America’s association with spy shows is known to the world. The region enjoys creative wisdom rarely found elsewhere.
Recent US shows from the Spy genre include The Recruit, The Night Agent, and Obliterated, among others.
The latest addition to the list is Mr. & Mrs. Smith, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
With eight episodes, the series runs for 6 and a half hours. Here’s my review.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith Synopsis
Two unknowns are hired by a secretive company as agents, who must live as husband and wife while finishing the missions assigned to them as a team.
With time, the job becomes a litmus test for their personal well-being.
The show is directed by Hiro Murai, Karena Evans, Christian Sprenger, Amy Seimetz, and Donald Glover. It features Donald Glover (John Smith), Maya Erskine (Jane Smith), Wagner Moura, and Parker Posey. Sarah Paulson plays a cameo in the series.
What Works for Mr. & Mrs. Smith?
It is really hard to walk over without appreciating the concept of the show. A secretive organization, almost like a ghost, hires espionage agents in pairs.
They are supposed to live as couples, not just in letter but also in spirit. So, when Jane and John get the job, they start residing in the same house.
Gradually, things become intense as they experience almost everything a real couple does.
The astounding idea gives you enough reason to stay with the series initially, after which the story takes over.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith is rooted in the nitty-gritty of real-life situations. It takes an almost hard-to-believe premise and then puts it into the blender along with ‘life.’
The resultant product is realistic, rooted, and yet exciting.
The complexities of two people staying together, facing the ups and downs, and realizing what they signed up for, and promised to each other, have more gray zones than white and black.
We get to see the outcome in the final episode of the show, which is the most arousing of the lot.
There are no unnecessary flashy scenes in Mr. & Mrs. Smith. It even does away with dramatic background music.
Some segments are just presented the way they are, with zilch external stimuli.
None of this would have been possible in the absence of thoughtful writing.
From dialogues to special emphasis on emotional conversations, the wordslingers have done an amazing job in Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
The series refrains from relying on male dominance. It is one of the rare shows that consider equal representation as a fundamental principle.
There are no exceptions to it. Moreover, some sequences deliver laughter in ample quantity, again thanks to the writing department.
The humor is subtle and well-directed.
It is not demeaning at any point. Mr. & Mrs. Smith has a very unhindered resemblance to any real-life couple, which is also very non-prejudicial.
Lastly, the series’ natural pacing lands perfectly in the final print.
How are the Performances?
Donald Glover is the ‘main’ Mr. John Smith. You will know the relevance of this sentence once you watch the series.
On the acting front, Glover aces his part. He is phenomenal in the show. Interestingly, he has also directed the last episode of Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
His sharp expressions instill humor and help the plot maintain a light undercurrent amid the dark ambiance.
Glover is quirky, impromptu, and witty to the core. With sheer brilliance, he infuses humor into almost-dead scenes at times.
His naturally authentic brilliance is charming, to be honest. He beautifully lives John Smith on the screen.
Maya Erskine, as the ‘main’ Mrs. Jane Smith, brings voluminous artistry to comfort your vision.
She rises in each episode and enthralls with her screen meanderings.
Maya’s curtailed expressions go along perfectly with her dynamic vocal intonations in an act that is both charming and aggressive.
Her ‘true to the sketch’ dominating performance adds value to the show’s exciting premise.
Wagner Moura’s limited role in Mr. and Mrs. Smith is alluring.
He does the desired work with ease and never feels off despite arriving suddenly in the scheme of things almost out of nowhere.
His mesmerizing dialogue delivery stands at the forefront of his stylish depiction. I call it stylish because the dude rocks, man. Hands down!
What Doesn’t Work for Mr. & Mrs. Smith?
Sometimes, while trying to chase authenticity, the show ends up dragging its feet. Certain scenes don’t cut where they should have (not technically, but practically).
They keep going for a little bit of extra time. However, this could well be a personal observation.
Moreover, as it progresses, Mr. & Mrs. Smith’s plot inclines more towards drama and romance. The emphasis on thrill and suspense wanes after a certain point.
It feels like a trap, for we, as viewers, were initially attracted by the startling mix of all the elements having suspense at its core.
Stream or Skip?
Mr. & Mrs. Smith is an unconventional idea that explodes as it unfolds. There are certain downsides; however, you can go for it, guilt-free.
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