It is fascinating to me when performers are known for one
thing and then they do something totally different very effectively.
Ricky Gervais is best known for his toxic persona and
skewering everyone in the room as two-time host of the Golden Globes. And now he has created a lovely series like
Derek. He is wonderfully affecting as a
seemingly mentally challenged man who works as a caretaker in a nursing
home. This mockumentary style show has
so much heart and compassion that all I could think was - how is this the same
person? Is his persona just a
persona? Or is this poignant stuff just a
bunch of bunk?
Now, I’ve seen other comedians do drama very well – Jim
Carrey, Robin Williams, Steve Martin, Will Farrell – but this is something
different. Derek is a different kind of comedy
– or dramedy if you will – and there’s also an element of social commentary on
Derek – about caring for the elderly and the bureaucracy of institutionalized
care. It took me completely by surprise
and moved me to tears. Derek is simply
wonderful and everyone should watch it.


One more thing about comedians crossing over. I am intrigued by Steve Carell, who displayed
some non funny chops last summer in The Way Way Back. Since Cannes, there is Oscar buzz for his portrayal
of a paranoid schizophrenic murderer in the film Foxcatcher. I definitely would call myself a Steve Carell
fan and I would love to be forced to call him “Academy Award winner Steve Carell”
for the rest of my life.
I have heard about Derek, but I've never watched. I did become intrigued by this character after seeing a review and seeing Gervais interviewed about it. I have to agree with you, he doesn't seem like a very warm & fuzzy guy, though he's always funny in interviews. I didn't share your praise for The Invention Of Lying, but I picked up a cheap Blu-ray of Ghost Town on your recommendation (haven't watched it yet). I enjoyed the animated show Gervais had on HBO with Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington, although the both of them ganging up on Karl grew a bit tiresome. So now, Derek goes into the queue!
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait for your thoughts on Derek & Ghost Town - and to continue the discussion of Ricky Gervais, international funny man of mystery.
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