Movies

Review: ‘Running Point’ is a cozy comedy that’s ‘Ted Lasso’ meets ‘Succession’

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As a movie critic, I’m excited to share my thoughts on “Running Point,” a heartwarming workplace comedy from the creative mind of Mindy Kaling. Co-starring my old buddy Ike Barinholtz and produced by David Stassen, this Netflix gem revolves around an endearing Los Angeles basketball team, the Waves, making its debut on Thursday.

The brief description could be rephrased as follows: “The tone might have been similar to a blend of ‘Ted Lasso’ and ‘Succession’, but it’s less emotional like ‘Ted Lasso’, significantly more charming than ‘Succession’, and not as ‘realistic’ as either, meaning it belongs to the unique, comfortable unrealism that is characteristic of sitcoms.

As a movie critic, I found myself captivated by the storyline of “Playing for Keeps,” where Kate Hudson brilliantly portrays Isla Gordon – one of several siblings who inherited a sports franchise from their eccentric late father. Despite his questionable leadership that often led to scandals, the team consistently brought home trophies under his reign. The eldest brother, Cam (Justin Theroux), serves as the team president, maintaining the winning streak… until recently.

Cam was instrumental in recruiting Isla to the organization, specifically as the head of charitable initiatives. This role was designed to curb her high-profile indiscretions, such as a Playboy spread, a brief 20-day marriage to Brian Austin Green, and excessive partying. However, it seems that her talents in this area are being put to good use, as she manages to keep the team’s reputation afloat amidst their current struggles. (It appears that she’s proving to be quite effective at her job!)

Television

In the Netflix comedy ‘Running Point,’ the actor takes on a role based on a real-life figure, the president of the Los Angeles Lakers. This character is required to demonstrate both her shrewd business skills and knowledge of basketball.

Interestingly, Cam’s reckless actions set the stage for the series. He drives under the influence of crack and speeds along the coast, causing an accident, though luckily no Dutch tourists were harmed. While he’s in rehab, he temporarily hands over presidency to Isla. Neither of his brothers, Ness (played by Scott MacArthur with a knack for humor) or Sandy (Drew Tarver), are ideal choices for the job. Ness, the team’s general manager, is a lovable oaf, lacking in obvious skills but adored by the players. On the other hand, Sandy, Cam’s younger brother, is the CFO. Despite his neat and tidy appearance, he seems to be chosen mainly because of his frugality.

In the spirit of shows like “Ted Lasso,” where the underestimated leader proves to be the perfect fit, I find myself in a similar situation. Initially, I was chosen or perhaps thrust into this leadership role, and it seemed anything but ideal. However, as time passed and I navigated through some missteps and learned from my mistakes, I began to realize that I might just be the right person for this job.

My deep-rooted love for basketball, a passion often dismissed by the men in my family, is only one aspect of what makes me suitable for this role. Much like Ted Lasso, I possess a heart that’s relatively pure, a trait some might consider a weakness, but one that I intend to transform into a strength. As Ali Lee, Ted’s chief of staff and best friend, once said, “Don’t ever make a mistake. It looks bad for all of us.” But in my case, every misstep serves as a stepping stone towards becoming the leader I was meant to be.

Her appointment is met with a fair amount of doubt, even going so far as to say undervalued appreciation, by her brothers, the team, the sports commentator portrayed by Jon Glaser, and betting experts in Las Vegas.

I’m not familiar with all the nuances of basketball beyond dribbling and scoring, and I don’t grasp the complexities of player trades; it’s unnecessary knowledge to appreciate the game. However, Isla seems to comprehend more than people realize, despite her occasional mishaps like bumping into glass doors or losing balance on her exercise bike. As for Hudson, he’s quite the jester in our games.

Managing challenging characters such as Travis Bugg (Chet Hanks) – known for his blunt and crude behavior, with a side career in rap and plenty of tattoos – and Marcus Winfield (Toby Sandeman), the veteran player who behaves like a king and markets wellness products at Target, will be particularly demanding. Additionally, Dyson Gibbs (Uche Agada), a promising rookie promoted from the Long Beach Raccoons development team, the Waves, is another character that requires careful handling.

Jackie Moreno (played by Fabrizio Guido), a Boyle Heights teen who peddles peanuts and popcorn at the Waves’ stadium, unexpectedly discovers that he has a biological father in the Gordon family – his mother was their housekeeper. This revelation brings about a change in his life, leaving us questioning whether this is an issue to be dismissed or an opportunity for development? A source of humor, without a doubt; Jackie is endearingly naive and Guido excels at bringing out the comedic side of him.

Essentially, the series has numerous storylines that unfold over ten episodes, offering both standalone adventures and longer narrative arcs. It’s not just about sports; the team’s success or failure isn’t the focus. Instead, family is the central theme, which will be clearly demonstrated throughout.

Isla, a character played by Max Greenfield, has been engaged for a long time to Lev, who is a pediatrician and takes on a more laid-back role than usual. Ness is married to Bituin, and Sandy has a boyfriend named Charlie, a dog groomer, whom he keeps separate from the family. Jackie, the team, and other characters will also be integral parts of the story.

While everything won’t always go perfectly, there will be plenty of drama, as well as lots of love. In other words, it’s a chaotic yet heartwarming show.

The storyline initiates when Isla presents a less refined take on Tolstoy’s popular remark that all content families resemble each other, but every troubled one faces its own unique struggles. However, in the realm of sitcoms rather than serious dramas, problematic families could be potential sources of happiness or already happy if they realized it. The purpose of a sitcom is to help them recognize this truth as many times as necessary.

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2025-02-27 11:31

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