Over the last two nights I’ve watched all of season #1 and #2 of Mr. Inbetween, and I’m now three episodes into season #3.
This utterly brilliant Scott Ryan-Nash Edgerton series is as much of a thoughtful, sobering meditation about the corrosive effects of violence (spiritual, familial) as David Cronenberg‘s A History of Violence, which was actually more of a dark “comedy” (thanks to William Hurt‘s performance) than Mr. Inbetween is being described as.
The patiently-paced dialogue scenes between the simultaneously amiable and worldly but curiously icy-mannered Ray Shoesmith (Ryan) and his highly intelligent daughter Brittany (Chika Yasumura) are phenomenally good.
Wiki excerpt: “Ryan faced challenges in high school, being asked to leave both alma maters. He later described his behavior as possibly related to oppositional defiant disorder, recounting experiences of public humiliation by teachers. At 17, Ryan’s mental health declined, leading to agoraphobia. He lived reclusively, leaving his home only for essential tasks. Ryan later encountered Richard Liu, a master of medicine and martial arts, who introduced him to Chinese herbs and meditation. For 12 years, Ryan led a monk-like lifestyle, practising yoga, tai chi, and meditation, and abstaining from indulgences. This period of reflection reignited his passion for writing.”