Abi Morgan’s latest production for Netflix, Eric, tells the story of a puppeteer father, Vincent (Benedict Cumberbatch), trying to get over his son Edgar’s disappearance. After stumbling upon a drawing his son made of “Eric,” a giant furry puppet, Vincent constructs the puppet and carries it with him everywhere, using it as a means to cope with his loss. The show takes place in New York in the 1980s, a decade grappling with corruption and a homelessness crisis. Michael Ledroit, a detective played by McKinley Belcher III, aims to help Vincent and his wife, Cassie (Gaby Hoffmann), find their missing son.
However, despite handling what could be seen as dark subject matter often associated with weighty dramas, Eric falls short of its mark. The show fails to establish a consistent tone, bouncing between elements of a comedy of errors and a gritty drama. While the show is unafraid to tackle themes of alcoholism, addiction, and child neglect, it’s not always clear what it’s trying to say about them. Eric seems to want to have it both ways, utilizing fantastical elements given the presence of the titular puppet alongside grim details about New York’s homeless and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Cumberbatch’s performance is a mixed bag, as he’s unable to establish a strong connection with the audience, even as Vincent spirals out of control. Despite the show’s themes of grief and the lengths a parent would go to find a missing child, Edgar never develops into a three-dimensional character. As such, Vincent’s journey feels disconnected from the motivations that drive it.
It’s worth noting that Eric tries to use its storytelling to make commentaries on racial and LGBT politics. Unfortunately, the show’s patchwork of themes means that its critiques of society and politics are often too unfocused to leave much of an impact. While Eric may find its audience, the show does too little to recommend itself beyond the whopping mustache on Cumberbatch’s face
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