Hot take: Easy

'Easy' is a television series with each episode telling a single stand-alone story that takes off on a concept or a particular philosophical question. The only connecting thread through all the episodes is the city of Chicago, where they are set, and which becomes a character of its own through the course of the show. Director Joe Swanberg goes for an improvisational, atmospheric approach that has the merit of making the dialogue and acting performances seem remarkably spontaneous. A range of characters from young to old and representing a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds are portrayed with both empathy and authenticity: every white hair, imperfection and cellulite is put on full display here. The casting is also spot on, with all the actors inhabiting their characters with both integrity and grace.

Ultimately, the only drawback is the variability of appeal between the stories, as some episodes come across as incisive and insightful, while others miss the mark with their myopic self-indulgence. Each episode is like a mini-feature which brings its own specific tone to the overall harmony being laid out through the anthology. For those who have the patience to stick the bad episodes out, Easy can be richly rewarding and surprisingly affecting, with moments of epiphany peeking out of the screen when you least expect them.

Highlights:

'The Fucking Study', 'Vegan Cinderella', 'Controlada' and 'Art and Life' in Season 1

'Open Marriage', 'Conjugality', 'Prodigal Daughter', 'Baby Steps' in Season 2

Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life

Language: English Runtime: 30 min episodes (25) Year of release: 2016 Streaming Platform: Netflix

Hot take is a series in which I offer my first impressions of films from India and around the world.