt was intentional. Some not-so-perfect people are having to pull up for an even moreso not-so-great person in order to make all of their lives bearable. THAT'S real life. And it's what I came to appreciate after having watched. I wanted to see what became of these brothers. But we don't get that. Which again, is very much how life is: appreciate what you have while you have it, even if it's incomplete.

Congratulations to the cast, crew, and creators.

5/10

This review is 100% my own and not written by the filmmakers, friends or family.

While Disrepair aims to explore a serious topic, it doesn't quite succeed in delivering the emotional depth it needs. The characters feel like they're stuck in a loop, and they fail to engage, making it difficult to stay invested. It's hard to feel any kind of empathy when the characters come across as wooden and disinterested. There don't appear to be any redeeming character qualities for us to grab onto and root for. No one is looking for a super happy ending here with a story like this but we need something to root for and if the characters come off disinterested, so can the audience. Addiction is a struggle people must fight with for the rest of their lives. Maybe it's just a casting issue. Perhaps stronger actors could have made it more believable.

It feels like the show is dragging out every single scene, making what could've been a powerful moment just drag on and on until you lose interest. I get that they're trying to build tension and attempt to show real life but instead it just feels like a slog.

Some performances don't help, either. No character really gives that emotional punch that you'd expect from a show about addiction. Any attempts at an emotional punch felt like it was being overly pushed onto the audience. I will admit though, the ex-wife character almost had some decent moments and seemed to be one of the more believable actors.

In the end, Disrepair feels like it's trying to be deeper than it actually is. It's predictable.