A Disappointing Harvest: Netflix’s "The Four Seasons" Fails to Bloom
The convergence of comedic titans like Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Will Forte, and the dramatic prowess of Colman Domingo sparks an expectation bordering on euphoria. The mind conjures scenarios of profound character studies interwoven with laugh-out-loud moments, a delicate balance of sharp wit and genuine human connection. Especially when Fey, the mastermind behind comedic masterpieces like "30 Rock," "Mean Girls," and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," is at the helm, the anticipation is naturally amplified. It is with this immense weight of expectation that Netflix’s new marriage comedy, "The Four Seasons," arrives – and subsequently, disappoints.
Based on the beloved 1981 Alan Alda film, "The Four Seasons" attempts to transplant the original’s charm and poignant observations on relationships into a modern, serialized format. The premise remains relatively unchanged: three couples embark on four seasonal vacations, each acting as a backdrop against which their intertwined relationships unfold, revealing the subtle fractures and seismic shifts that define long-term partnerships. The series tackles universal themes – the creeping monotony of routine, the ebb and flow of sexual desire, the complexities of divorce, and the ever-present challenges of parenting. These weighty issues are set against picturesque landscapes: a serene lakeside cabin in springtime, a vibrant tropical beach during the summer months, an autumnal New England college campus bathed in warm hues, and a snow-dusted mountain ski lodge in the heart of winter.
The visual canvas is undeniably appealing, each vacation meticulously curated to reflect the season. However, the beauty of the scenery stands in stark contrast to the messiness and complications bubbling beneath the surface of the relationships. The concept is ripe with potential for melodrama and conflict, ingredients essential for a successful relationship comedy. The original film expertly captured this dynamic, delivering a series of memorable and often manic tableaus brought to life by legends like Alda, Carol Burnett, and Rita Moreno.
However, "The Four Seasons," in its expansion to an eight-episode miniseries, feels disappointingly superficial. What should have been a deeply engaging exploration of marital dynamics devolves into a series of predictable scenarios, lacking the spark and wit necessary to truly resonate. The series, despite its star-studded cast and experienced creative team, ultimately fails to capture the essence of its source material, resulting in a viewing experience that is, at best, unremarkable and, at worst, utterly dull. This is not the first attempt to adapt the story for television; CBS previously aired a series in 1984, but it was short-lived, lasting only 13 episodes. This new iteration, unfortunately, suffers from many of the same pitfalls, demonstrating the inherent difficulty in translating the film’s nuanced charm into a longer, serialized format.
The central characters are portrayed by a stellar ensemble cast. Tina Fey and Will Forte embody Kate and Jack, a couple whose seemingly quirky dynamic masks deeper insecurities and unresolved issues. Steve Carell plays Nick, a man grappling with midlife ennui and contemplating leaving his wife, Anne, portrayed by Kerri Kenney-Silver, for a more "alive" partner. Colman Domingo shines as Danny, a seemingly judgmental character whose outward demeanor conceals a vulnerability stemming from his neglect of his own health, much to the chagrin of his emotional and artistic husband, Claude, played by Marco Calvani.
Initially, during their springtime gathering at Nick and Anne’s lakeside home, the couples appear to be thriving. However, cracks soon emerge in their carefully constructed facades. Nick’s discontentment simmers beneath the surface, Danny’s health anxieties cast a shadow over the festivities, and the dark humor exchanged between Jack and Kate barely conceals the underlying fault lines in their relationship.
The premise establishes these couples as powder kegs of suppressed emotions and long-held resentments, setting the stage for dramatic confrontations and cathartic releases. Regrettably, the series consistently fails to deliver on this promise. The major relationship milestones and conflicts inexplicably occur off-screen, during the intervals between the seasonal vacations. This leaves the audience to grapple with the relatively insignificant aftershocks of these events, depriving them of the emotional investment and dramatic payoff they rightfully deserve.
While the scripts, penned by Fey in collaboration with co-creators Lang Fisher ("Never Have I Ever") and Tracey Wigfield ("The Mindy Project"), contain occasional moments of wit, the overall comedic tone feels forced and uninspired. Viewers may find themselves in uncomfortable silence as jokes intended to elicit laughter fall flat. Furthermore, when the series attempts to delve into more serious themes, the resulting tone feels jarring and often confusing. The effect is akin to a dissonant chord played against the backdrop of Antonio Vivaldi’s iconic "The Four Seasons" concerti, a musical choice that further emphasizes the series’ heavy-handed and often unsubtle approach.
In many ways, "The Four Seasons" is reminiscent of Apple TV+’s "Palm Royale," a period dramedy starring Kristen Wiig that similarly boasted an A-list cast including Allison Janney, Ricky Martin, Laura Dern, and Carol Burnett. Like "Seasons," "Royale" possessed all the superficial elements of a successful show – talented actors, impeccable costumes, and lavish sets – but ultimately failed to deliver on its promise, lacking both genuine humor and meaningful depth.
Amidst the overall mediocrity, a few fleeting moments hint at the potential that "The Four Seasons" could have achieved. The storyline involving Anne’s journey of self-discovery after being boxed in for decades as Nick’s wife and her daughters’ mother is genuinely engaging. While the narrative of a divorced woman forging a new identity is hardly groundbreaking, it is arguably the most compelling and well-executed aspect of the series.
Despite dedicating four hours to exploring themes of marriage, aging, and midlife crises, "The Four Seasons" ultimately fails to articulate a clear or coherent point of view. It leaves the audience wondering whether having a life partner is ultimately meaningful, worthless, or simply somewhere in between. The series, unfortunately, ends up being as clueless as its characters, unable to offer any profound insights or meaningful commentary on the complexities of human relationships. It’s a disappointing outcome for a project with so much potential, a missed opportunity that leaves a lingering sense of unfulfilled promise.
