Disc Reviews

Family Tree Review

20th Sep 2013

Who would’ve thought back in 2006 that the actor playing the Irish lanky useless IT support guy in The IT Crowd would become a Hollywood movie actor, the anti-hero who everyone seems to fancy and who has charmed the American viewers. But Chris O’Dowd has somehow made that transition in the past seven years in a very subtle way. He’s popping up everywhere in America, from cult television Girls and even Family Guy to international movie hits like Bridesmaids. Family Tree, whilst a very British tale, is commissioned by the powerhouse of great television HBO.

O’Dowd plays Tom Chadwick, your typical 30 something in crisis. Love life gone to crap, recently unemployed and a family who is bonkers, he embarks on a quest to find out about his family’s history which ends up taking him to America. It is difficult to review Family Tree as it really is a strange little show. Whilst you couldn’t describe it as slow it does feel very laid back, it’s a Sunday afternoon, pyjamas style programme which would probably leave you feeling very relaxed and probably slightly stoned. From the mind of This is Spinal Tap writer, Christopher Guest, it has dry, ironic humour, with a cast of bizarre but recognisable characters. People who carry around talking cuddling monkeys are really out there. As you would expect when Tom goes to America there is the typical fish out of water situation of Brit in the US. Surprisingly from an American writer it is the American characters who are the caricatures rather than the Brits.

One aspect which is a little confusing throughout is the mock retro British Television which is shown in the background or as an introduction into a scene. You could wonder if these are supposed to be a piss-take or a social commentary or an indulgence of the writer. Whichever they are they evoke a brow furrow of “eh?”.

Despite the undeniable charm of Chris O’Dowd who plays bemused and confused perfectly Family Tree doesn’t quite feel right. It is difficult to pinpoint why it isn’t as good as it could be and whilst it is sweet, gentle and non-offensive it doesn’t really satisfy.