World News Headlines January 21, 2022 Under One Ceiling 0 ‘Somebody Somewhere’ is an uplifting examination of adult friendship 0 0000 0 0 more now viewing ‘Somebody Somewhere’ is an uplifting examination of adult friendship January 21, 2022 Under One Ceiling now playing Transferring money from UAE abroad: what are my cheapest options January 21, 2022 Under One Ceiling WIN With Nespresso This Mother’s Day January 21, 2022 Under One Ceiling NBA Playoffs 2022: A Casual Fan's Guide to the Postseason January 21, 2022 Under One Ceiling Best New Climbing Gear of 2022 January 21, 2022 Under One Ceiling A Local Weekend Travel Guide to Austin, Texas January 21, 2022 Under One Ceiling First Drive: 2022 Range Rover Ups the Luxury SUV Experience January 21, 2022 Under One Ceiling Most Stylish Rain Jackets, Parkas, and Trench Coats for Men January 21, 2022 Under One Ceiling EU eyes Russian oil import ban as Moscow strikes western Ukraine January 21, 2022 Under One Ceiling World-class Clark Int’l Airport opens new 110,000 square-meter passenger terminal January 21, 2022 Under One Ceiling PCG: Bodies of 5 children who drowned in Taal Lake found January 21, 2022 Under One Ceiling ‘Somebody Somewhere’ is an uplifting examination of adult friendship HBO Max’s Somebody Somewhere is a dramedy in the truest sense of the word. With comedians like Bridget Everett, Jeff Hiller, and Murray Hill involved, you know plenty of laughs are in store. However, each chuckle-inducing moment services a larger, quietly moving story: one about living through loss and finding community in unexpected places. Sam (Everett, who is also an executive producer) is close to giving up on herself. She recently moved back to her hometown of Manhattan, Kansas, to care for her sister Holly, who has since passed away. Without Holly, Sam is unmoored: stuck in both an essay-grading job that she hates and a town where she no longer feels at home. (I promise this show is funny, even if it doesn’t sound like it quite yet.) SEE ALSO: The 10 best comedies on HBO Max While at her job, Sam reconnects with former classmate Joel (Hiller). She doesn’t remember him, but he remembers her as the star of their high school choir. He invites her to “choir practice,” an open mic night for a group of Manhattan misfits held at a local church. It’s where Joel encourages Sam to perform again and come out of her shell. Murray Hill, Jon Hudson Odom, and Jeff Hiller at “choir practice.” Credit: HBO Sam and Joel’s friendship is the heart of Somebody Somewhere. Their discussions move easily between ridiculous and touching, hilarious and heart-wrenching. In one episode, they stalk Sam’s suspicious brother-in-law Rick (Danny McCarthy), but still find time to discuss drinking one’s own pee in a survival situation. In another, they bare their souls to each other before starting a Zumba routine. It’s the kind of on-screen relationship that demands nothing less than perfection from its actors, and Everett and Hiller deliver with their dynamite chemistry. If you’re familiar with Everett’s raunchy cabaret stylings, you’ll be surprised and delighted by her vulnerability here. Her larger-than-life persona still comes through in several of the show’s musical performances, granting us a glimpse of a happier, unburdened Sam. Whether she’s breaking down at her job or belting out “Piece of My Heart,” Everett nails it. Sam and Joel’s friendship is the kind of on-screen relationship that demands nothing less than perfection from its actors, and Everett and Hiller deliver with their dynamite chemistry. Hiller matches her at every turn, portraying Joel as deeply compassionate, yet still a mess in his own way. He brings a warmth and excitement to each of his scenes, but there’s a sense that he longs for more fulfillment in his life — and that he’s too embarrassed to vocalize exactly what he wants to the people around him. The show ends up being as much a character study of Joel as is it of Sam. While things definitely happen in Somebody Somewhere, its plot takes a backseat to simply letting its characters exist in Manhattan. Story threads surface then disappear for an episode or two, only to make a quiet return. This unhurried pacing allows the show to slowly but surely develop not only Sam and Joel, but also the people in their orbit, like Sam’s mother and father (Jane Brody and Mike Hagerty), her other sister Tricia (Mary Catherine Garrison), and Joel’s friend/choir practice host Fred Rococo (Hill). They may not always be onscreen, but when you see them, it’s like you’ve known them your whole life. They may not always be onscreen, but when you see them, it’s like you’ve known them your whole life. Since the characters and the world of Somebody Somewhere feel so real and lived-in, the emotions hit hard. Sam’s grief is almost palpable, and series creators Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen never once shy away from the impact of Holly’s passing. Still, as heavy as Sam’s sadness can get, Somebody Somewhere always stays close to its humorous roots. Quiet levity cuts through even the darkest moments, proof of this show’s remarkable tonal balancing act. In between all the laughter and tears, Somebody Somewhere reaffirms the importance of finding a friend who really gets you, warts and all. After all, Joel and Sam found each other. If you’re feeling alone, somebody somewhere will find you too. Somebody Somewhere airs on HBO and HBO Max Sundays at 10:30 p.m. ET. Related No related posts. tags: RSS Feed World News 0000 0 0 previous Dionne Warwick is determined to see the return of Taylor Swift's scarf next Flower-like solar panels collect daylight for their nightly light shows
