Have you ever wondered what makes a television show enjoyable and engaging? There are several factors to consider. Does the show bring a fresh perspective, contribute to the series' evolution, or take bold artistic risks? Are the scriptwriting and direction up to polish? If not, does it just have an entertaining vibe without attempting to make profound statements about life? However, if there are negative responses to all these questions, it begs the question - why would anyone invest their precious time in watching?
"Nobody Wants This" is a Netflix romantic comedy series based loosely on Erin Foster's life, which unfortunately falls short of providing even the most basic elements of good entertainment. The series revolves around Joanne (Kristen Bell), a podcast co-host dealing with sex and relationship issues, and Noah (Adam Brody), a rabbi confronting an ugly breakup. Despite a promising premise, the narrative fails to take off effectively due to its lack of chemistry among its leads and underdeveloped characters.
In any successful romantic comedy, the protagonists are expected to share a certain chemistry. However, this element is glaringly missing between Bell and Brody. The pair, despite being known for their passable screen performances, fail to create the irreplaceable magic that plays a crucial role in a love story's success.
The characterization of female characters in the series seems intentionally off-putting. The women appear immature, hyperemotional, and irritating, with their actions reminiscent more of teenagers than grown women. The men on the show are equally disappointing, with their inability to stand up against their controlling relatives, thus creating a lackluster narrative.
Narratives depicting people from diverse backgrounds overcoming odds for love have been successfully portrayed in television and film multiple times. However, "Nobody Wants This" fails quite miserably in this context, as the supposed challenging scenes lack depth due to poor writing.
Drawing comparisons to successful series such as "Crazy Rich Asians" and "Sex and the City" reveals the stark shortcomings in "Nobody Wants This." Where these acclaimed shows explore authentic issues such as infidelity, class, and identity, "Nobody Wants This" only seemingly deals with characters refusing to mind their own business.
Finally, the series appears to be a missed opportunity. Rather than a ten-part series, it could have perhaps achieved better success as a 90-minute film. The narrative is stretched too thinly over ten episodes, giving it the feel of a Netflix ploy to capitalize on their ad-based subscription tier. To make matters worse, the narrative doesn't reach a resolution, indicating the creators' ambitions for a second season.
In conclusion, "Nobody Wants This" fails to live up to its promised potential, with a resounding question left behind - what exactly was the promise it aimed to fulfill in the first place? Now available for review on Netflix, it seems to deliver neither humour, romance, nor adequately engaging characters.
