Prime Video’s “Mammals” focuses on Jamie and Amandine’s rough relationship, which only becomes more tumultuous after the husband uncovers more secrets about his wife’s adulterous affairs.
story
Mammals begins with Jamie and Amadine enjoying their vacation until tragedy strikes the couple and they miscarry.
Jamie’s life is further shattered by a harrowing discovery when he stumbles upon his wife’s promiscuous messages with another man.
With the help of his brother-in-law, Jeff, Jamie continues to work and pursue the man Amandine is sleeping with. Eventually he discovers more secrets and affairs and learns that she is having sexual affairs with not one but three different men.
He doesn’t immediately confront Amandine, and while she tells him she wants to find her magic again, Jamie burns with the discoveries he’s made.
Amandine takes violin lessons and her proximity to her teacher enrages Jamie, who later breaks Amandine’s family violin into pieces.
His preparations for opening his first restaurant are affected by the turmoil in his psyche.
Meanwhile, Jamie’s sister, Lue, is also going through a rough patch in her marriage to Jeff.
She remains distant and sad all the time, instead fantasizing about being Coco Chanel’s assistant and cheating on her husband while reading her autobiography.
Jamie’s tolerance is exceeded and he blurts out all the secrets he’s learned to family, friends and other guests at the restaurant’s opening.
Amandine’s text later gives Jamie a clue that reminds him of a memory. He finally learns who the third man Amandine is having affairs with, and the truth shocks him even more.
At the end of Mammals, Amandine tells Jamie why she cheated on him and why she may have started it.
The shocking truth about Jamie’s own faithfulness and loyalty is revealed as his hypocrisy is exposed and his relationship with his wife comes to an end.
performances
Mammals has a cast of talented actors who all do a great job of delivering their scenes with the sense of turmoil, fear, conflict and guilt that permeates them.
In moments of sadness and comedy, it’s the show’s appearances that keep her afloat, even if the story may not.
James Corden is surprisingly great as a goofy man so unaware of his own hypocrisy and infidelity that he comes off as a loser.
It’s a bit difficult at first to detach his image from that of a late-night host, but as the episodes progress his performance also becomes increasingly believable and commendable.
positive
There are moments of real comedy, even in some otherwise serious and dark scenes. On the other hand, the drama can be just as engrossing, if not more so.
The running time is short and crisp, which allows the show not to drag out the melodrama or angst of infidelity stories that are usually expected of them.
negatives
While the twist at the end sums up even better how Jamie is such a pathetic weasel and hypocrite, it feels a bit abrupt and undeserved.
There could have been some nudges and smudges from Jamie’s promiscuous tendencies early in the story.
Sometimes the jokes don’t go over well at all and just detract from the candid moments of seriousness, much like a Marvel joint.
mammals
Director:
Stephanie Laig
Date created:
11/11/2022 05:30
Also Read: End of Mammals Explained: Who is Paul?
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