‘The Baldwins’ Is Alec and Hilaria Baldwin’s Strange Response to the ‘Rust’ Tragedy: TV Review

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In the two spoof “Queen of Jordan” episodes from the sitcom “30 Rock”, it was clear that Alec Baldwin’s character, Jack Donaghy, felt out of place. Jack, being a self-assured and proud individual, perceived the cameras as an affront to his dignity. However, he found himself unable to escape or control his actions in front of them, often leading to awkward situations. In the show “30 Rock”, as well as in real life, there seems to be an inverse relationship: the more shameless one is, the less they have to lose. For Jack, whose image and reputation are paramount, participating in “Queen of Jordan” was a source of great humiliation.

The scenes from “The Baldwins”, TLC’s latest reality series featuring Alec Baldwin, his wife Hilaria, and their seven children (excluding Ireland Baldwin), popped into my mind while watching it. They split their time between New York City and the Hamptons, but their focus seems to be elsewhere. The series portrays the various distractions they face, which is why it was made. In the past, reality TV might have been an unlikely choice for Baldwin, a highly respected actor of his generation, but recent events have changed that. From the first episode of “The Baldwins” (the only one sent to critics), it appears that Baldwin is not at his usual best, though he hasn’t quite hit rock bottom.

As a movie critic, I found myself immersed in the opening scene of the summer 2024 production, where Alec Baldwin grapples with the impending trial in New Mexico, charged with involuntary manslaughter following an unfortunate incident involving a prop gun that discharged live ammunition, leading to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Unbeknownst to him, this legal battle would last only three days before being dismissed due to procedural issues; yet, it proved to be a costly, distressing, and potentially career-damaging ordeal for him.

In his personal life, Baldwin attempts to maintain an air of optimism around his children, keeping the situation as light as possible. However, when addressing the media, this usually loquacious star appears noticeably restrained. During a heart-to-heart with Hilaria, Baldwin shares a poignant anecdote about a recent conversation with a friend in which he admitted, “I’m happier when I’m asleep than when I’m awake.” This sentiment hangs heavy and uncomfortable in the narrative, underscoring the profound impact of these events on his emotional well-being.

In the TV show “Rust”, Baldwin is not the true victim of the shooting incident, and the series goes to great lengths to make this clear: Hilaria speaks in a formal manner, saying “Life will be forever changed. Halina lost her life in an unimaginable tragedy.” However, this somber reality weighs heavily throughout the show, as we watch a father of seven children grapple with the possibility that his life as a parent may end. As a result, the usual, predictable background music on a reality show sounds overly synthetic, and the moments of joy seem contrived.

Viewers might find themselves feeling a touch melancholic as they observe moments like Baldwin teaching his children to smile for the camera, mimicking “Saturday Night Live” producer Marci Klein’s technique. Previously intriguing, Hilaria’s explanation of her intermittent Spanish accent, rooted in her mental transatlantic space, now seems insignificant. “I adore English,” she says, “and I cherish Spanish too.” She continues, “When I blend the two languages, it doesn’t make me inauthentic; instead, it makes me ordinary!” So, what exactly are we all here for?

In this portrayal, Hilaria exhibits a strong on-screen persona that stands out, making her transitions between accents less noticeable. In one heated exchange, Baldwin advises her, “Let’s slow down. You’re speaking English with a Spanish rhythm, which can be tricky for me.” However, it was not the rhythm of her speech that caught attention, but rather the power dynamic hidden within it. Baldwin hints that around the time they had their fifth child, Hilaria started to assume a bossy role in the family, effectively taking charge and making decisions.

“Yes, I agree that’s your reality of it,” she replies.

Disregarding any future events involving this family during their summer, moments like these in “The Baldwins” seem akin to being stuck on holiday with someone else’s family and gradually cringing as they start annoying each other. In one scene, Baldwin is depicted cleaning the inside of a trash can; his wife, Hilaria, and one of their children tease him about his obsessive-compulsive nature. (“Aren’t you overdoing it with this filming?” he queries the camera operator capturing him clean the bin; either they were keen to record this Emmy-winning individual performing mundane chores, or they weren’t but didn’t have many other suitable shots.)

Over the years, Alec Baldwin has been caught up in numerous scandals and controversies, leading him to express a desire to step away from public life in a New York Magazine cover story over a decade ago. This was following allegations that he used a derogatory term towards the LGBTQ+ community, which he denied. Unfortunately, the death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust” is an incident that Baldwin found himself involved in, and it’s a misfortune that has been further complicated by his tendency to make inappropriate comments or actions at any given moment. Proposing a sitcom based on a large family, reminiscent of “Jon and Kate Plus 8,” appears to be an insensitive reaction to this tragic event.

Baldwin is an exceptionally talented actor. At times, he even manages to speak truths that make people uncomfortable. As the episode concludes, he expresses his deep love for his children by saying, “I would do anything for my children.” The series “The Baldwins” demonstrates that this statement is not just empty words.

The Baldwin series will debut this coming Sunday, the 23rd of February, at 10 p.m. Eastern Time on TLC, and it will also be available for streaming on Max. New episodes will be broadcast every week thereafter.

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2025-02-20 20:19