Lovesick: Netflix comedy review

This is a review of the Netflix comedy show lovesick.

It's a British sex comedy the likes of Coupling. For American audiences, Friends or How I Met your Mother would be more apt. The comparison is more than on the surface, for the show does nothing new or innovative: the episodes follow a typical formula, down to the organization of the storyline. It's a bit of a tearjerker as well, in the sappiest way possible.

Let me get to that for a bit. Yes, on at least two episodes I teared up a little bit. My eyes were wet for another two episodes maybe. And this is a comedy. The formula is simple. Make two friends be deeply in love with each other but miscommunication prevents them from letting the other know. The hurt each other and themselves as they see a slew of other people, and hilarity ensues as their other friends get into ridiculous hijinks. One, or both, sides get into deep committed relationship with other people but still hold a flame for their original true love. Yadda yadda yadda.

It's nothing new.

Making people cry is easy, it's the laughter part that's harder, they say. It's specially true for this show.

The show is at its strongest when it follow typical sitcom tropes. When it gets into drama territory it gets into a slog after the first ten attempts to get you into tears. There's really not much substance to it when you really think about it.

But there's emotions and feelings, oh there's so much of it.

The acting's great, the lead actress is now the love of my life pretty much. The two dudes who're her friends are unlikely but impressive comedic actors. A slew of cast who comes in and out through the course of the series does a commendable job, some are funnier than others but there's no particularly weak links.

For me it was at its weakest when it dried to try its hand in drama more than comedy, it didn't feel well the up-swell of emotions didn't jive with the comedic mood elsewhere. It feels as if the show is trying to decide between drama and comedy, and wants to have its feet in two boats.

It's a really funny show and I like it. I don't know if I'd ever watch it. However, it's worth at least a consideration.