We Like Ike

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In a casual and engaging manner: Ike Barinholtz’s character, Sal Saperstein, constantly sports furrowed brows and a concerned forehead in Apple TV+’s show The Studio. His expressive face, broad and flexible, soaks up all sorts of advice, criticism, insults, and occasional compliments. In this series, Sal serves as the embodiment of Hollywood’s Id, constantly pushing for commercial success, wealth, and lewd behavior. This character seems almost unscathed by the Me Too movement. Barinholtz, who also executive-produced Netflix’s Running Point, has a knack for portraying high-energy characters that switch between high and low status or even maintain both at once. In the fifth episode of this series, “The War,” we witness Sal clashing with Chase Sui Wonders’ Quinn over who should direct the Continental’s Smile rip-off, Wink. The resulting conflict (and humor) provides Barinholtz with one of his best performances throughout his career on both big and small screens.

Quinn, following Sal around the office, boasts about her film knowledge, having attended film school, and her passion for filmmaking. This comes after an awkward dinner with Sal’s daughters, one of whom kept FaceTiming during the meal and the other who had just become vegan, causing a scene when non-vegan food arrived. The tension between them arises from their contrasting ideas about Wink, a project they’re working on. Quinn wants it to be directed by Parker Finn, who made Smile and Smile 2, while Sal thinks Owen Kline, who desires to explore new directions with the concept, is more suitable. Most episodes of The Studio revolve around Matt’s indecision about what Continental should produce, but here, Sal and Quinn symbolize the clash between traditional and modern filmmaking. However, instead of deep discussions about Hollywood’s potential improvement, The Studio opts for comedy antics, with the rivalry between Sal and Quinn escalating into a prank war.

In a different phrasing: Barinholtz, similar to many renowned slapstick artists, evidently thrives on the dramatic build-up leading to the climax in “The War.” A scene where he strides through the Continental lot, receiving blows from diverse objects, showcases his prowess in comedic rage. There’s an underlying menace present in Sal, but it’s all exaggerated; he’s impotent, professionally, and can’t effectively or successfully intimidate his subordinate. The script could have portrayed Sal as purely malicious, but even at his worst, there’s a pitiful and endearing charm to him, conveyed through Barinholtz’s open and expressive countenance. Sal deeply resonates with each insult, jibe, and cold shoulder from one of his children. A significant portion of the episode focuses on how offensive it is for these men at the studio to hear the word “lame” — but Sal indeed fits that description, quite miserably, and he’s aware of it. He tells Quinn, “Just because I dislike movies with subtitles doesn’t mean I have nothing to teach you,” which carries an implicit dismissal of himself.

Barinholtz’s unpredictable portrayals as Sal should not come as a surprise to those who have been familiar with his career, dating back to his breakthrough on Mad TV in 2002 or from multiple seasons of The Mindy Project as the turbulent character Morgan Tookers, nurse and ex-con. He has consistently brought a lively, chaotic flair to films such as Neighbors and particularly Blockers, allowing him to exhibit a softer, compassionate side within his frenetic roles. As Barinholtz matures on screen, the grandeur that once characterized his comedic acts has evolved into a comedic persona that moves with grace – each arm flick, head shake, or squint is amplified by the intensity of the emotion he’s expressing. Just like any skilled clown, he incorporates his performance into every part of his body. “I’ve been doing this for a very long time,” Sal tells Quinn, and the fatigue is evident on his face by the end of the episode. This statement applies to Sal, but it also resonates with Barinholtz – he’s a seasoned professional who knows exactly what he’s doing, making being a failure look enjoyable.

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2025-04-17 01:54