“Mr. and Mrs. Smith” – TV series review

Donald Glover is a multi-talented young man. Proof lies in his boatload of awards and nominations for acting, writing, directing, producing and in several aspects of the music biz. Further proof lies in his having enough clout to attract a slew of stars for mostly brief appearances in this eight-episode action comedy. Alas, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” is not his best work as co-writer or co-star.

Glover plays a guy recruited by an unspecified secret agency to pose as half of a normal, bland couple while remaining perpetually on call for any kind of covert op, from protection to swiping documents to whacking designated baddies. The “wife” they picked for him (Maya Erskine) shares all the assignments while helping to maintain their cover. As is par for such courses, they don’t like each other until they do. Throughout the season, they quibble with each other between and during their jobs. He’s more experienced, but she’s smarter. He’s impulsive; she’s methodical. Both chafe at the others’ assertions of leadership in most situations they face.

Not a bad setup, but poorly executed. The scripts aren’t as funny or exciting as they should be. That’s especially disappointing since they decided to reuse the title of a superior 1996 series starring Scott Bakula and Maria Bello, and the zany “Brangelina” (aka Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie) pairing in a 2005 movie. Third time under the banner was not the charm. All ran on similar façade and function dichotomies, though the movie upped the ante a bit with its spin of the spouses not even knowing each other’s secret identity. Those productions set the bar somewhat higher than this could reach. It’s not a remake of either. This incarnation fizzles on its own initiative.

The couple’s repetitious verbal clashes grow tedious. Action sequences are too few and far between, as they build to a fairly bizarre climax. Some of the guest stars pitch in bits of panache – notably Parker Posey, John Turturro and Ron Perlman. Same for either comedian Dave Attell or his clone in an uncredited appearance.

Worst of all, the two stars are seriously miscast. No credible chemistry to match their character arcs. Glover looks great with his shirt off, as he makes a point of proving several times (*author’s confession – I’d be tempted to do the same if my torso even closely resembled his. Alas, my six-pack is thoroughly insulated beneath an ample layer of less screen-worthy covering). On the other hand, there’s no insight into how Erskine looks without hers. The whole thing is quite PG-13 as to sex, language and violence. And unfortunately dull.

“Mr. & Mrs. Smith” is available streaming on Amazon Prime starting Friday, Feb. 2.

RATING: 1 out of 4 stars