Workplace sitcoms have always been a delightful source of entertainment.
To this day, I continue to relish the comedic brilliance of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, a show that set numerous benchmarks in the genre.
However, a new addition has hit the sitcom landscape: the Brazilian series Reporting for Duty, now available on Netflix.
Its premise bears a striking resemblance to the iconic Brooklyn Nine-Nine, featuring a single precinct, a cast of comical characters, and some tricky cases.
It’s a wonder they didn’t opt for an official remake, given the parallels in their setups.
Even the introductory montage of Reporting for Duty is remarkably reminiscent of its American predecessor.
This Brazilian new series clearly aims to capture the spirit of a goofy sitcom, prioritizing entertainment as its primary selling point.
With a total of eight episodes spanning over three hours, Reporting for Duty promises a substantial dose of laughter.
Keep reading to know about my assessment of the series.
Reporting for Duty Synopsis
Suzano is transferred to be the new Precinct Chief of the 8th PD after he inadvertently captures a high-profile criminal.
However, the history of his predecessors and his colleagues at the new workplace make him doubt if he is at the right place.
Created by several individuals, Reporting for Duty stars Leandro Hassum (Suzano), Luciana Paes (Mantovani), Jefferson Schroeder (Estevao), Taumaturgo Ferreira, Digao Ribeiro, Babu Carreira, Caue Campos, Josie Antello, and others.
What Works for Reporting for Duty?
The series kicks off with an enticing start, welcoming you to what promises to be a highly entertaining party.
The humor is decent, delivering laughs through okayish situational comedy, and the characters show great potential.
As the story unfolds, numerous delightful moments of amusement win you over, and the main protagonist of Reporting for Duty exudes sweetness and charm—a quintessential trait in successful sitcoms.
Furthermore, the cases and scenarios only enhance the overall comical atmosphere.
On the performance front, Leandro Hassum takes on the role of Suzano in Reporting for Duty, and he shines as the rookie in disguise, successfully conveying the character’s quirks and providing some memorable moments, even if the dialogue assigned to him are somewhat average.
Leandro consistently offers glimpses of his acting prowess throughout the series.
Luciana Paes, who portrays Mantovani in the Brazilian show, is intensely charming and subtly humorous. Her character’s intelligence and self-awareness work to her advantage, adding depth to the series.
As for the other actors, they make passing appearances without leaving a lasting impact, but we’ll delve into this further later on.
What Doesn’t Work for Reporting for Duty?
There are several glaring issues with the show, and ineffective writing takes the top spot.
The absence of punchlines, which are the backbone of any comedy series, is particularly noticeable.
Moreover, the humor quotient is disappointingly low.
When Reporting for Duty fails to elicit genuine laughter through well-crafted humor, it resorts to cheap circumstantial comedy, which undermines its potential.
Regrettably, the show squanders a golden opportunity for creating uproarious entertainment.
It boasts a promising setup, a talented cast, and a strong start, but fails to capitalize on any of these assets.
Furthermore, its whimsical atmosphere seems unsure of whether to embrace light-heartedness or veer into darker territory.
What should have been a straightforward sitcom ends up with perplexing traces of dark comedy.
It appears that the creators aimed for distinctiveness but overlooked the most crucial element: FUN.
You will rarely burst into laughter while watching Reporting for Duty. This is partly due to the underutilization of characters, as only two or three actors dominate the screen, leaving the rest to merely occupy space.
Had their roles been explored humorously, the potential for combined amusement would have been substantial.
In essence, you encounter numerous memorable faces, but their inherently insignificant character development leaves no lasting impression.
Another drawback is the jarring screenplay. Comedies that don’t require much narrative complexity must rely heavily on sharp writing to keep the audience engaged.
Unfortunately, Reporting for Duty sees its screenplay falter after the initial episodes, compounding its problems.
The storyline’s tendency to shift bases for seemingly illogical reasons further adds to its woes.
Should You Stream or Skip Reporting for Duty?
In my opinion, skipping it would be the wise choice.
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