A new television series from Argentina, Family Therapy, an appealing melange of comedy and drama, is now available on the ChaiFlicks streaming platform. Set in contemporary Buenos Aires, and revolving around a secular Jewish family caught up in a crisis caused by the passing of a beloved relative, it is consistently entertaining.
The central characters, Jose (Boy Olmi) and Susie (Carola Reyna), are a middle-aged married couple who work in tandem as psychotherapists in a private practice in their home. Judging by the first scene, they use unconventional methods to deal with their patients’ problems. As Jose and Susie watch impassively, an agitated woman with a mane of long hair pounds a chair frantically, in what is a frenetic introduction to Family Therapy.
While Jose and Susie behave like true professionals in interactions with their patients, appearances can be deceiving. When Susie’s father dies of a heart attack, she has an uncharacteristic meltdown, while Jose suddenly discovers his latent Jewish heritage.
As these events unfold in a hectic fashion, additional characters are thrown into the mix.
Mara (Ines Efron), Jose’s adult daughter, is puzzled why he insists on a full-fledged shiva to mark her grandfather’s passing. She cannot understand his sudden dedication to Jewish tradition because he has never been an observant Jew.
As Jose goes about making the funeral arrangements, a viewer learns that Mara is involved in a romantic relationship with another woman. Since both women aspire to be mothers, they turn to Mara’s childhood friend as a sperm donor. He expresses ambivalence about the role that has been foisted on him.
Abel, Jose’s edgy teen-aged son, gets into trouble at school after exhibiting bullying behavior on social media.
Amid all the commotion, Jose and Susie, who are husband and wife in real life, remain at the center of attention in this eight-part series, which was created by Ariana Saiegh and Gonzalo Arias.
At her father’s graveside funeral, Susie causes a stir when she refuses to rend her expensive black outfit, thereby defying a Jewish custom and the rabbi’s instructions. Already flustered, she accidentally drops her cellphone into the grave.
As she mourns her father’s death, Susie falls into a depressive state. In her quest for rest and renewal, she decides to break up with Jose. It’s a bolt out of the blue, defying explanation and leaving a void in the screenplay. Nevertheless, Susie and Jose continue to carry on as therapists.
While Susie is at peace with her drastic decision to decouple herself from Jose, he is befuddled and disappointed by her attitude.
In a hint of may may lie ahead, Susie visits a bar, perhaps hoping to meet another man. Jose, meanwhile, discovers that life without Susie can be unsettling and lonely.
The most grounded person in this ensemble, Bobe (Nora Carpena), is Susie’s red-haired mother, the family matriarch and the owner of a clothing store.
On the basis of the first two episodes, Family Therapy generally hits the right notes thanks to a fine script, a stellar cast spearheaded by seasoned performers, and sharp cinematography.
It was a hit in Argentina, and time will tell whether it can find an audience elsewhere.