Fall may seem like an odd time to review a show that takes place during summer. Then again, Red Oaks is an awfully autumny name for a comedy cured in warm weather. So as with most of life's contradictions, I'll accept that the truth lies somewhere in the middle and get the heck on with it.
The Amazon Prime original Red Oaks (2014-2017), not to be confused with Twelve Oaks (although both have some Scarlett, ha ha), is about a Jewish North Jersey country club in the '80s. Our hero is David Meyers (Craig Roberts), the club's twenty-year-old assistant tennis pro. In the first scene of the first episode, David's dad (Richard Kind) has a heart attack on the tennis court during a discussion about David's future. But Oaks isn't always as serious as an ER trip -- even if pompous club president Doug Getty (Paul Reiser) does tangle with Johnny Law. It's summer, it's fun. And David is at least sometimes carefree as he navigates the do's and don'ts of country club life along with his stoner-slash-secret-genius bud Wheeler (Oliver Cooper) and cartoon character of a womanizing tennis pro Nash (Ennis Esmer) one entitled member -- and love interest -- at a time.
Because true to form of the age of angst, David has girl problems. And parent problems. And what-am-I-going-to-do-with-my-life problems. All of which he battles from his bicycle. That's right. What we have on our hands here is a classic manchild. Not only does David lack wheels, he lives with his parents instead of at NYU. Still, despite his failure to launch, he wants more from life than a wife and a desk job. Even if his high school girlfriend Karen (Gage Golightly) is content to remain in their hometown forever.
As an emissary from the '80s, Red Oaks offers music somewhere between New Wave and the background track on an after-school-special. And then, of course, there's the fashion. Although more realistic than the day-glo sweat bands and leopard leggings that come prepackaged as Halloween costumes, it's nonetheless iconic, with bowler hats, striped leotards, and Laura Ashley-esque florals swathing the artist, aerobics instructor, and costumer that they respectively represent. What's more, Jennifer Grey, Gina Gershon, and Josh Meyers (yes, Seth's brother) round out the "adult" cast. Although the maturity level of Meyers's cheesy photographer is debatable.
Red Oaks brims with life's big and not-so-big questions but leaves plenty of room for funny. Introspective and bittersweet, it's a character-driven joy ride that takes a nostalgic look at coming of age in the '80s.
So, fall. Get out there and jump in a pile of leaves. Just look before you leap.
There are worms in there.
16 comments:
The animal print skirt is cute! Red Oaks sounds interesting. I will check it out.
xoxo
Lovely
www.mynameislovely.com
Yes, I did enjoy Red Oaks..well, because of Craig Roberts. I was really fond of him for a while. He was as I recall a little vamp before he was even on BBC's Being Human. So he's always had this kind of funny dark side about him.
I'm loving your Autumn brooches! Such wonderful fall plaid too!
Thanks for your comments about Chevy and Jools! Sometimes, I like to touch base with characters and see what comes of it. Then there are times I bring back a character or two also. If that isn't enough..a coworker might tell me something and that shows up in my blog too...hahahhaa..
I did have my very long lunch with Paulie yesterday who was in full gear to tell me things he's told me since the beginning. I was having to finish his sentences. I am sure if he read anything I wrote he would be bored.
Thanks so much for reminding me of this series. Yes, I did enjoy this one..maybe for all the wrong reasons. But I am that way. I don't always go for the best sellers. I was looking back at my own blog and came across my obsession of Peter somebody..who was in the short-lived MTV series "I want my pants back". I even read the book. You are so right, we need to keep notebooks of this stuff. I loved your last line in today's post!
Loving this Autumn style too. Such pretty leaves.
Oh, those raccoons..and the fleas..oh no! Yes, I do have nightmares thinking one might come through our fireplace in the basement...since that did happen to someone I know. The neighbors had one in the basement, too..but it came right in the back door because they left it open. Some lady told me when they'd first moved to the edge of the forest the raccoons would just slash open the window screens and just come right on in. The things you have to watch for in the city.
Oh, love the leaves! And thanks for mentioning Red Oak too! There was something as you said..so nostalgic about it. The country club setting and the supportive cast!
Although, I haven't done many fallish things. The pumpkin patch is expensive and packed with people. I still would rather watch from home. We have had some damp days then breezy days here. .. which seems to make the allergies at play.
Of course, I am getting my Leo Lou (Frankie) fix with Broker (C-drama). He's usually the antagonist, but in this, he's just the anti-hero in this modern-day thriller.
It seems our Maker Space is a hit and other libraries in our area want to know what we are doing. Naturally, we have someone on staff who is a natural salesman. They were able to go to a conference and show the other libraries what we were doing. Well, what adult services are doing. Although, we are becoming more cramped at work. Honestly, we need a bigger space.
I'm glad this is a long month, but still, I find myself thinking ahead when all along I should have made the most of the day. Hope you are getting lots done. all the best to your creativity. As always, thanks for being here. Thank you reading and of course, thank you for your comments too.
First dress looks amazing! Colors are beautiful and peaceful. I love it.
So happy to see those creative Autumn leaves of yours. So pretty! Thanks for reminding me of that TV series too. I like the quirkiness of it!
Thanks for your comments too. In this story Sal is probably the backbone of a wayward family he's not even really connected to. Hard to say if he's an anti-hero. Although, a lot of this is based on a family I know. But then again, there is no one like Sal in it. And as much as Jared's downfalls, he has a lot of good qualities too that of course, are overlooked. Yet simply it's not a story about power so much (although, there are certain personas) nor even money..but just family...and how complicated it can be. Especially, when the mom is more of a teenager than her children.
I knew your new foliage accessories would be epic, but holy cow, they are even more epic than what I imagined!!! The rainbow-like print of those in-between leaves are jaw-dropping. And the red and gold rhinestones on the last brooch are so eye-catching! They definitely make me look forward to seeing such leaves appear where I live! The black dress and blue animal print ensemble pair perfectly with the new accessories. And this Red Oaks show sounds super interesting and I love when movies/shows are set back in time - especially in the 80's when the fashion was so amazing to look at! 😃
I enjoyed Red Oaks- I loved that it took place in New Jersey and dealt with some real life issues for a teenage college boy. I loved one of the opening scenes on the tennis court where the father is discussing his grades and says, a C is a Jewish F...so stereotypical and funny!!
It's funny that you mentioned to me about those at work who read my blog. Honestly, I don't think anyone is interested enough. I am sure I am not their cup of tea. Although, I did give Paulie the links. I have my doubts he will figure out how to get to them. And even if he did I don't think he'd figure it out what was going on. On occasion, I have given a link or two to patrons or co-workers who are leaving. Actually, only one patron I heard back from who moved out the country and she was glad I was writing. Although, we don't really keep in contact anymore.
I so hope things are going well with the leafy Autumn brooches and more💖
Oh..one last thing..about Craig Roberts... Oh, I did take a journey back into my Ellie Blog and realized he was my faceclaim for Archie..back in 2014-15 or so. I had written parts of the story that took place in England. He was a half-brother who had to put up with the parents who were worst with hangovers and overdoses...while he was just the opposite. Naturally, he was always falling for the wrong person and even had a bromance. Yeah, I knew I fangirled him for a while. Unfortunately, I lost most of the sets I made that he was in. Funny, how I like to remember actors.
I love this shoes 💛💛
I love such handmade styling accessories
LOVE the new Autumn Leaf Brooch! Looks amazing🍂 Thanks so much for your comments too💕
I never heard about Red Oaks, sounds interesting. Love the outfit with animal print skirt :)
Great looks
From what I know, we never got this show here in Aus, but then again, we don't get most shows here in Aus.
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