- Actors: David Schimmer, Jim Sturgess, Michael Gladis, Lorenza Izzo, John Doman
- Directors: Daniel Attias, Jon S. Baird, Dennie Gordon, Steve Shill
- Format: Box set, Color, NTSC, Widescreen
- Language: English
- Region: Region 1
- Number of discs: 3
- Studio: Lionsgate
- DVD Release Date: October 11, 2016
- Run Time: 377 minutes
After only one
season, “Feed the Beast” was cancelled, proving that not every show on AMC is a
winner. Based on a Danish series about a couple of friends opening a restaurant,
much must have been lost in translation along the way. Rather than focusing on
the food, “Feed the Beast” throws every cliché at the audience, devolving into
more of a crime show than one about cooking or the business of selling food.
And when criminal activity doesn’t dominate the narrative, bad relationship
melodrama takes over.
The short-lived
series follows the personal and business relationship between old friends, Tommy
(David Schwimmer) and Dion (Jim Sturges). Tommy is a single father still
reeling from the tragic loss of his wife, though the series begins with Dion
being released from prison. From the very start, “Feed the Beast” works very
hard to foster the image of bad boy chef for Dion, who mostly just comes off as
irresponsible and selfish. His rebellious behavior is what landed him in
prison, and it is also a characteristic which makes his friendship to Tommy
difficult to understand.
Whatever it is
that once caused these two very different people to once be friends is no
longer apparent within the narrative of “Feed the Beast,” other than constant
reminders that they both shared a dream of opening a restaurant with Tommy’s
deceased wife (Christine Adams). The only way that they can achieve this dream,
however, is by becoming bedfellows with several unsavory characters. For Tommy,
this is his father (John Doman), who has used illegal and morally questionable
tactics to become successful in business. For Dion it is an actual mobster
(Michael Gladis) who he owes money to already.
This crime
element is added to the show on top of the fact that they are trying to open
their fine dining restaurant in the Bronx. It
is as if the writers have done everything they possibly could to make the
restaurant business appear edgier than it is, while the important elements of
the show just aren’t very good. The relationships aren’t believable between any
of the characters, including a love interest written in for Tommy’s character
only to sleep with Dion instead. The two leads don’t seem like friends, none of
the romantic storylines have any chemistry, and even Tommy’s relationship with
his son is plagued by the cliché decision to have him refusing to speak since
his mother’s death. That is, right until the expected cheesy moment that he
yells “Daddy” before the end of the cancelled show.
Rarely is a show
this sloppily constructed picked up by the AMC network, though they certainly
self-corrected quickly. The first (and only) season of “Feed the Beast” is
available on a 3-disc DVD set, which comes with a Digital HD copy of the same. There
are actually quite a few special features, including commentary tracks,
featurettes, deleted scenes, and even a gag reel. Unfortunately, the show
doesn’t really deserve that much attention.
Entertainment Value:
5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 5/10
Historical Significance:
3/10
Special Features: 7/10
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