Leonard and Hungry Paul Review: A Calming Show Narrated by the Famous Actress Offers a Great Cure to Modern Life

In a quiet suburb of the city, an individual can be found on the pavement, wearing a sleeveless jumper and sharing his thoughts. “I feel my voice is fading. Less noticeable,” says the main character, looking into the darkness. “Circumstances have evolved and currently I believe unless I take action, my life will proceed in this quiet, unremarkable life.” Paul, Leonard’s best companion, reflects on the idea. “There's no harm in that,” he responds, his robe flapping gently. “Better than striving for recognition and ending up damaging things.”

For viewers tired by the chaos and rat-tat-tat of current streaming landscape, the show steps in as a foil blanket and warming mug of blackcurrant juice.

Similar to its harmless protagonists, this comedy – a half-dozen installment comedy written by Richie Conroy and Mark Hodkinson, based on the novelist’s subtle 2019 novel – casts a critical eye toward today's world; looking critically above its spectacles at anything that involves disturbances, sudden movements or – perish the thought – too much drive. This show is, instead, a celebration of shyness; a subtle homage for those happy to pootle around away from attention. And yet. He (one more sublimely idiosyncratic portrayal from the star) is uneasy. He notices a creeping “desire to unlock the openings of my life … a little.” The recent death of his beloved mother has whisked the rug away from his feet and the 32-year-old, a ghost writer, now realizes doubting the decisions that directed him to where he is (alone; defensively moustached; writing multiple kids' reference books for an employer who ends correspondence saying “see you later”).

And so Leonard starts on a journey to find happiness, with the slightly bolder friend Paul (Laurie Kynaston) functioning as his trusted friend, life coach and partner in a weekly gaming session which acts as discussion (“Is the pool warm because kids pee in it, or do children urinate as it's heated?”) and sanctuary.

(What's the origin of "Hungry" Paul? The reason is unknown. The origin of this name is shrouded in mystery. Maybe Paul once ate a snack very fast, or answered to a socially fraught incident by panic-peeling four scotch eggs using his teeth).

Arriving in Leonard's calm existence comes a new colleague (the performer), a new lively associate who cheerily offers to kill the awful manager (Paul Reid) during the office fire drill. The swift movement noticeable signals Leonard's peaceful routine experiencing a revolution.

In another part during the opening installment of the comedy not heavily plotted and centered around what the under-30s may refer to as “vibes”, viewers encounter the older generation (the brilliant Lorcan Cranitch), a worn-out individual who covertly observes, tapes and rewatches trivia competitions to dazzle his loving spouse with his general knowledge.

Guiding us through all this minor-key niceness we hear a narrator that sounds very much like – and truly is – Julia Roberts. Yes, the celebrity. In case you're considering, “certainly the use of such a famous actor contradicts the show's modest approach and initially serves only as an interruption?” you would be correct. Nevertheless, Roberts does a good job, and dialogue such as “The issue with Leonard is that he lacks a ‘eureka’ face” assist in making sure that initial doubts yield if not full admiration, then certainly understanding.

No more criticism currently. The series' spirit has good intentions: the right place being “sitting on a park bench next to the Detectorists, indicating the duck it loves.” It’s a series that moves gently in its sleeveless jumper, at times staring into space, at other times looking at its feet, calmly assured that there is nothing in life as cheering as passing time in the company of good friends.

Unlock the entryways within your world, slightly, and welcome it inside.