Togetherness

It's sad that so many people can't appreciate this show. We're apparently miles apart...in sensibility. To my mind there is a unique, original kind of imagination behind it. I see it pointing the way toward a new maturity in pop filmmaking. In fact it brings the best of indie film sensibility to the small screen. It's significant that Nicole Holofcener directed one of the episodes, because her 2001 film "Lovely and Amazing" can be seen as a progenitor of the Duplass brother's capacities and interests here. I also don't think I have ever seen filmmaking that had me laughing so gratefully at such odd moments. The show's comic sensibility is very restrained and subtle. The brothers see a direction thru yearning and frustration that avoids despair and violence at all costs. It's obvious that parenthood has played a major role in getting them to this point. The portraits of the infant, for instance, are stunning.

If you recognize the quote in my title, then run don't walk to your nearest tv and watch this show (particularly episode 3 "Insanity" where the song is featured in the greatest air-drumming scene since Wayne's World). If you don't recognize the song, that's ok, check out the show anyway and become a fan of the greatest rock band in Canadian history and I'm NOT talking about Nickelback.

Where was I? Who cares, let's stay on the subject of music. Often overlooked in light of the show's dramatic and comedic charms is the incredibly awesome soundtrack to this series. It's not any 1 particular genre, and in fact it straddles the entire spectrum from 80s rock (Rush, Skid Row, Fleetwood Mac) to pop (The Cure, The Proclaimers "500 Miles") to classic country (LOVED the "Devil Went Down to Georgia" dueling dance in episode 4 "Houston We Have a Problem"!) to fresh new beats I didn't recognize, and a particularly memorable season closer that ended with the powerful song (which I had never heard before but emphatically recommend) "The Wilhelm Scream" by James Blake.

I'm dwelling on the awesome soundtrack because, in my thousands of reviews on imdb (yes, I'm that pathetic), I've noticed a direct correlation between the awesomeness of a film/show and its soundtrack. From Oscar-winning "Amadeus" to cult-cheese "Zardoz", a killer soundtrack is the mark of a great production, and "Togetherness" definitely fits the bill.

Now about the show itself. The other reviews covered that admirably, so I won't waste your time. I'll just say the 4 main characters are each very memorable, quirky, lovable and at times detestable. These 4 characters are "Alex" (Steve Zissis), a self-proclaimed chubby-balding-comical-sidekick who is a failed actor looking for serious roles even though he only gets cast as "hemorrhoid #2" in a Preparation-H commercial; his love-hate buddy "Tina" (Amanda Peet), a super hot, super cocky, grown up "mean girl" who is an utter failure in all her relationships; her sister "Michelle" (Melanie Lynskey) who is stuck in a lustless marriage and dreams of wild extramarital adventures even though the closest she gets is awkwardly flirting with adolescents outside the 7-Eleven; and finally her lustless husband "Brett" (writer/director Mark Duplass) as a really quirky, complex, vegan, borderline autistic character who is incapable of being anything other than himself which amounts to having the personality of a Roy Rogers wagon wheel coffee table.

Throw all 4 of these weirdos together in cramped quarters (temporarily living under the same roof due to various personal disasters) and you have a bona fide awesome comedy about the tragedy of real life.

I bought this blu-ray set on a whim (and because there's someone on ebay selling new sets for around $5 bucks, hurry while they last) even though I had no interest in the genre, but I was instantly hooked and ended up binge watching the entire 1st season in 1 night. Sadly, the show was cancelled after 2 seasons, and even sadlier, Season 2 will probably never be released on blu-ray. And SADLIEST OF ALL, we'll never get Season 3 with an air drumming scene of Rush "YYZ". Oh well, thank your lucky stars we got this.

HBO has scored another winner with this new series from brothers Mark and Jay Duplass it's called "Togetherness" and it's about the life and relationships of two couples one married one not all living under the same roof. It's a funny comedy drama that shows how people differ in life and true life is up and down with struggle and uncertain. Set in Los Angeles married couple Brett(Mark Duplass) and Michelle(Melanie Lynskey) have two small children and their marriage is rocky especially in the bedroom as Michelle is insecure and a little different and it's tough for Brett to come home after his hard work on movie sound stages and make hot passion! Now enter Brett's best friend from school Alex(Steve Zissis)a guy who's near 40 and he's watched his acting dreams fade away to nearly no jobs at all after getting out of shape as now only off beat advertisement companies call for his service! Now enter the sugar and spice of the series and that's Michelle's younger sister Tina(the always hot and sexy Amanda Peet)who follows big sister out to L.A. and this blunt free spirited colored bra wearing woman still can not find the right guy for some reason! Will Alex be her man? Overall wonderful series that's funny showing that life, sex, love, and family is all a challenge and a struggle that's worth it and it shows how each person is so different still different people have to interact with one another to find love. "Togetherness" is one series that should keep all together in a fun happy way!

..this is a really good series. It's truly hoped that HBO will make the right decision and go for season three. The four leads are outstanding, but in fact the entire cast is incredible. The little girl is a real star.. and AP is just captivating. There are numerous scenes in just these first two seasons which show how truly great an actor this woman really is. Sure it winds up a bit too predictable at the end of season two. But they can change that around as easily as they choose in upcoming episodes. All facets of the production are top notch, these guys have the formula down. There's a very good Vanity Fair article about them. They're a real force, and if they don't burn out, we should be seeing much great stuff continue on from them.. so look forward to it.

... after 5 years went back and watched all episodes again... it weakens marginally in second season... yet still remains one of the best of the genre.. programming today must be centered around winning-awards & big-viewership... sadly.. great-little-series with limited-viewers will always get tossed after 1-2 seasons... and yes forties Amanda Peet is awesome .

This show has exceeded my expectations on every level. It has some hilariously funny moments, but is much, much more than a comedy.

Covering friendships, working relationships and romantic ones, as well as those magical relationships without a label, this show is not afraid to be dark, and delve into the (sometimes) depressing realities of marriage/any long-term relationship.

I found it pulling at my heartstrings more and more each episode, as my understanding of the characters grew organically. None of the situations felt forced or particularly unrealistic, and always relatable.

I can only surmise that any negative reviewers don't have much relationship experience, because to me, there is so much to recognise in these characters and their bonds.

The writing is superb. The acting is even better, all the main characters blew me away. Mark Duplass, with an amazing portrayal of a man struggling with the fallacy of being normal, Melanie Lynskey, as the wife and mother who wants more, and especially manchild Steve Zissis, playing a complex funny man.

Cannot recommend it enough! Would usually leave room in a review for the downsides, but I can't really think of any.. please watch it! (I really want more seasons!!)