'Mr. Throwback' Review: Stephen Curry makes his screen debut, he shouldn't have bothered
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Just when Stephen Curry and the rest of his Team USA teammates make strong buzz at the Paris Olympics 2024, Peacock drops a mockumentary starring Curry as a fictionalized version of himself.
'Mr. Throwback' revolves around Danny Grossman (played by Adam Pally) who was once a promising basketball prodigy. Sadly for him, the future didn't pan out as expected and he ended up being a memorabilia shop owner.
It's a story of how once a man who enjoyed stardom and anticipated some more ended up being a nobody, clinging on to the memories of his youth and living on the idea of "what could have been."
He reconnects with his now-famous NBA friend, Stephen Curry, which sets off an exploration of regrets and redemption.
'Mr. Throwback' attempts to offer more than it can afford
We have to agree that the plot is gold and Stephen Curry being a lead cast is enough to draw our attention. However, the show tries to do too much while managing to deliver just enough laughs to keep you watching while primarily leaning on nostalgia.
The show stumbles, trying to be both a laugh-out-loud comedy and a serious drama, often losing its balance in the process.
Apart from being the lead actor, Adam Pally also serves as the executive producer of the limited series. There are moments when he, along with David Caspe and the Libman brothers, seem unsure of what they want 'Mr. Throwback' to be.
Is it a sharp, witty mockumentary, or a deeper, more introspective look at the impacts of fame and failure? The show tries to be both but ends up being neither.
It terribly fails to commit to its more serious undertones. Danny’s backstory—his fall from grace, his estranged relationship with his father, and his crushing debt to the Polish mafia—is introduced with great promise but then quickly side-lined in favor of more superficial, laugh-seeking plots.
It’s as if the show wants us to feel for Danny, but only as much as it can without derailing the comedy.
And if we talk about humor, well, it occasionally hits the mark, but often feels forced, relying too much on basketball in-jokes and pop culture references that will likely sail over the heads of casual viewers.
Stephen Curry starrer Peacock series misses the mark
Stephen Curry plays an exaggerated version of himself. He is good in his role by showing off his comic chops while poking fun at his own image. But that isn't enough.
Even though his chemistry with Pally's character is entertaining at times, it fails to mask the show's tonal inconsistencies.
Pally plays an underdog and does a fair job at it. Tracy Letts delivers a standout performance as Danny’s gruff, recovering alcoholic father.
Ego Nwodim also brings a refreshing energy to the show as Kimberly, a former friend turned head of Curry’s production company.
To sum it up, 'Mr. Throwback' is a mixed bag. It’s got heart, it’s got humor, and it’s got a great premise, but it doesn’t quite know how to tie it all together.
For those who enjoy basketball and don’t mind a few missed shots along the way, it’s worth a watch. But for anyone looking for a new comedy classic, this one might not make it past the first round of playoffs.
'Mr. Throwback' is now available to stream on Peacock