“Living With Yourself” Review by Brooke Daugherty
November 3, 2019 9:19 am |
Living With Yourself is Netflix’s newest binge worthy series, created by Timothy Greenburg.
Insecure Miles Elliott (Paul Rudd) who gets a procedure to help with his confidence on the
recommendation of a coworker only to find out he has been cloned (Paul Rudd). What ensues is
a thought provoking black comedy.
Every episode is written by Greenbug and directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. The
partnership of all three behind the scenes makes for a cohesive and interesting series.
Dayton/Faris only have a handful of credits including Little Miss Sunshine and Battle of the
Sexes, but they use each character’s point of view to full advantage. Each episode flips from the
point of view of Miles to the point of view of “New Miles”, with one reserved for their wife Kate,
as they traverse living with the other.
Paul Rudd really shines in both parts. He is sad and pitiful as the burnt-out, unconfident Miles,
making the viewer feel a bit sorry for him in the beginning. Rudd’s confident and charming “New
Miles” seems to be modeled after his own public persona. Aisling Bea plays Miles’ wife Kate.
This is the first real acting I have seen of Bea – the only other time I have seen her is on Drunk
History as Guinevere. She is an Irish actor/comedian who should be in more mainstream media,
just based on Living With Yourself.
The supporting cast includes Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development) as Miles’ half-sister Maia,
Desmin Borges (You’re the Worst) as Miles’ co-worker Dan, Karen Pittman (The Americans) as
Miles’ boss Lenore Pool, and Zoe Chao (Where’d You Go, Bernadette?) as receptionist Kaylyn.
Rudd shows off his acting chops successfully giving two different performances. (And who
doesn’t twice as much Paul Rudd?) Even though we find out the premist in the synopsis and the
first episode, the plot still manages to have some unexpected turns. I recommend you watch
this series when you have a few hours. Each episode is 22-35 minutes and all eight could be
watched in an afternoon.
PCL Rating: Tupperware
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: FRESH 🍅
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Tags: Brooke Daugherty, Living With Yourself, Living With Yourself Netflix 2019, Paul Rudd Living With Yourself, pop culture leftovers
Categorised in: Television Reviews
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