Aug 27, 20223 min read

The Bear: Unexpected Flavour

Updated: Feb 11, 2023

Reviews by:

@the_owlseyes

RATE THIS SERIES

“When you come out of the grips of a depression there is an incredible relief, but not one you feel allowed to celebrate. Instead, the feeling of victory is replaced with anxiety that it will happen again, and with shame and vulnerability when you see how your illness affected your family, your work, everything left untouched while you struggled to survive. We come back to life thinner, paler, weaker … but as survivors. Survivors who don’t get pats on the back from coworkers who congratulate them on making it. Survivors who wake to more work than before because their friends and family are exhausted from helping them fight a battle they may not even understand. I hope to one day see a sea of people all wearing silver ribbons as a sign that they understand the secret battle, and as a celebration of the victories made each day as we individually pull ourselves up out of our foxholes to see our scars heal, and to remember what the sun looks like.”

Jenny Lawson, Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things

PLOT

"A young chef from the fine dining world returns to Chicago to run his family's sandwich shop" or "The service industry is a jungle"

SCRIPT

The main reason why this series works. The script isn't just about a chef trying to turn upside down a restaurant which is in a dire condition but also loss, passion, addiction, labour and economy. Every scene has something meaningful to say and its filled with emotions and pathos. Each character presents a satisfying growth and evolution which impact the restaurant and their own lives. Most of you will understand the situation without being a cook yourself because it tells a story everyody is aware of: the workplace and its people are like a second family and only together we can survive in this world.

The show's depth is outstanding and will touch you.

I think that the est accomplishment of this series is the validation of a job which is usually undervalued and misrepresented.

Script: 9/10

ACTING

Top notch performances by all the cast, especially Jeremy Allen White who shows a great range and carries this series on his shoulders. There're a couple of guest stars who lift up the quality and are used well.

I don't have much to say about it because I didn't expect that.

Acting: 9/10

PHOTOGRAPHY

The light isn't flat and the colors have a role. The colors are what shows the restaurant's evolution as those become increasingly warmer with each episode. The filter applied to the camera gives to the show a sense of realism without being pretentious. Satisfying but I've expected more.

Photography: 7/10

EDITING

One of the strongest aspect of this series. Considert that there's an entire episode of 20 minutes made of a continuous take and its wonderful. The rest of the series is edited in a way that makes you feel the pressure, the stress and the sense of urgency felt by the character. Shaky cameras and fast cuts are used masterfully. I also like how the food is framed and staged.

Editing: 8/10

SPECIAL EFFECTS

This is one of the most practical shows I've ever watched and it's good because it keeps the realism alive and well.

Special Effects: 6/10

SOUNDTRACK

Mostly forgettable bu there're some songs and aspects of the theme which are interesting and well done. Overall I consider it decent.

Soundtrack: 6/10