Around this time last year I wrote a post on season one of Netflix's Love; I still love Love but sometimes I'm not sure why I do.
My feelings seems appropriate since Love's two protagonists, Mickey (Gillian Jacobs) and Gus (Paul Rust), have a strong connection without entirely understanding why. After the first season, the second and their relationship, picks up right where the first left off despite the fact that Mickey has told Gus she's dealing with a variety of addictions; alcohol, drugs, and sex/love.
Although the pair are aware of each other's shortcomings, it does lead to some pretty brutal fights between the two - one instance involves Mickey smashing a two million dollar bowl. At times it does feel as though the season is just a string of incidents where one of the characters does something harsh, apologises, and then moves on like it was no big deal. At times the repetition does become grating as the show goes on.
I did find that season two didn't appear to know where it was going, however that may be an intentional echo of the relationship the show depicts.
With almost every episode having a different director, each episode feels like a mini-indie movie - in the fifth episode, which follows Gus and Mickey on a day long date, Love is a pleasure to watch. In that episode it's completely clear why the two are together.
On Love, almost every character has some nasty edges to them. Jacobs brings even more layers to Mickey by demonstrating that her character is really trying to make an effort to become her best self. Netherless it's hard to not become impatient with her, as Gus does, when she is blatantly carless towards others. On the other hand Gus, who is depicted as the dorky sweetheart, isn't the most super-considerate towards her either. Mickey correctly points out that he can be condescending and thoughtless towards her, and his friends.
If you're looking for a rom-com, look elsewhere. Love is about two Los Angelenos who aren't always appealing to the viewer, and who have serious psychological issues. The thing is, I'm a sucker for this show - even when I can spot their flaws. I really appreciate that these people are messy and unpredictable unlike those in Hollywood films.
Perhaps my attraction to the messiness suggests that I'm a mess too, I don't know. What I do know is that I was more than happy to advance to the next episode and recommend that you do the same.
No comments