27/34
Remake of Elagente Topo (2020)
Line of Events
Charles, a retiree, finds a new lease on life when he answers a private investigator’s ad and becomes a mole in an undercover investigation at a nursing home. Michael Schur was inspired to create “A Man On the Inside” after watching the Chilean documentary “The Mole Agent.” He says, “Agent Mole” the documentary is powerful because it makes people of any age, ethnicity or gender feel something remarkably similar, and I would describe that feeling very reductively as “I have to call my mother.” In our show, we tried to do a similar thing with the tone: basically, our show contributes to that feeling of making us want to call our mom? Ted Danson, about 76 years old, plays Charles, about 76 years old, a retired engineering professor living in San Francisco. He is also the producer of this series, which differs from most by avoiding the all-too-common vulgar dialogue.
This one, in fact, is very clean and consequently funnier
In the story, his wife had probably died a year earlier of Alzheimer’s disease. He is healthy, but perhaps bored with his daily routine. He has a habit of reading periodicals and newspapers and often cuts out an interesting one to send to his married daughter in Sacramento. One day, through a hole in the hole, he sees a small and short ad.
Charles will be the key
Seeking person between the ages of 75 and 85 for a specific job. This leads him to a private investigator hired by a man whose mother is in a luxury nursing home in San Francisco, some important jewelry has been stolen and the son wants the thief caught. So he is hired to watch the place, observe and report back as the person who reveals what is happening. Ted Danson is simply perfect in this role which he plays with great humor.
My wife and I enjoyed the streaming
It quickly becomes less about who the thief was and more about relationships. The cast of characters is played by a group of good actors, many of them old favorites that we have come to know over the last 50 years or so. After watching the first three episodes in one night, we watched the last five episodes in one sitting after our usual Saturday night steak and wine dinner. The ending sets up a sequel, I hope they do.