in golfing comedy falconWill Ferrell plays yet another obnoxious narcissist who is so charming and charismatic that we (mostly) root for him. This sports satire is loud, chaotic, hilarious – but a little too familiar.
With a career spanning over three decades, it’s hard to believe that Will Ferrell has never headlined a scripted series before. Sure, he has appeared Saturday night LiveAnd after that he worked on various shows with guest cameos and short multi-episode arcs. but netflix falcon This is the first instance in his career, and is the only time he has headlined a series. We know about Ferrell’s excellent performances on the big screen, but when he delivers those same comedy beats on television, is it a hit or a miss?
falcon It was created by Ferrell along with his regular collaborators Harper Steele and Chris Henchy. Jessica Elbaum and Alix Taylor from Gloria Sanchez Productions and Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman from T-Street also serve as producers. The series follows Lonnie ‘The Hawk’ Hawkins, formerly one of the number one golf players on the planet. However, in the final stages of his career, Hawkins has one regret: he never won a Grand Slam, and it weighs heavy on his mind. He came close once, losing to Golden Fisk (Luke Wilson). Now, even years later, the itch for success has never gone away. He remains as competitive as ever, especially with his son Lance Hawkins (Jimmy Tatro) threatening to destroy his golfing legacy.
Driven by jealousy, competitiveness, and an insatiable desire to never give up, Lonnie once again takes it upon himself to chase the PGA Tour, setting his sights on the elusive Grand Slam victory – even if it means alienating those closest to him.
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It offers a clichéd tale of fishing out of water, but the writing and acting are strong enough to make it a success. It takes a proven formula and sticks to it: Ferrell doesn’t shy away from the characters he’s best at – whether that’s Ron Burgundy, Cam Brady and the like. In fact, he doubles it, and for those who still can’t get enough after decades, falcon It’s a triumph and the culmination of everything Pharrell has learned in the art of eccentricity, absurdity and narcissism. We are watching a master at work.
Like all of Ferrell’s other characters, Lonnie is pretentious, obnoxious, and extremely egotistical and narcissistic. There is a feeling of pity – this is a man who craves attention, and his insecurities manifest in social stunts and his need to be liked and respected. He will stop at nothing to gain praise, even if it means betraying his loved ones. In his mind, there is only one way to prove himself: winning at golf.
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The TV format should allow Ferrell to develop a character more deeply than ever before, and playing Lonnie ‘The Hawk’ Hawkins gives him ample scope – at least from the beginning – to expand his horizons a bit more than usual. That said, over the course of 10 episodes, I expected to see an extensive emotional journey for Lonnie herself; The story was well set up for further emotional aspects, from his son and ex-wife to his newfound caddy and his rise from obscurity. Lonnie’s relationship with his son Lance comes closest in the show, but it never gets too emotional before becoming the butt of jokes.
It could have offered an emotional arc similar to AppleTV’s hit sports-comedy ted lassoWhere Jason Sudeikis takes the audience on a truly heartfelt and touching journey. falcon It doesn’t end with the same rewarding outcome, but it will make you laugh, which is definitely a winning feat for comedy.
In addition to Ferrell, the serialized format gives additional voices to the supporting cast, which is where it shines most. It’s easy to be impressed by Molly Shannon as Lonnie’s ex-wife turned tea baron Stacey, who is outspoken, high-strung and clearly came to the world of golf through both her ex-husband and son. Of course, Shannon has worked with Ferrell for decades, dating back to Saturday Night Live in the 1990s. Their chemistry was never going to be an issue.
Image Credit: Netflix
Perhaps the biggest wins to come out of the series are Jimmy Tatro’s Lance and Fortune Feemster’s Sam. Tatro brilliantly plays Lonnie’s neglected son Lance, who is trying to break out of his father’s shadow and play the game, but the pressures he faces lead to rebellion and substance abuse. Meanwhile, Feemster is overjoyed as Sam finds a woman Lonnie meets in a Walmart parking lot and she hires him to be her golf caddy (a glorified assistant).
Consisting of 10 episodes, each episode’s duration is approximately 30 minutes. The series progresses at a fast pace. The creative decision to cut the episode into 30-minute installments feels like a minor misfire; Some of them will feel better moving together. There are a few small twists, like a trip to Vegas, but nothing that becomes the entire story.
Ferrell’s films usually center on his central character but falcon We have managed to develop our supporting cast more effectively than the time constraints of their films. Most importantly, Lance Hawkins’ journey of confidence, self-doubt, and battle is undoubtedly the most fascinating aspect of the series. She is the most grounded and self-aware character in the show.
Naturally, the comedy is not subtle. It favors absurdism, surrealism, physical comedy and repetitive comedy. Additionally, it could have been easy for the show to get lost in the myriad of golfing jargon, but it keeps the game completely accessible (with a few puns and subtle jokes aimed at golf fans). I went into it with very little knowledge of golf and I had never lost.
decision
falcon The minimum requirement for any comedy-drama is easily achieved: it is In fact funny. It’s a step up from your typical background, time-wasting comedy, but a far cry from a reputable comedy-drama.
This series is neither hole-in-one, nor birdie. It’s pretty much on par with most of Ferrell’s other films; Undoubtedly funny and hilarious, but completely forgettable. At this point, his signature style has thinned out a bit, and this series proves it.
