We take a look at the next three episodes of the great web series comedy Lunch Room, where we get to learn more about the employees of the fictional supermarket.
Halfway through Lunch Room series 1 and what I am finding really enjoyable about the show is the dialogue between the characters. There is a genuine family atmosphere amongst the actors and you can tell they are thoroughly enjoying themselves. As I’ve mentioned in previous reviews the constant hustle and bustle of the characters coming to and from the small Lunch Room is what gives this series its energy.
Lunch Room takes the form of what is more commonly known as a gang show. A gang show is where many different characters mingle, intertwine and interact with each other, sometimes they connect but most of the time they clash. The aim is to cause tension and then you relieve that tension with laughter
The dialogue comes across as completely natural, I’ve worked in similar places, taken my breaks in similar rooms and what you see in Lunch Room is exactly what you see in reality. There are 14 writers credited on IMDB and they are all part of the cast so, while it is obvious the majority of the dialogue is improvised, there is a strong dramatic through-line that each cast member adheres to. This is a vital part of Lunch Room’s success. The main plot, however threadbare, stops these flights of fancy descending into surrealism and keeps the show under control.
Episode 7: Halloween
Episode 7 is a bit of a slow burn compared to previous episodes. Titled ‘Halloween’ the opening scenes of the staff in costume are, as you would expect, highly amusing, but then we change the location for what is the first time in the show. We visit the home of Mina – an openly gay character played by the actor Mina Asfour. While at his apartment, we meet his boyfriend Jarrod Bain, as they talk about religion, family, and how both of these institutions question their sexuality. It’s a gear change into another important subject that Lunch Room is not afraid to approach.
Episode 8: Faces
This short focuses on the importance of social media during the pandemic. This is a very clever episode that uses social media platforms like Teams, Zoom, Facebook Messenger, and What’s App type video calls to keep our characters connected while they are all at home. Filmed during the Australian lockdown, the plot concerns a broken window and the use of an Ozsupermart pallet jack. The genius of ‘Faces’ is that it manages to feel like an ordinary episode.
Episode 9: Proximity
Episode 9 concerns Alana, who takes her ex-girlfriend June for a hike in the woods where they pour over the details and problems that occurred, causing the breakdown of their relationship. There is some great cinematography in this episode which gives ‘Proximity’ a very cinematic feel this is matched by the performances of Alana Maclean Dowling and Natassa Zoe as the former lovers.
Despite the strength of ‘Faces’ and the cinematography of ‘Proximity’, episodes 7, 8, and 9 suffer from a lack of interaction between the cast members. It’s the hurley burley of the group in such a small space that is the main source of the show’s success. Of course, due to circumstances out of their control, this is no fault of anyone but what it does tells me is that, with this group of actors, Lunch Room could well be a hit
Leave a Reply