At this point in the movie the thematic line is no longer surprising that has Apple TV + with, at least, its comedies. Even his most naughty series like ‘Mythic Quest’ have an inspirational touch and aspire to greater challenges in all his footage. But maybe none has gone as far as ‘The prize of your life’ (The Big Door Prize).
Accompanying ‘Ted Lasso’ (who also has a lot of that) on its broadcast day, the platform has released this comedy that adapts the book of the same name (yes, it’s about adaptations today) by MO Walsh. Its premise revolves around what happens when a mysterious machine appears in the middle of a town and tells everyone who uses it their life’s true potential.
In the center is Chris O’Dowd (‘Los informaticos’) as Dusty, a 40-year-old professor who is quite skeptical of the commotion that this little machine has caused. However, he cannot deny the evidence: he is changing the lives of everyone who is using it.
A simple and effective presentation
David West Read, writer and producer of ‘Schitt’s Creek’ displays in a unusually simple, a whole cast of characters that are impeccably presented. There is hardly any straw, there are hardly any redundancies that give excessive noise to the study of personalities to be dealt with in the series. This is what, at all times, is prioritized.
Furthermore, although the mystery surrounding the machine becomes more relevant in the second half of the series (consisting of ten episodes), from first we are invited not to think about it. Or at least to choose between being the owner of the grocery store who decides not to ask why this has appeared in his store without prior notice or the inquisitive protagonist who, although it is on his mind, decides not to give it so much importance.
What interests ‘The prize of your life’ is to see how these revelations transform the inhabitants of this town, who are faced with dilemmas worthy of philosophical studies. Here also arises the difference between knowing your potential as an adult or as a teenager. The first sees that life is escaping and makes sharp decisions; the second is not that he does not pay attention to his supposed destination, but that he is aware of having time.
This is developed through episodes that focus, each one, on a character and his vocation. A decision that seems quite intelligent to me and correct because, if it didn’t do so, the premise of the series would not give much more than a movie or a chapter of ‘Black Mirror’ or ‘Twilight Zone’, it depends on the moral. By structuring the fiction in this way they manage to maintain interest.
with the right tone
This is not to say that all episodes work perfectly. As usual, we find ourselves with ups and downs in this exploration of the assumption of the destiny/vocation/potential of each one. In general, the tone sails in a very sweet spot like comedy with dramatic touches. It’s not laughable but it is very comforting.
comforting and cozy since another success of the series is that Deerfield as a town is a great setting with its colorful inhabitants. One of those places to stay and live and where you can tell that your countrymen have been knowing each other for years.
In short, ‘The prize of your life’ It is quite effective in everything it proposes, despite sometimes going awry in his exploration of characters. With a fairly solid cast and a fascinating premise, Apple TV+ premieres one of those series to stay alive.
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