Apple TV+ is currently home to a totally unique new drama that’s being compared to films by the Coen brothers and Wes Anderson.
The first four episodes of this wholly original odyssey starring a major British talent are now streaming, with new chapters coming each Wednesday.
Fans of both quirky comedies and compelling dramas won’t want to miss this as it’s a refreshing mix of both genres set in a surreal version of 1960s Los Angeles, California.
Award-winning star David Oyelowo leads the series as Hampton Chambers, a father and petty criminal who spends three years behind bars before emerging as a changed man – almost.
Once released, he desperately tries to win back his family, including his wife Astoria (Simone Missick) and sons Harrison (Jahi Di’Allo Winston) and Einstein (Evan Alexander Ellison).
However, his criminal past begins to catch up on him and he’s lured back to his thieving ways when he reunites with his oldest friend, Bootsy (Bokeem Woodbine).
What follows is a surreal journey of faith and temptation in this 10-part series, Government Cheese, which has just begun today (Wednesday, 16th April) on Apple TV+.
The Independent gave the series a strong four-star review, calling it “dazzling but also dizzying” with comparisons to Wes Anderson.
Their write-up continued: “With Oyelewo at the centre and the family unit all strong, it turns out that Government Cheese is more than just window dressing. The money is not just on the screen – it’s been spent on the writing, too.”
The AV Club likened the series to some of the Coen brothers’ best cinematic ventures.
“It’s a funny, well-acted, unpredictable show that takes a few episodes to find its footing but settles into a nice, confident groove in which you won’t really be able to tell where it’s going—but you’ll be willing to follow along anyway.”
Apple TV+ has dropped to £2.99 per month, effectively giving members three months’ access for the price of one, until April 24.
This includes bingeable shows including Severance, The Studio, Ted Lasso and Slow Horses.
This review also highlighted breakout stars Winston and Ellison as stand-outs: “His teen boys give the show a dose of quirkiness that may earn the show as many comparisons to Wes Anderson as Joel Coen.”
The Financial Times echoed the comparisons, writing: “Wes Anderson meets the Coen brothers in tongue-in-cheek morality tale.”
And What She Said recommended: “If you like the peculiar, offbeat, unpredictable and even far out, Apple TV+ Government Cheese is for you. Described as surreal, it reminds me of the excellent series Fargo.
“Really funny, wild and definitely surreal. Also, it’s 1969 and the clothes, home décor and speech are joyously ripped from the times.”
However, some TV critics felt the series contained too many off-the-wall ideas to completely work.
The Hollywood Reporter was a little more harsh, penning: “It’s a show of very big swings — you don’t pseudo-adapt a Bible story without some ambition — and muted returns.
“The series is amply whimsical, but insufficiently funny or zany or deep. The potential is visible and littered everywhere.”
Will you be checking out the irreverent new Apple series this week?
Government Cheese continues Wednesdays on Apple TV+.
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