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In ‘Mr. Throwback,’ Stephen Curry shoots for a new title: charming actor

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In 'Mr. Throwback,' Stephen Curry shoots for a new title: charming actor

As a lifelong cinephile with an affinity for unique storytelling and character-driven comedies, I must say that “Mr. Throwback” has certainly piqued my interest. The idea of Stephen Curry stepping into the world of acting is intriguing enough, but when combined with a charming script, a talented cast, and a dash of offbeat humor, it becomes something truly captivating.

As a lifelong basketball enthusiast and someone who has followed Stephen Curry’s career since his days at Davidson College, I must say that it’s fascinating to see him dominating the television screens this week, particularly on Peacock. Of course, the Olympic Games are always a highlight for sports fans like me, and Peacock is doing an excellent job of covering them. However, what has really caught my attention is the premiere of “Mr. Throwback,” the new sitcom that debuts on Thursday. Given my limited knowledge of Curry’s off-court interests, I can’t be certain if this show is something he’s been asked about during his time in Paris for the Olympics, but considering his humble and classy demeanor, it seems unlikely that he would bring it up himself. Regardless, I am excited to see how Curry navigates his acting debut and hope that “Mr. Throwback” is a success.

The show features Steph Curry playing a character similar to himself. While another fictional athlete could potentially tell the story equally well, Curry significantly boosts the production’s appeal. Adam Pally, who is the main star and also a co-creator along with others, plays a crucial role as well. Without Curry, selling this six-episode series might be more challenging. Whether it’s a fun side project or Curry planning for his post-basketball career, one thing is clear: Curry charms and feels authentic on screen. If he decides to pursue acting, there could be interesting roles ahead for him, especially in romantic comedies, as he might be the first athlete to lead such a production.

In many cases, advance episodes given to journalists and reviewers come with warnings about potential plot reveals, or spoilers. These can sometimes be adjusted, but some are difficult because they form the foundation of the storyline. “Mr. Throwback” presents such a challenge, as the spoiler it comes with is incongruous with its central premise, which essentially defines the series. I should mention that there are similarities between this series and three other works: the 1937 Carole Lombard comedy “Nothing Sacred”, its 1954 remake “Living It Up” starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, and the 1951 Bob Hope movie “The Lemon Drop Kid”. Add some childhood trauma, a dash of dishonesty reminiscent of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (with Steph being the only genuinely truthful major character), and top it off with a generous helping of emotion, and you’ll get a sense of what “Mr. Throwback” is like.

In this rephrased version, let’s call the main character Pal, a former promising basketball player now managing a sports memorabilia shop in Chicago, famous for artifacts like a golf club that was supposedly used by Tiger Woods’ wife during an incident involving his Escalade. For unspecified reasons, Pal is indebted to the Polish mafia, amounting to $90,000. With only one day to settle the debt, he contrives a plan involving his childhood friend Curry, who happens to be in town for a match.

In 'Mr. Throwback,' Stephen Curry shoots for a new title: charming actor

For the past two and a half decades, they’ve been apart due to some unresolved issues from their past, specifically an incident or scandal that created a rift between them. Kimberly, their longtime friend, is now in charge of Steph’s media company, Curry Up and Wait, which includes a sitcom project titled “Teen Steph,” penned by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Interestingly, Kimberly’s relationship with Danny also faded during their middle school years.

As Danny moves towards Steph, he unwittingly steps into the series-defining mockumentary, helmed by Lucy (Tien Tran) and funded by Curry. The reason for his entry is simply his casual flair for “I’m always up to something interesting,” but it eventually turns out to be all about Danny himself. As Kimberly puts it in the closing moments of the first episode, summarizing her show, “People adore a comeback story. But let me tell you, there’s nothing people crave more than a disaster.”

As a film aficionado, I find myself drawn into the world of Danny, a man who might appear sloppy and immature at first glance, but harbors a good heart hidden beneath. He shares his life with his sharp-witted ex-wife, Samantha (Ayden Mayeri), and a teenage daughter, Charlie (Layla Scalisi). Despite doubts, we’re encouraged to believe in Danny’s inherent goodness, though it takes time for evidence to surface. Sam vouches for him, and Charlie’s affection for him, along with his frequent declarations of love for her, serve as justifications for his questionable actions.

In 'Mr. Throwback,' Stephen Curry shoots for a new title: charming actor

1. Samantha: “I found it a bit unusual to date someone who’s 58, but he looks good, and I don’t have a problem with an early dinner.”

As a movie aficionado, I found “Mr. Throwback” to be a fascinating cinematic journey, where it dons various stylistic personas, ranging from the absurdly humorous to the heartrendingly sentimental, even dipping into low-key farce and what felt like straight-up drama, particularly in Danny’s scenes with his father, Mitch, portrayed brilliantly by Tracy Letts. Mitch, a character grappling with deep-seated issues, presents a challenging role that Tracy Letts, a Tony Award-winning actor, tackles with remarkable skill and versatility, setting him apart in this ensemble.

Pally tirelessly juggles various roles, much like Danny does, yet we’re expected to empathize with him in a way that is unusual for characters like Larry David’s – he consistently falls short of expectations, making viewers anxiously await the series’ decision to switch things up. In the end, it pushes strongly towards a happy conclusion or conclusions, which some might find forced, touching, or even a combination of both.

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2024-08-10 01:21

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