Releasing the entire eight-episode series on Feb. 2, Amazon’s “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” quickly rose to no.1 in over 130 countries on Prime Video according to Deadline and other industry sources. So what’s all hype? Let’s dive in and see if we can find the secret to this series’ instant success.
Let’s begin with the fact that this remake, almost 20 years after Simon Kinberg’s “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” movie was first released, stars Maya Erskine from “Pen15” and Donald Glover, also known as Childish Gambino. Erskine and Glover are both multi talented individuals that utilize all their gifts. Donald Glover actually co-created this series with Francesca Sloane. Glover was also involved in the writing and directing of episodes on top of being the male lead.
Next, this rendition of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” was created in a way that it doesn’t matter if you’ve watched the 2005 movie starring Brad Pitt and Angelia Jolie. This adaptation has “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” applying to work as spies disguised as a married couple. So, Jane and John Smith are fully aware their “spouse”/partner is a spy, unlike in the series predecessor. Jane Smith addresses this work arrangement in the first episode by saying, “You draw less attention as a couple. You know, you’re less likely to defect if you’re relying on a partner. It’s an old KGB tactic.” With this major shift in the storyline, this Spy-Thriller series quickly evolves into a Rom-Com.
Prime’s latest series stars Donald Glover and Maya Erskine. Photo Credit: Prime Video
Not sure if that is a pro or con for people, it does align to the vision Donald Glover shared during his interview with Entertainment Tonight at the show’s premiere though.
Glover said, “I’m not a big fan of remakes, so this was kind of a big deal to kind of take it on. Once I saw the original, I was like, ‘This is a good date movie.’ And I was like, ‘Maybe I could make a good date show out of it?’ Like, you know, something me and my wife could watch together.”
The show certainly meets Glover’s high standards. In addition to its great performances, the series has stunning cinematography. You feel the explosions of mission one, the breaking of bones after their first failed mission, the cold of Calfosch, Italy during their “first vacation” and the warmth of Lake Como, Italy as they avoid flying bullets.
This series’ pace is slower than your typically spy-thriller, which enables viewers to get invested in the characters and actually go along with them as they evolve. Each episode lets the audience witness the progression of our titular couple, with even episode titles like ‘First Date’ to ‘Couples Therapy’ expanding on the theme of each installment. This type of pace also gives the showrunners time to develop the characters and make them relatable. If its reception and my viewing experience is anything to go by, it has certainly worked.
April Littleton, Reporter
(Featured Image from Prime Video)