Hello Ladies: The Movie

This film is the extended finale of sorts to the HBO comedy series of the same name. The central character, Stuart (played by Stephen Merchant) is an English web designer who has moved to LA to find love and excitement. He befriends a few people, a soon to be divorcee, a paraplegic who seems to be a chick magnet, and his attractive roommate Jessica (played by Christine Woods) who is an aspiring actress making her own moves on the Hollywood scene in an attempt to further her career.

I was really bummed when I learned that HBO was cancelling this show. I know that it doesn’t load up on the sex and nudity like most original shows on the premium network, but it was damn good comedy. Every episode I found myself laughing out loud for some reason or another though a lot of it was thanks to Stuart’s awful luck and silly plans gone awry. The character is kind of a tool and how he plots to get girls is SMH-worth as he is a little manipulative, but he has his endearing moments leaving you rooting for him as well in certain instances.

I appreciate that instead out outright cancelling it, they gave it a movie to wrap up its storyline. I can’t recall a lot of shows that get that type of treatment. And thankfully the movie is every bit as entertaining as the show is.

This time it tackles the elephant in the room regarding Stuart and Jessica’s relationship. Stephen Merchant nails the awkward and hopeless nerdy role so well. Stuart’s standards are on the high end, often leaving him passing up on a potentially good thing that’s right in front of him. The viewers probably always noticed how well matched they were for one another but the show wouldn’t have been nearly as entertaining if they were already a couple. Between his desperation of becoming a part of Hollywood’s “in” crowd and bagging a hottie for himself, to Jessica’s failed attempts at properly networking to get herself better roles, without those elements the heart of the show would be lost.

Overall, I’m going to miss the series but I supposed there are only so many directions it could go before it ran out of gas. It got the privilege of ending on a high note for me and because it’s a relatively short series, it’s easy to marathon, the movie included. It’s a great companion to the show.

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