‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2024)’ REVIEW: A "marriage" drama first, spy comedy second
‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ REVIEW: A “marriage” drama first, spy comedy second
Donald Glover and Maya Erskine in Mr. and Mrs. Smith
“Brangelina” who? I only know “Donaya.”
To begin with, it's important to note that this new Amazon Prime series isn't a rehash of the 2005 spy romantic-comedy film starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Creators Francesca Sloane and Donald Glover only took the movie’s basic premise and elevated it to new and bold heights, creating an espionage-filled universe that is intriguing and compelling.
While their source material only revolves around a married couple discovering they're both spies from rival agencies and are tasked to eliminate each other, the television series adaptation flips the script: it now follows two spies (Donald Glover and Maya Erskine) who willingly enter a mission where they pose as a married couple. The show even kicks off with the pair being interrogated by "Mr. Hihi," an enigmatic figure who orchestrates their missions, with their interrogation serving as their matchmaking process.
If you’re anticipating a lighthearted viewing experience akin to the PG-13 movie it was inspired by, then brace yourself, as this adaptation deviates from that and delves into much darker territory. It is more interested in developing its mood and characters and is never afraid to experiment with tone and narrative angles. The show has this usual prestige vibe and cinematic style reminiscent of comedy-drama television series like Barry and Atlanta. They even got Hiro Murai, a frequent director of both shows, to direct the first two episodes.
Maya Erskine as Jane Smith
Let’s be real here: the only reason the 2005 movie worked so well is because of the strong chemistry between the two actors and how well they used this to further fuel the dynamic of each of their respective characters, a quality that this TV series also manages to capture effectively.
Donald Glover and Maya Erskine initially began as strangers when they first met in their newly assigned house as a “married couple,” navigating through their awkwardness before gradually evolving into a romantic entanglement like typical lovers. Eventually, their relationship takes a sour turn while they try to juggle both their performances at work and their relationship. They encounter some conflicts along the way, both physically and emotionally (but mostly the latter). As the season progresses, the spy elements take a backseat to make room for their intricate relationship drama, which is consistently engaging and compelling.
Both actors deliver top-notch performances, and the dynamic between their characters is always fun to watch because of how they complement each other during their comedic and dramatic moments.
Donald Glover shines as John Smith, portraying a spy who's not entirely cold-blooded; instead, he's occasionally clumsy and naive, with a gentle soul, and is naturally good with people (he’s also a mama's boy). When he’s in love, he’s dead serious about it, and he also holds some traditional views on familial roles. Glover effortlessly nails his character’s personality with just the right amount of charm and likability through and through.
On the other hand, Maya Erskine killed it as Jane Smith, who’s more guarded and tough. Initially, I pondered what the show might have been like if Phoebe Waller-Bridge hadn’t dropped out (because she was attached as the lead at some point) due to creative differences. But every time Erskine is on-screen, I swiftly ignore these hypothetical thoughts of mine because she is THAT good.
She embodies the character flawlessly and truly owns the role, effortlessly balancing cold-blooded aggression with warmth and charm. It’s not an Erskine performance without the weird, funny faces she makes, and yes, they also made an appearance here. She knows how to seamlessly transition from comedy to drama, and I firmly believe that she is the star of the show.
Additionally, there's a plethora of guest actors in the series whose roles you'll have to discover for yourself: Paul Dano, Michaela Coel, Sarah Paulson, Wagner Moura, Parker Posey, Ron Perlman, and John Turturro, among others, are just a few of the actors who pleasantly surprise us with what they can offer here.
We seriously need another season for this as soon as possible because who would’ve thought that Glover and company could create a much better take on the Mr. and Mrs. Smith concept than the original mid-2000s action flick? Well, not me, because, boy, have you seen their other works?
All eight episodes of Mr. and Mrs. Smith are now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
