A modern marriage that’s under the microscope of both its partners. A comedy drama, State of the Union stars Chris O’Dowd as Tom and Rosamund Pike as Louise; a couple who examine their relationship and talk of its future, whether it will be together or possibly apart – going so far at times as to discuss new romantic interests. But that’s only if they don’t work out their issues.
Alongside such amicable and hostile topics, both of which are delivered with great sarcasm and wit (the dry humour here being Oscar Wilde worthy), they also give their perspectives on how they got together and whether from their initial attraction they could have ever worked, and will ever work, based on the people they are today.
Nick Hornby, the highly successful writer of romances (without the over-the-top shine and gloss), has another success on his hands with State of the Union – a show that’s sharp-tongued and full of biting dialogue as Tom and Louise become more inventive in their repertoire, their comebacks cutting if not malicious. Although they seem for the most part honest – their brutal truths accidently delivered. Filled with believability, the couple’s issues are a culmination of small to large difficulties that can be found in any marital problem; from the distancing of one another, an affair, unemployment, to even voting differently – in this there’s a nice reflection of Brexit; a once happy couple that’s drifted from one another, and are now being pulled apart.
Brimming with personality, and at just ten minutes per episode, State of the Union wastes no time in getting straight to the point; Tom and Louise’s marriage is on the rocks but the pair don’t wish to call it a day…yet. In an agreement only of this and not the solution, the couple decide on counselling sessions – but it’s not these that we’re invited to, but the ten-minute meetups at the pub across the road. The couple using them as chance to prepare, and agree, as to what they’ll discuss that day. But in these short talks they find another argument, upset or anger the other, all while reviewing what’s happened in the previous week’s meetup – including snippets of the last counselling session – providing us with highlights of their progression/regression since these talks.
The setting for each episode never waivers; they’re always at the pub and they’re always looking through the window at the counsellor’s door – working out how their session will be, (and interestingly) judging those that leave before them. The other couples sway from scenes of anger, to deep passion, or in the case of an elderly couple lean on each other for support. Through watching these couples Tom and Louise like to guess as to the cause of their troubles; a bit like Cluedo as they try to psychoanalyse their movements and expressions, and in this it’s similar to what the audience is doing to them, but with less information. Fittingly it’s in their speculation of the other couples that they provide powerful insights into their own way of thinking, and of their thoughts about one another – maybe he didn’t try hard enough, maybe she made him feel incompetent – their indiscreet jabs or worries being voiced through others.
When final walking across the road to the counsellor’s office (often whilst arguing) there’ll be a sudden reveal so tantalising that you with want to sneak into the therapy session with them, but its private and you never get past the front door. In having such a simple but clever method of never changing the setting, the viewers’ attention is narrowed down to a fine field of focus – making us attune to any changes within the couple, while seeing all the sides of Tom and Louise; the way they dress, hold their drinks, their language (clear tones and underlying ones). Till eventually even the smallest mannerism is unable to sneak past the viewer or each other, who then call out as to knowing what “that” means. Throughout the series you’ll find your alliances flicker and change – neither are faultless in their relationship, just as neither are to blame.
Hornby keeps you hooked with his short sweet episodes, each one a little moreish than before, causing you to rush back and gobble down some more. Its constantly changing direction of optimism to pessimism making you feel as though you’re standing on ground as unstable as the couple. In having this unpredictable quality to Tom and Louise’s future, the show keeps you enthralled, as do their personalities – they’re smart, likeable, but vastly different. Can they have a happy ending? And one that’s possibly together? You’ll just have to keep watching State of the Union.
Creator: Nick Hornby
Other notable works:
- High Fidelity 2020
- Brooklyn 2015
- Wild 2014
- An Education 2009
