The Brink

Tim Robbins is Walter Larson, on the cabinet to the U. S. president. State department worker Alex (Jack Black) and fleet driver Rafiq ( Aasif Mandvi) go tooling around town, in search of fun and excitement...that is, drugs and girls. As things heat up in Pakistan, they try to keep a lid on the violence and anti-U. S. activity, which could turn into war. Pilot Zeke Tilson has taken too many pills, and is flying around in very expensive equipment. John Larroquette is the ambassador. It's a good mix of political drama and humor. Sadly, there's only one season, having been canceled already, after the first season. This is currently on HBO/Max streaming channel. Check it out! If enough people like it, maybe it will come back!

I am having the best time watching "The Brink." It's a funny, clever, fast moving half hour of t.v. If you're not paying attention, you'll miss so many great lines. Tim Robbins is hysterical as Secretary of State. Reminds me of Charlie Wilson; womanizer, drinker, but smart as heck. Jack Black is not my favorite comedian but he is winning me over in this series. John Larrouquette plays the fanatical religious ambassador to perfection. Pablo Schreiber is a lovable screw up. I don't think of Esai Morales as a comedic actor but he plays comedy really well. I could go on and on about each character so I'll conclude with this. Each and everyone of their performances knocks it out of the park. I applaud the writers of this great show. If this series is not picked up for a second season, I'll be terribly disappointed.

HBO's new show "The Brink" tells the story of the U.S. government and their attempts at foreign affair through dark comedy and satire. Without spoiling anything, the show brings you around the world as you follow characters like Alex Talbot (Jack Black), Walter Larson (Tim Robbins), and Zeke Tilson (Pablo Schreiber) through U.S. government and military scramble to prevent World War 3 from happening.

It's been a long time since I actually found a TV show this funny. The cast in this show are fantastic; Jack Black, Tim Robbins, and Pablo Schreiber really sell the show for me along with many other supporting actors. When I first saw Jack Black, I thought his performance was going to be over the top with crazy expressions and hand gestures, but I'm glad that he toned it down. Don't get me wrong, I love Jack Black. I just didn't think that his performance in Tenacious D was going to work in here. Compared to the movies he usually does, The Brink combines a serious, suspenseful, and playful tone at the same time.

In conclusion, the pacing in this movie is really good, this is not the type of show that has a lot of background story in character development. They are more concerned with the present and fast paced movie that gives you suspense and a good laugh. Overall, I'm really impressed with this show and I hope it goes on for many more seasons!

This show is not for the fainthearted or those who get offended easily.

I would consider it more a satire than a comedy as it deals with a very sensitive and frightening topic in a "goofy" manner. The characters are not "trying" to be funny, they are just exaggerated stereotypes which, mixed with the situations they are thrown in, can cause a few chuckles and a couple head shakes. The producers are definitely bold without being vulgar or condescending, so far... That said, it is very graphical and uncensored.

The way the show is filmed really puts you in the action with the characters and add to the experience.

The actors are all very good in their roles. Tim Robin plays an excellent perv Secretary of State and Jack Black's performance is toned down but still very enjoyable. I also like the way the Pakistani family is portrayed.

All in, I really got hooked when I first saw the preview and the show did not disappoint. Through their personality flaws, the characters still manage to get things done and I just can't wait to see the next episode.

With some of the lame shows out there, I find this one very refreshing and I hope they will stick to their plan and finish it right instead of selling out until it's not worth watching anymore.

You should at least give it a try.

Enjoy. E.

"The Brink" is most certainly a political satire and not a comedy. The exaggeration and the ridicule is obvious from the start. But sadly not far from the truth...

It's about a fictional U.S. government which must deal with a foreign crisis. Its first season focuses on a crisis in Pakistan. The show was conceived that each season will follow a different crisis somewhere in the world with the same characters. (IF it gets a 2nd season that is!).

There are a few main characters. An alcoholic Secretary of State played by Tim Robbins, a lowly Foreign Service officer in Islamabad played by Jack Black and lots of other known comedic actors in various roles.

It is mildly funny because of these talents but if you go for the satire you might need a sharper bite. It seems like the creators went for some kind of Dr Strangelove type of thing, but fails short to deliver any real political messages.

Overall: Basically I would say "Meh!" but the cast is good so I will keep watching for now.

UPDATE (after watching the whole season): It gets better and 9th and 10th (season finale) episodes are GREAT! Highly Recommended!!