Physical

Rose Byrne (Damages) is a world class actress. In Physical, she plays Sheila Rubin, a mother with a serious eating disorder and staggeringly low self-esteem. Moreover, she is also a tad spectrum in my opinion as a result of severe childhood trauma, but I would say: look at Physical and judge for yourself. Apple TV+ continues to deliver good series like this one and I love that. I have never once complained about my subscription. Sheila's husband thinks she fully supports him in his political ambitions and somehow she does, but at the same time she thinks he's a complete fagot. That contrast is at times super comical, also because we as viewers can listen to what Sheila thinks all the time. We read her mind, as it were. And usually they are the opposite of what she says out loud. But Physical is certainly not a political series or anything, on the contrary, her husband's political career plays only a small part in the script. He might as well have kept teaching in college, that wouldn't have made any difference to Sheila's story. And so it's really about Sheila getting bitten by the aerobics bug long before that fitness method becomes a worldwide phenomenon. Sheila completely loses herself in it, and the intensive aerobics classes she takes help her cope better with her eating disorder, and with her daily frustrations with her marriage and the submissive position she is forced into. In the 1980s there was more freedom and happiness than now, but mainly for the men, not really for the women. As a child of the eighties I realize that now (with my own parents in mind) while I never saw it that way then. I especially enjoyed the vibrant 1980s vibe of Physical, the beautiful colors, the surf scene, the great music, the cool script and the sexy outfits from the aerobics era of Jane Fonda and Olivia Newton John (grin). This series is definitely recommended for those who like comedies with a dark and devilish edge, such as the HBO series Barry for example. And I repeat, Rose Byrne is phenomenal. As always.