Layne Reviews: The woman in the house across the street from the girl in the window
As I’m new to trying to build and maintain a website I seem to keep finding subtle things I have trouble controlling or changing. I couldn’t seem to find how to change the font size for the header. But, since this is a spoof show anyways with a super long title; I thought this huge font with the amount of words works in an ironic and in-your-face type of way. Before I get into the review, I can use this time to explain what I will be doing in this section. To keep exercising my writing between books I am going to review stuff in my daily life. It could be tv shows or movies. It could be a restaurant or world event. I might review a sporting event or something big happening in San Diego or South Carolina. I’m happy to take requests too. So without further ado, here is my review of the hit new Netflix show: The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window.
I believe this show will be a hit or miss for the average viewer depending on one thing. Are you a fan of Kristen Bell’s unique comedic form? I think she is hilarious so it was definitely a hit for me. I think back to her main movies that consistently crack me up. Bad Moms (both of them), Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and Couples Retreat. She doesn’t use a ton of physical comedy, although she has had some pretty funny sex scenes in her movies (and this show). She just has this soft spoken sarcasm that never seems to get old or stale.
This eight episode first season has her dealing with grief and depression and living alone in her suburban household. I won’t go to far into that as I’d like to stay pretty spoiler free even though this is way more comedy than drama or mystery. The premise of the show is a play on rear-window. But, replace Jimmy Stewart’s wheel chair with Bell’s copious amounts of wine and prescription anti depressant pills. Bell’s husband is played by Michael Ealy who is one of those “oh that guy” actors. He has been in loads of shows and movies but I wouldn’t label him a household name either. Her best friend Sloan in the show is played by Mary Holland, who again, is one of those serial guest stars with a long IMDB page. I could go on and on with the cast but they all seem to hit this level of somewhat famous. I like this technique because it let’s them all riff off Bell’s unstable character in show.
I think this is one of the best spoof shows I’ve seen in recent history. There were times when the show would stretch five or six minutes without an obvious joke and just keep hitting you with the murder mystery aspect or a little drama. But, then it would come back with some really really really dry lines of sarcasm and irony. I’m sure if I re-watched I would catch a lot more of the subtle jokes and Easter eggs. I honestly don’t know how Kristen Bell can keep a straight face when delivering some of her lines. I think I’ve read she has had some depression and anxiety in her personal life so I would guess that had a hand in why she nailed this role so well. I just feel like this is her comedic element and she crushed this role. Check out this show and let me know what you think. I’m going to rate it 9/10
HLR 3/9/22