Fleishman Is in Trouble has a fairly unoriginal premise. After dealing with a tumultuous marriage to his now ex-wife Rachel (Claire Danes), liver doctor Toby Fleishman (Jesse Eisenberg) is now suffering through a grueling divorce. He feels empty and lost, like he has utterly failed at one of the few things keeping him going. And he feels those desperate pangs of loneliness that creep up on him whenever he’s not on a fling with a girl he met online or clinging to the strained relationships he still has. These feelings are exacerbated once he finds out that all of a sudden, his ex-wife has gone missing. It’s not all bad, though! His existential crises are narrated by his somewhat estranged friend Libby (Lizzy Caplan), which is probably the best way one could have a complete breakdown. Throughout the course of this show, Toby grapples with what his life has really amounted to and goes on what can only be described as a gradual, winding downward spiral. 

There have been plenty of media about midlife crises and the brutal life changes that occur because of them. It’s been done before. It will be done again. So what makes Fleishman Is in Trouble so special? 

It’s simple, really. Unlike most shows, Fleishman Is in Trouble has a phenomenal script that is directed in a unique and consistently engaging way. The presentation of this show turns it into something almost magical, which makes its themes hit that much harder. The brilliant score matches the masterful shot composition and adds so much to each scene with its dramatic flair. 

What also makes this show stand out is its depictions of each character. There are no heroes or villains, just deeply flawed and broken people doing their best to appear whole. While we spend the majority of the series with Toby, the show does not shy away from his more toxic traits. You don’t hate him, per se; you can still empathize with him by the end of the day. But you can also understand why others don’t; he is never fully in the right but is too self-centered to realize this. Jesse Eisenberg gives what might be my favorite performance of his as he steps into this painfully authentic role and makes it his own. Rachel, on the other hand, only gets about an episode or two to shine. However, boy does she shine when she gets the chance. She can come across as a work-obsessed maniac of sorts initially, but her actions get recontextualized later on to a point where while you still can’t excuse her behavior, it makes total sense why she does what she does. Claire Danes is simultaneously riveting and heart-breaking with her portrayal, which is filled to the brim with pathos. Libby is probably the most likable character on the show, but even she has issues and insecurities that perpetuate each of her relationships. She is sort of the stealth protagonist of the show, and is the most fully-realized character by the end. 

Fleishman Is in Trouble proves that a seemingly trite concept can become a wholly original experience if it’s supported by compelling characters, gripping dialogue, and thrilling direction. Thanks to stupendous filmmaking on every level, this show is without a doubt one of the must-watch series of 2022.

10/10