Barry: A Neglected Psychological Rollercoaster
As HBO adds more and more ongoing projects to their catalog, many gems are beginning to be hidden amongst a towering library of shows, and one of these is a show that aired in late 2018 titled Barry. This show was written by Bill Haider and Alec Berg, starring Bill Haider as the titular character “Barry Berkman,” alongside many other notable actors like Henry Winkler, Sarah Goldberg, Stephen Root, and Anthony Carrigan.
You may ask yourself, “What is Barry about, though?”
Well, let me tell you, or attempt to, because it’s in no way a straightforward plotline—Barry Berkman is an ex-military soldier and part-time assassin who wants to rewrite his life, change for the better, and become an actor. The man travels to Los Angeles, but the shadow of his former life never leaves his side. He’s forced to try to prevent his old life from intertwining with the new one he’s making for himself, leading the man down a path from which he may never return.
The writing from Hader and Berg allows each actor to bounce off one another in organic ways and bring an energy to the show that the audience would have never foreseen—for example, the on-screen chemistry between Bill Hader’s “Barry” and Henry Wrinklers’s “Gene.” Hader is the best example of this, giving an unforgettable performance as Barry and displaying a side of himself that no one would’ve thought possible for a comedian. Not only that, but the cinematography and set pieces ground the hyperbolic world to bring Barry to reality, making one feel like these exaggerated events could happen in one’s day-to-day experiences.
The show is a passion project by Hader and Berg, trying to step out of the genres they’ve primarily been a part of for most of their careers. Bill Hader has predominantly been involved with comedic television and film, specifically SNL (2005 - 2013), Superbad (2007), Inside Out (2015), Night at the Museum (2006), Turbo (2013), and various other projects. In comparison, Alec Berg has been a part of comedic films like Shark Tale (2004), The Dictator (2012), and The Cat in the Hat (2003). These two men put their combined experience together and tried to create something different, something that was unique and never before attempted, landing on the idea of Barry after several months. Their ambition resulted in a show that, on paper, is a straightforward dark comedy but turns it into something much more profound than that.
The story that Hader and Berg were able to create isn’t talked about nearly as much as it should be, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t getting the recognition it deserves, at least from critics. Barry has won nine Primetime Emmys for outstanding lead and supporting actors in a comedy series, along with sound mixing and other categories. Besides that, Barry was named the “Best TV show of the year” in the American Film Institution’s 2020 award ceremony. So, if you won’t take my word for it, take the word of these critics who all saw this unique premise and stuck around to watch it unfold.
Barry is probably a show you have never heard of or seen anything about, but trust me, it’s one you’ll want to watch develop. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys dramas or comedies; however, this is a show meant for everyone, so don’t be afraid to try it! The topics touched on will interest all that watch, and by the end, you’ll be hooked, waiting eagerly to see what happens next.