‘The Bear’ moves like music, and Season 3 is beautifully arranged

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As a devoted fan of “The Bear,” I cannot express enough my profound admiration for this masterpiece of a television series. The new third season, now streaming on Hulu, is nothing short of breathtaking, an unparalleled feast for the senses.

which relationships will endure and which will crumble.

Written and directed by Christopher Storer, this series is deeply rooted in music. It goes beyond the typical use of songs to accompany or contrast with the action, instead using tone and rhythm as its foundation. The dialogue is sparse, with only about 100 words spoken in the first episode, which combines past and present moments against a backdrop of floating background music. The impact of the show is more musical than literary, resonating more strongly with our emotions.

With Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) by his side, Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) elevates his staff at the Bear into fine-dining professionals.

(FX)

As a devoted cinephile, I’d describe each season of a show as an intricately crafted album, filled with unique tracks that shift and change just like Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) yearns to revamp his menu daily. These seasons are meticulously organized, blending short and long movements, major or minor keys, slow or fast tempos. The mood swings from dissonant to consonant, and back again, creating a rich tapestry of emotions.

In the heartwarming yet surreal world of “The Bear,” which evolved from “The Bad News Bears” and their beef sandwiches to major league status, only Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) supports Carmy’s (Jon Bernthal) new venture into fine dining. The team, inherited from his late brother Mikey, is crucial to this endeavor. Initially resistant, Carmy manages to inspire, train, and “upgrade,” as cooking competition fans would say, these staff members.

Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), unlike Carmy, is moving toward self-improvement.
(FX)

“The Bear” is a story that centers around food preparation, beautifully depicted, but goes beyond cooking. It’s primarily about the camaraderie and community built within a restaurant, rather than an individual’s culinary genius. As Mikey recalls from his initial encounter with Tina Colón-Zayas (played by Liza), “I like the people.” In this tale, Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), who manages the front of house, emerges as an unlikely protagonist of continuous growth. Contrasting him is his cousin Carmy, who is isolated, shattered, and trapped – quite literally, in a walk-in fridge, at the end of the previous season.

Film cinematographer Andrew Wehde gets up close and personal with his camera, lingering on an actor’s face for an extended period. We are allowed to carefully observe every detail – freckles, lines, scars, even the visible blood vessels in a weary eye. This gentle approach is what sets “The Bear” apart, making it not only excellent but also beautiful to behold.

The series explores past and future themes, with episode titles such as “Legacy” and “Children” and “Forever.” It encompasses both beginnings and endings. For the most part, it gives off a sense of wrapping up, but ultimately leaves us in suspense, with resolution yet to be determined.

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2024-07-18 19:52