At a time when most streaming shows contain eight to ten episodes (almost an hour long in length), I immediately breathe a sigh of relief when I find a series with 20–30 minutes of runtime. One of the main issues with those 50-something minutes shows is that you spend, say, ten hours on them only to be left unsatisfied. A majority of them are incredibly bland and leave you with nothing but fatigue. And even if you do find a show worth admiring, there are chances that it might get canceled. In this bleak world of entertainment, one could use something light, something funny, something short and charming. If you are tired of rewatching Friends, Seinfeld, or The Office, head to Amazon Freevee, as they have small gems that are worth your time.
For starters, there's Jury Duty, in which a juror doesn't realize that everyone around him is an actor. It's a delightful sitcom with a warm heart that makes you smile. Now, we have another adorable show, Primo, which is funny and sweet in equal measure. Created by Shea Serrano, this coming-of-age comedy is very comforting to watch. It has likable characters, chuckle-worthy situations, and heartfelt moments. You forget all your problems while watching this show. It makes you grin and relaxes your mind, and you come out more energetic and more alive.
A lazy version of Primo would have been so lightweight it would have turned into something flavorless. Thankfully, the version you will be able to watch from May 19 gives equal importance to its humor as well as heart. You laugh, but you also grow fond of all the characters. A show like this mainly derives its fuel from actors with irresistible charm, and I am happy to report that all the actors in Primo are endearing to watch. They prevent their characters from falling into the category of "dumb caricatures" by skillfully walking between buffoonery and genuine emotions. They indulge in bizarre activities but also thoughtfully connect with each other. There is a strong sense of camaraderie here because everyone seems to exist on the same level.
In the world of Primo, it's easy to live a happy life with just $50 in your bank account. Serious complications can stay hidden. Whatever problems the characters face are all covered with jest and sometimes with just enough amount of sentiment. Most of the humor originates from Rafa's (Ignacio Diaz-Silverio) uncles. These men rarely come to an agreement. Something as minor as a discussion regarding the presence of an apostrophe in "congratulations" leads to verbal chaos. When Rafa asks whether he should join a college or find a job, some uncles say yes, and some say no. It seems as if these uncles look for an opportunity to start a quarrel. They have different opinions on how the word "Google" is pronounced, and no one is willing to accept they are wrong. Unsurprisingly, Rafa's mother, Drea (Christina Vidal), tells her son never to seek professional or personal advice from her brothers.
Yet, the uncles sometimes manage to guide Rafa and help him make the right decision. Of course, they might have some other goal in their mind, but they do the job. For instance, when Rafa's friend is punished for stealing candy from Drea's store, and Rafa hides his involvement, Mondo (Efrain Villa) senses that the kid has a burden on his chest and takes him for a walk. It's a nice and amusing moment, and Primo consists of more such instances diverting in nature. Consider Drea's explanation to Rafa about how she managed to get him new clothes. The flashbacks remind you of Luis' narration in Ant-Man, though the one here does not explode with as much eccentricity as I wanted it to. However, the words, "One man's rash is another man's treasure," makes you giggle. One of my favorite scenes from the show is undoubtedly the one where fireworks censor a stream of expletives. Drea's angry face is framed in a low-angle shot, and you feel her curses coming out in the form of crackers.
Primo finds time for sad scenarios without turning them into schmaltzy hogwash. The final scenes could have resembled wet kitsch, but Primo handles it with care and sensitivity. It's not interested in cheap manipulations. From the beginning, the show puts a smile on your face, and you have a cheery countenance until the end. Primo is a sweet mixture of rib-tickling comedy and tenderness.
Final Score- [8/10]
Reviewed by - Vikas Yadav
Follow @vikasonorous on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times
Note: All 8 episodes are screened for this review.
Premiere Date: May 19, 2023, on Amazon Freevee