As a fan with a penchant for dark comedies that resonate deeply with real-life experiences, I found “The Decameron” on Netflix to be nothing short of brilliant. The series, set against the backdrop of a pandemic, feels eerily relevant to our current times and yet, it manages to pack in plenty of laughs amidst the darkness – a balance that is often hard to find.
Netflix’s contemporary dark comedy titled “The Decameron” explores the behavior of affluent individuals trapped in isolation during a pandemic. Interestingly, this plot might remind you of recent times, and that’s not by chance.
Showrunner Kathleen Jordan drew inspiration from the unprecedented times brought about by COVID-19 and the idea of exploring a pandemic’s impact on everyday life. Drawn to the theme, she crafted her narrative around the style of Giovanni Boccaccio’s tales written during the Black Death, finding a means to resonate with contemporary audiences.
As a gamer, I’d say: “I found myself immersed in an intriguing gaming scenario populated by stars like Tony Hale, Zosia Mamet, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Jessica Plummer, and Tanya Reynolds. We’re all holed up in an Italian villa, trying to ride out a plague. At first glance, it seems more like a dramatic tale, but the show’s distinct humor and the actors’ superb performances inject plenty of laughter into the mix. Yet, it doesn’t shy away from some grim moments too.”
“Mamet admires how effectively the comedy and darkness were combined in this well-crafted work, as she finds it challenging to strike the right balance between these two elements often,” is a possible paraphrase that maintains the original meaning while using simpler language.
In the series, Mamet’s fellow actor, Jackson, shared a similar sentiment. He expressed, “I believe it was treated within its unique category. It seemed to blend genres quite a bit.”
Throughout the show’s episodes, various characters often interact on a one-on-one basis, but certain duos consistently appear. Notably, some of the most intriguing relationships in the series involve a noble character and their servant. For instance, Mamet is frequently paired with Jackson, while Plummer shares a strong bond with Reynolds.
For Reynolds and Plummer, playing Licisca and Filomena respectively, the bond felt natural from the start. “It seemed quite organic, the chemistry between us, didn’t it?” Reynolds queries Plummer, who concurs. “I feel like we simply embodied our characters,” she remarks. Playfully, Plummer suggests: “We were just destined to portray these roles.”
In the play, both Mamet, portraying Pampinea, and Jackson, as her devoted character Misia, found a striking resemblance in their character development process. “Not every time is it like this,” Mamet notes about her quick bond with Jackson. “Often, more work is required to establish the relationship.”
“She goes on to say that we seem to have struck lucky when we first met each other on set, as we fell for one another instantly. She praises Jackson for being an exceptional actor and a truly remarkable person. The actress explains that our chemistry was so strong that we didn’t require much preparation before the cameras started rolling; we simply found ourselves ‘playing’ together naturally.”
In agreement with Mamet, Jackson expresses delight in collaborating, stating, “Zosia’s talent is exceptional, her versatility in acting is vast, making it a pleasure to anticipate how each scene will unfold.”
“Jackson adds, ‘It’s delightful to follow along in those scenes.’ Typically, Mamet guides the story, and it’s a pleasure to embark on that shared narrative and emotional ride with her.”
Hale found the character arc for Sirisco in “The Decameron” particularly rewarding. As the unofficial leader of the group, Sirisco presented an opportunity that the actor felt was often lacking for comedic actors. Hale enjoyed playing Gary in “Veep” and “Arrested Development,” but he admits that Gary’s character remained largely emasculated and stuck in a buzzer role. It was refreshing for him to see a transformation in Sirisco, as the character gained confidence, courage, and strength.
A consistent theme that runs throughout the show is the unveiling of hidden truths. Each character harbors at least one secret, with varying degrees of gravity, yet Hale frequently becomes entangled in many of these plotlines, playing a pivotal role across different episodes.
“Each actor harbored a personal secret, every character did, and that’s absolutely priceless according to Hale. Knowing a secret while conversing with someone else who also has their own secret; the audience may be privy to these secrets, but we aren’t… There’s nothing more thrilling than performing in that suspenseful atmosphere. It’s simply exhilarating.”
In the series, Hale’s character Sirisco can elicit laughter, yet he demonstrates profoundly emotional and sentimental moments as well. The actor relishes both aspects. Reflecting on the show, Hale notes, “One aspect I admire greatly about it is how a pandemic-like situation reveals the worst and best in people.” He adds, “No one is entirely good or bad.”
The Decameron is now streaming on Netflix.
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2024-08-06 00:25