Movies

Review: ‘Clean Slate’ is a sweet, new old-fashioned family comedy

BBG News

It’s satisfying to see a trans individual portraying a trans character in a family-oriented comedy on the most popular streaming platform. Despite its occasional stumbles, television continues to progress, shedding more light.

Titled “Clean Slate,” a new series available on Prime Video starting Thursday, features Laverne Cox as Desiree Slate. After 23 years of silence, she returns from New York to Mobile, Alabama to meet her father, Harry, played by George Wallace. The last time they saw each other, Desiree was known as Desmond.

As Wallace mentioned, he discussed with the late Norman Lear, who was an executive producer on “Clean Slate,” the idea of reviving “Sanford and Son.” Over time, this led to the creation of a new series that shares similarities in its theme: it focuses on a grumpy elderly person cohabiting with their contrasting children. The series is primarily set within a Black community in a predominantly Black neighborhood.

Television

As a devoted film enthusiast, I can’t help but share my excitement about an upcoming Amazon Prime Video comedy series. In this captivating production, I find myself identifying with the character portrayed by Cox, a transgender woman, as she embarks on a journey back to her roots in Alabama, where she reunites with her father, brilliantly brought to life by Wallace.

The initial scene starts with a quote from King Lear, “The laughter I’ve enjoyed most is laughter that has brought us together,” and this series indeed carries a sweet, sometimes cheesy, and occasionally awkward vibe, reminiscent of watching characters in a play perform their own play. They appear as well-defined characters, skillfully placed to serve a purpose within the storyline. So, we have a neighbor for Harry who frequently argues (Phillip Garcia as Miguel); an ex-convict, Mack (Jay Wilkison), who works at Harry’s car wash and has a sharp-witted grade-school daughter, Opal (Norah Murphy), aiming to take over the world or at least a significant entity; a friend for Desiree, Louis (D.K. Uzoukwu), who leads the church choir and keeps his sexuality hidden; and Louis’ mother, Ella (Telma Hopkins), who seems the most stable character in the show.

Regarding the trans theme, the show “Clean Slate” swifts away from exploring this topic deeply and instead focuses on a generational conflict and cultural clash between a traditional father and his modern daughter. The father, Harry (played by Cox), is fond of his old ways, while Desiree (Wallace’s character) wishes to reform him. This story unfolds within the broader context of Southern etiquette. Both Cox and Wallace hail from Mobile and Atlanta respectively, while their co-creator Dan Ewen is from Athens, Georgia. After an initial moment of surprise, Harry quickly accepts Desiree for who she truly is. However, it takes him a while to remember to call her by the correct name, and he may occasionally use the wrong pronoun. To rectify this, there’s a “pronoun jar” where money gets put in when he makes such mistakes.

To clarify, these mistakes are not portrayed as a sign of moral wrongdoing. In fact, it appears that Desiree might initially seem more critical or judgmental. She enters the scene equipped with matcha, mugwort, and a plan from her therapist, aiming to disrupt a pattern of unavailable men in her romantic life by confronting “the first emotionally unavailable man in my life.” (“Who the heck is he?” exclaims Harry, oblivious to the point. “Does he live around here? Do we need to go visit him?”) The townsfolk find little issue with Desiree’s actions; many are even supportive or enthusiastic about her intentions. Even Mack expresses interest in dating her. Only the preacher seems to take offense.

Scenarios often unfold like a sitcom: Harry instructing Desiree on driving, only for her to resell his belongings at a yard sale, causing him distress. They visit an amusement park to help Opal find harmony between work and life, while Desiree and Louis enjoy a night out at a dance club. Desiree contemplates being re-baptized as herself, but the preacher presents an unexpected challenge. An episode set on election day feels unusual in today’s context. “Today is November 7, not January 6,” Harry tells Miguel, who stands behind him in line. “I’m not a traitor,” Miguel replies. “I’m a libertarian.” However, the show revolves more around chaos than politics, as characters argue to eventually make up.

The show isn’t groundbreaking or revolutionary, but it’s a solid blend of modern and traditional comedy. Wallace and Cox make an excellent pair, with both seeming to enjoy their roles. Wallace is entertaining in his non-Redd Foxx character, while Cox provides a mix of sass, sexiness, and sensitivity. Although I advocate for the return of production to Hollywood, the Southern settings (filmed near Savannah, Georgia, just 496 miles from Mobile) fittingly complement the narrative.

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2025-02-05 22:31

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