As a film critic with a lifetime of theater and cinema under my belt, I must say that the fourth season of “Only Murders in the Building” has truly outdone itself. After the lackluster Broadway-centric season left me longing for more of the cozy charm, this Hollywood spin felt like a risky move. But boy, was it worth it!
It’s hard to recall which of the Pickwick triplets committed the act, but I’d gladly spend my savings to witness Eugene Levy committing murder. This could potentially happen in the fourth season of “Only Murders in the Building,” where the trio ventures into Hollywood. While the thought of a murderous Levy, or any other big-name guest stars, is enticing, I was apprehensive about the show doing a Hollywood-themed season. After all, the previous season focused on Broadway and was almost unbearable to watch. However, my fears were unfounded as “Only Murders” has never been better in this new season.
The main issue with last season’s Broadway run was its excessive exclusivity: There were too many jokes that only theater enthusiasts would understand, Martin Short may have been given too much freedom, and the plot deviated significantly from the show’s core appeal of watching our primary trio collaborating together. Characters like Charles (Steve Martin) and Oliver (Short) often clashed as actor and director in the musical, and they mostly found themselves detached from Mabel (Selena Gomez), who was confined to her own murder mystery subplot with a character named Tobert (Jesse Williams). While there were some positive aspects, such as Meryl Streep joining as Loretta, the overall impression was underwhelming. The mediocre moments outweighed the good ones.
In this new season, the storyline takes a different approach, starting with the season opener that sets up a connection to Hollywood. A studio executive (played by Molly Shannon, reminiscent of her role in “The Other Two”) invites Charles, Oliver, and Mabel to Los Angeles with the aim of turning their podcast into a movie. Following the shooting of Sazz Pataki (portrayed by Jane Lynch), who was mistaken for Charles during the season-three finale, this season delves straight into the aftermath. It may seem unusual to handle two storylines simultaneously, but that’s just the unique blend of warmth and darkness you find in “Only Murders”: a show that combines comforting elements with darker themes. As our trio starts investigating suspects within both the Arconia and the film set, the season weaves together its Hollywood premise, new character developments, and the real-life murder mystery.
The success of this Hollywood season can largely be attributed to its strategy of only partially adhering to the theme throughout. Apart from an initial trip to Los Angeles, the majority of the season takes place within the larger community of Arconia. The show primarily sets itself in the apartment complex, with notable characters such as Shannon’s ambitious executive, Jin Ha’s stereotypical screenwriter, a pair of eccentric director sisters, and actors Levy, Eva Longoria, and Zach Galifianakis, who portray heightened versions of themselves.
Remaining within the Arconia building is a shrewd choice given its significant role in creating the charming atmosphere of “Only Murders,” yet the show also discovers fresh angles within its environment. As the story unfolds, we discover an entirely separate area of the Arconia: the East Wing, inhabited by characters portrayed by Kumail Nanjiani and Richard Kind, who are less affluent than those in Charles and Oliver’s neighborhood. This introduction subtly introduces class conflicts within the series. However, it remains to be seen how deeply the ten-episode season will delve into this aspect.
In this season, the show surprises us by the way it uses cameos and guest stars, much like previous seasons have done. Viewers should anticipate seeing many well-known personalities, some of whom have been announced, others not; some fresh faces, others familiar ones. I was concerned that the influx of famous names this season – both those confirmed and unconfirmed – might become a distraction or even irritating. (The appearance of John Cena as a Fak still bugs me.) However, this isn’t the case with “Only Murders”, as it skillfully expands its roster of guest stars. I believe this is due to the unique reality that the show has created for itself, existing between the realm of vaudeville and a New Yorker cartoon. This allows each cameo, whether glossy or seemingly random, to be incorporated seamlessly into the overall surreal atmosphere of “Only Murders”.
As a passionate cinephile, I must say that one of the greatest pleasures lies in witnessing the return of familiar faces on screen. Shows like Only Murders, which boasts an extensive cast going back three seasons now, truly shine when they delve into their deep reserves of talent, whether it’s for a surprising plot twist or even a humorous aside. Once more, Da’Vine Joy Randolph steals the show with her portrayal of Detective Williams, who consistently delivers some of the most memorable lines in each episode. Her delivery of “scrumptious, fuckable baklava,” referring to an undisclosed character, is a moment that continues to echo in my mind.
It’s delightful to witness the comeback of “Only Murders” with a noticeable improvement and hints of innovation. If you look closely, some of the humor and scenes exhibit an edgy, unconventional vibe that seems refreshingly new. However, what truly makes a return is the show’s core focus. At its best, “Only Murders” delves into the undercurrent of melancholy beneath its cheerful exterior. The series explores themes of individuals searching for their place in the world – Mabel’s quest for identity as a millennial, Charles and Oliver grappling with aging irrelevance, and Loretta waiting her whole life to be discovered. This season, the bittersweetness is once again at the forefront. Charles faces the loss of Pataki, Oliver wrestles with being with Loretta, Mabel continues her journey of self-discovery – all while dealing with a bizarre film production. This season presents the Arconia trio in their most captivating forms: striving but moving forward. Contrary to popular belief, Hollywood surprisingly brings out the best in these characters in “Only Murders.”
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2024-08-27 02:54