As a seasoned movie critic with a heart that beats for stories that resonate deeply, I must say that Netflix’s latest offering, “A Man on the Inside,” has truly captured my heart. The premise, while seemingly outlandish, is rooted in reality, as evidenced by the 2020 Chilean documentary, “The Mole Agent.
The recently released Netflix series titled “A Man on the Inside,” which has gained significant popularity, is not just fiction – it’s based on actual events! This captivating show produced by Mike Schur, featuring Ted Danson in a gripping role, might appear to be an over-the-top concept, but it is true. Interestingly, a 2020 documentary from Chile named “The Mole Agent” delved into a similar story.
As fate would have it, I’ve stumbled upon a fantastic documentary that you can stream for free on Tubi at this very moment! Plus, if you’re a Netflix subscriber, you can catch it there as well. Enjoy the show!
“Inside Job: The Spy Next Door” narrates the tale of Charles (Danson), a widowed, retired academic who answers an advertisement in a newspaper and unexpectedly becomes a covert operative for a private detective. As his wife has recently passed away, Charles has been living a solitary life and Emily (Mary Elizabeth Ellis), his daughter, expresses concern over his lack of stimulation or purpose. After meeting the PI Julie (Lilah Richcreek) and showcasing his talents such as using a phone for photography, this dynamic duo collaborates to unravel the enigma surrounding a resident’s stolen heirloom necklace.
The underlying theme in the movie “The Mole Agent” is an unusual yet deeply rooted concern that people have about their elderly parents’ well-being. In this documentary by Maite Alberdi, a private detective named Rómulo enlists an older man named Sergio to secretly live among the residents of a nursing home in El Monte, Chile. The client is concerned that her mother Sonia is being mistreated by the staff, as items are missing and she has a black eye. Assuming the identity of a new resident, Sergio explores these concerns while intermingling with fellow seniors like Berta, Marta, and Rubeira.
‘A Man on the Inside’ and ‘The Mole Agent’ Are Critical and Commercial Hits
Notably, both “A Man on the Inside” and “The Mole Agent” have garnered high praise on Rotten Tomatoes, boasting fresh ratings of 94% and 95%, respectively. Interestingly, “The Mole Agent” was nominated for the prestigious Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 93rd ceremony (which took place in 2021). Remarkably, it was also chosen as Chile’s entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the awards. This documentary stands out as a charming illustration of observational, cinema verite-style filmmaking.
Inside Scoop: The creator of “Parks and Recreation” and “The Good Place,” Mike Schur, joins forces once more with Ted Danson, marking their first collaboration since “The Good Place” wrapped up. Danson previously played Michael, a devious architect of the afterlife who aimed to torment Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell), Chidi Anagonye (William Jackson Harper), Jason Mendoza (Manny Jacinto), and Tahani Al-Jamil (Jameela Jamil) in the popular series that aired from 2016 to 2020. Over its four seasons, it garnered fourteen Emmy Award nominations and received widespread critical praise.
During an interview on NPR’s Fresh Air, the creator expressed his thoughts about both “A Man on the Inside” and “The Mole Agent.
“The documentary stood out to me in particular because everyone I know who watched it shared the same emotional response – they felt compelled to contact their loved ones, be it their mom, grandpa, or children. This piece of art is unique, I believe, in evoking such a heartwarming and uplifting sentiment in everyone. Afterwards, my longtime producing partner Morgan Sackett suggested we re-make it with Ted Danson as the lead character, and as soon as he said that, I knew it was a brilliant idea and that we could create a slightly fictionalized series that might bring about the same emotional response for viewers.
Both “A Man on the Inside” and “The Mole Agent” shine a light on a frequently neglected part of our society: the elderly and those in their later years. All too often, these individuals are overlooked and discarded. However, both the TV show and the movie offer respect and depth to their subjects’ lives, leaving you charmed and disarmed by turn. Although some might argue that the Netflix series is guilty of whitewashing, both productions are delightful and definitely worth your time.
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2024-11-22 20:32