The Sympathizer HBO

[WBT 20572]

I couldn't find a thread.  First episode was tonight.

I loved the book.  I thought this first episode was pretty good although with a little too much voice over.  The airport escape was pretty good although the bus crash cgi wasn't great.

The lead was good and Downey was pretty funny.

[Mitch Cumsteen 18549]

Just watched it on a whim with zero expectations. It took me a couple of minutes to get into it but I thought it was great. I’m in. 

[Radical Larry 28621]

Haven’t read the book, but I enjoyed the first episode. 

[billfromlaketravis 11481]

Pretty good start and an important story to tell. I’m in. Allegedly there’s quite a bit of Downey showboating, but I’ll deal. 

[C-Man 27229]

Guess I’m checking this out now.

[billfromlaketravis 11481]

Poor follow up to the pilot. Is this a comedy? I guess they’re going for the same absurd dark comedy vibe as The Plumbers. 
 

- I guess they needed an age appropriate Asian woman so of course they cast Sandra Oh. Constance Wu is 42 so she also meets the criteria. She’s also much better looking and not annoying as shit in everything.

- Downey warned about not going full regard in Tropic Thunder, so of course they guy elects to portray the professor as a flamboyantly gay man.

- Captain is kind of grating as an always offended smart ass. 

- The squid story was pretty funny. 

[WBT 20572]

Downey playing every old white guy isn't really doing it for me.  The general is pretty funny.

[4th&Five 41554]

I kept looking to see how much time was left. Not a good sign in a second episode. 

[Mitch Cumsteen 18549]

On 4/23/2024 at 7:12 PM, WBT said:

Downey playing every old white guy isn't really doing it for me.  The general is pretty funny.

The Eddie Murphy / Nutty Professor schtick is tough to watch. I generally like RDJ, but come the fuck on. Has that bit ever worked? Maybe it would be cheeky in a one-off, background character who only has like one line, but it's distracting as hell and comes off like a huge ego trip. Anybody want odds they do a scene where he's acting with himself in some CGI bullshit? I might have to quit the show if they push it that far.

[Mitch Cumsteen 18549]

God dammit. 

[billfromlaketravis 11481]

Can we claw that Oscar back from Downey? Holy shit this is bad.

The congressman sounds and acts exactly like this: 

 

[RPM 26321]

On 4/23/2024 at 7:12 PM, WBT said:

Downey playing every old white guy isn't really doing it for me. 

This is a sticking point for me. I'm having trouble liking the quirkiness of the story with my dislike of the freakish character Downey is playing.

[WBT 20572]

I liked the green beret congressman a little bit better.

Lulz at Spinach and Broccoli

[speed817 19277]

We started watching the first episode tonight before the Mavs game.  Half way through and we turned to each other and said, "Why the fuck are we reading the subtitles when we understand the vietnamese???"  LOL

[WBT 20572]

Ha, Duchovny was good

[WBT 20572]

Well, this wrapped up last night.  I thought it was good but should have been better.  I liked all of the Vietnamese actors but the well known Downey and Oh were weak points for me.  Downey would have been good if he stuck to just playing the congressman or even the CIA guy.