‘The Sticky’ Review: Margo Martindale Anchors Amazon’s Watered-Down Maple Syrup Heist Comedy

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As a connoisseur of crime dramas with a particular fondness for small-town heists, I found myself drawn to “The Sticky” like a maple syrup-starved beaver to a sugar bush. Alas, my sweet tooth was left unsatisfied.

Maple syrup has an efficiency problem.

Based on its sugar content, it usually takes about 40 parts of maple sap to produce one part of syrup, which is why authentic maple syrup can be quite expensive and many widely recognized syrups are vague about their “maple” composition.

More sap than syrup, Amazon‘s The Sticky has efficiency problems of its own.

The show, titled “The Sticky,” seems to be a reflection of the current trend in television, where shows are structured in a manner that doesn’t align well with their storyline. This six-part series, available on Amazon Prime Video, appears more suited for a 90-minute independent film format, similar to those that would have stirred up bids at Sundance in the past. Alternatively, it could serve as a standalone episode for a new season of “Fargo,” if you prefer to call it “Far-Goo.

It’s also plausible that a longer format might have made the story feel more fitting. Although the story currently feels somewhat stretched, each of its six non-decisive episodes are just half an hour long. If the series were to be extended to six 50-minute episodes with a clear ending, or if it could be made more eccentric, character-focused, or better reflect its Quebec setting, it might have been more fulfilling for viewers.

In both cases, whether it’s excessive or insufficient, “The Sticky” at least merits recognition for its swift pace and providing Margo Martindale with a well-earned prominent role on the call sheet.

In a small Quebec town, an Emmy-winning actress portrays Ruth Landry, a maple syrup farmer. Known throughout the community, Ruth’s life has been affected as her husband has been in a coma for many years. Taking advantage of her vulnerable situation, Leonard Gauthier, the cunning leader of the provincial sugar association (AEQ, or Association Érable Québec), seeks to evict her from her land. He initially uses regulatory power and later employs methods that seem questionably legal.

Remy Bouchard (Guillaume Cyr), the solitary security guard for a maple syrup reserve, finds himself in an uncommon predicament as he’s responsible for safeguarding a warehouse filled with hundreds of barrels potentially worth tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars. Despite his crucial role, Remy often feels undervalued and criticized. He yearns for additional support to assist him effectively at his vital post; however, his requests for reinforcements are repeatedly dismissed by Leonard and Léo Gauthier (Mickaël Gouin), the latter serving as Leonard’s son and second-in-command.

In this scenario, Remy contacts Mike, an old acquaintance known for handling financial matters for a criminal group based in Boston. Among his tasks are collecting debts from small enterprises and maintaining the gardens of a mansion, though I’m unsure as to whom the property belongs.

Mike’s personality appears inconsistent and puzzling at first sight. Over time, we discover his ambitions led him to become an object of ridicule, which seems to explain his placement in an unremarkable position in a nondescript location. However, he oscillates between being timid and spineless on one hand, and displaying psychotic aggression on the other. It’s striking that he has been doing this same behavior for years, yet some locals mock him while others are completely oblivious to his presence. Furthermore, Mike frequently refers to Ruth’s comatose husband as akin to a brother, but there’s no evidence provided to support or explain such a claim.

Despite the Boston mob in Quebec seemingly collecting funds only from small farmers and local business owners, Mike has no ties whatsoever to the wealthiest organization in the province. Consequently, when Remy suggests they orchestrate a heist on the syrup reserve at a nearby hibachi restaurant – where Mike happens to be with an unidentified woman who doesn’t appear again in the conversation – Mike reacts as if it’s a fresh idea.

As I find myself drawn in by Ruth’s predicament, I extend an invitation for her to join our crew. As our illicit schemes and casualties pile up, the local authorities, represented by Gita Miller’s Teddy and Valérie Nadeau from Montreal (whose backstory remains a mystery), start paying attention. Both officers are rather bland in character, but unexpectedly, they find themselves clasping hands. I bring this up not to reveal any spoilers, but to highlight the somewhat shallow narrative development of the storyline.

There’s so much happening in this story that seems illogical or inexplicable, leaving me yearning for a glimpse at the discarded script pages I imagine would provide answers to these logical inconsistencies, sacrificed perhaps for the sake of convenience. In essence, while The Sticky follows a structure, it lacks a coherent and understandable plot.

The lack of resemblance to real events can be traced back to the early stages of Blumhouse Television’s production. While there was indeed a maple syrup robbery in Quebec around 2011-2012, it’s important to note that the opening credits clarify that “This is not based on the true events of The Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist.” It appears that the writers were captivated by the idea of a national maple syrup reserve and chose to depart from the actual events — as depicted in Netflix’s Dirty Money — in favor of a more traditional and, therefore, less expansive take on the familiar small-town heist narrative.

Prior to any mention of Nancy Kerrigan, my observations had drawn parallels between “The Sticky” and Craig Gillespie’s “I, Tonya“. Both works seem to have a unique focus on the absurdity hidden within the ordinary, often adopting a somewhat derisive view of rural hardship. This series is less scornful of its down-to-earth characters than the movie was, but it doesn’t veer too far from that tone. Unfortunately, the characters and their community lack the depth to evoke the required empathy for this type of narrative — a pity, as the filming locations in Quebec give it a genuine feel.

Among all characters, it’s likely Mike, portrayed by Diamantopoulos, who is frequently met with disdain due to his frequent slips and falls in the snow and constant complaints about the cold. The show may not seem particularly fond of Remy, but Remy’s heartwarming bond with his father, skillfully played by Michel Perron, might be the only genuinely sympathetic connection within the series.

In a surprising turn, none of the acts express any hint of contempt. Instead, Cyr skillfully portrays Remy as pitiful yet understandably aggravated by his role as the town’s frequent target. Jamie Lee Curtis, serving as an executive producer, delivers an impressive over-the-top performance in one episode. Diamantopoulos, known for his enthusiasm to play larger-than-life characters, exhibits remarkable restraint, avoiding several stereotypical choices, such as a Boston accent, which likely required discussion.

Currently, only actors who originate from Quebec are portraying Quebecois accents, which makes perfect sense. Although I wish “The Sticky” had a bit more zest or humor, the potential for it becoming too similar to a “Letterkenny” side plot could have been an issue. The show avoids many straightforward French-Canadian jokes that one might expect, not necessarily replaced by superior ones, but rather set aside, along with additional background details and complexities.

The core strength of this series lies in the presence of Martindale as its lead character. Her role often involves cursing, dealing with people, and growing more frustrated, yet it’s difficult not to empathize with her situation instead of criticizing her actions. Those who haven’t seen the second season of Justified are the ones who haven’t had the chance to compare Ruth to the kindly yet ruthless criminal matron Mags Bennett. They are indeed the most fortunate viewers, as they can bypass The Sticky. For those who have watched Justified, there’s no question about its effectiveness.

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2024-12-05 17:25