In a landscape saturated with predictable rom-com and clichéd on-screen relationships, the Apple TV+ series Platonic dares to challenge the norm. Co-created and directed by the comedic genius Nicholas Stoller, known for his work on hits like Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Neighbors, Platonic explores platonic friendships between men and women. With the dynamic duo of Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne leading the way, this series delivers a blend of humor, heart, and hilarious situations only best friends would get into.
At the heart of Platonic are Sylvia (Byrne) and Will (Rogen), former best friends who reconnect after years of separation. Sylvia, a devoted wife, and mother of three, discovers that Will, her former bestie, has recently gone through a divorce. Encouraged by her understanding husband Charlie (Luke Macfarlane), Sylvia reaches out to Will, despite the way things left off. What unfolds is a journey of self-discovery, genuine interactions, and the rekindling of a bond that proves to be invaluable for both characters.
The series excels in portraying the subtleties of genuine dialogue, a feat that is often challenging to achieve. The reunion between Sylvia and Will in a coffee shop, where unspoken emotions and long-buried memories surface through awkward pauses, excuses to leave, and hesitant expressions. These small details add depth and realism, reminding us of the complexities that underlie friendships, especially after a long period of being out of each other’s lives.
Platonic thrives on the undeniable chemistry between Rogen and Byrne. They effortlessly bounce off each other, creating moments that range in emotions, from sneaking into your friend’s ex’s house to rescue your pet lizard to giving your friend the hard-to-deliver truth about who they are dating. Rogen showcases his versatility as an actor, blending his signature comedic style to portray a character navigating a midlife crisis & hating on transit scooters. On the other hand, Byrne delivers a performance reminiscent of her comedic brilliance in Bridesmaids, infusing physical comedy with emotional depth. However, compared to Bridesmaids, Byrne takes centerstage. Her choice of line delivery paired with perfect facial expressions led to most of the laugh-out-loud moments of the series.
The supporting cast is just as strong as our main duo. Sylvia’s husband Charlie is lovable and supportive - it’s even hard to stay mad at him after “dry-humping” his coworker. Katie (Carla Gallo) who is Syliva’s best friend (post Will), adds a chaotic and fun energy to every scene she is in, she’s the antithesis of what you think a school mom would be. Will’s coworkers/kinda friends Reggie (Andrew Lopez), Andy (Tre Hale), and Omar (Vinny Thomas) are, at times, antagonists. The stand out of the trio is Andy, who is encouraging when he needs to be for Will, but more often it’s fun to see them argue.
Conclusion: Platonic is an outlier in its portrayal of friendships between men and women on screen. The series is refreshing with its witty writing, outstanding performances, and refusal to rely on tired romantic clichés. Platonic reminds us that relationships will come and go, but if they are meant to be, chemistry will always be there. It's a must-watch for those seeking a unique exploration of the various relationships in our lives while laughing your ass off.
