Kate Hudson Scores Big in Netflix’s ‘Running Point’

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The concept for a television series based on the life and era of Jeanie Buss has been circulating in Hollywood for over 20 years, given her unique connection to Hollywood. As the Los Angeles Lakers is arguably the sports team most intertwined with Hollywood, it’s no surprise that many celebrities are regular attendees at their games. The potential list of guest stars would be intriguing! Moreover, Buss’ story carries a strong message of women’s empowerment, as she became the first woman to own an NBA championship team. This achievement came amidst a dramatic family saga, where her father, Jerry Buss, passed away and left his empire to his six children. This situation could easily inspire a sports-themed spinoff of Shakespeare’s “King Lear” or a basketball version of “Succession.

Buss is humorous and happens to be married to comedian Jay Mohr. She’s known for her progressive and independent spirit (or contentious stance, depending on one’s political views), prioritizing her career above all else. She’s posed nude for Playboy, spoken out boldly throughout her life, and is now the subject of a biopic or a show similar to “Ballers” or “Arli$$”. Fortunately, Netflix’s “Running Point” will bring this story to life, with Kate Hudson portraying Buss in the series. Hudson seems well-suited for the role, not only because of her friendship with the Lakers owner, but also due to her talent. The show boasts a lively cast of characters and delves so deeply into stereotypical female empowerment tropes that it teeters on the edge of toppling over. Despite this, the entertaining cast and its embrace of absurdity make it worth watching.

The Cast on the Court in ‘Running Point’

As a movie critic, I must admit that Kate Hudson has had her fair share of ups and downs in the film industry over the past decade. However, when she steps onto the screen, she does so with an undeniable force that leaves you spellbound. This was evidently true in her captivating portrayal in “Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon” and her charming presence in “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Story”. It’s been a while since we saw her shine in those winningly breezy, successful romantic comedies.

In “Running Point”, Hudson effortlessly slips back into that familiar role, but this time, it’s more like a powerful suit with shoulder pads. She’s hilarious, full of energy, and completely invested, although at times it seems she’s pushing herself a bit too hard. Nevertheless, it’s a delight to see her back in form.

In a more amiable and familiar spin on the Buss family dynasty, Hudson portrays Isla Gordon, the lone sister of the Gordon clan. Her brother, Cam Gordon (the humorous and consistently impressive Justin Theroux, who has minimal screen time), owns the Los Angeles Waves, but after a severe fallout, both literally and metaphorically, he lands in the hospital and hands over control to Isla. This development takes her brothers by surprise – Sandy (Drew Tarver, a hilarious Jason Bateman doppelganger) and Ness (Scott MacArthur, amusing but slightly miscast in this role).

In a simplified version: Brenda Song portrays Isla’s devoted assistant and second-in-command, Ali. Although her character is supposed to be overzealous, it becomes tiresome and repetitive quickly. Dane DiLiegro and particularly Jon Glaser provide plenty of laughs in their smaller roles, and the characters that make up the Los Angeles Waves are skillfully chosen. Jay Ellis delivers a solid performance as Jay Brown, but the romantic storyline between him and Isla is off-target and lacks chemistry. Scott Evans, Uche Agada, Toby Sandeman, and Justin Hurtt-Dunkley all do well in their roles, but it’s Chet Hanks who steals the show.

Without resorting to the label of “stunt casting,” Hanks delivers uproarious humor as an unsophisticated, blunt-talking fellow who appears to be more at home in a HR office’s waiting room than its inner sanctum. His dry wit and skillful use of physicality are commendable, even if he occasionally leans too heavily on a single note. It would be intriguing to see him tackle a character with a deeper complexity in the future, as his performance in Running Point suggests that there’s more depth to his talent than the gossip columns might suggest.

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2025-02-27 11:31