dissatisfaction—with an appeal-
ing melancholy, and she brings
a relatable bewilderment to
her character’s lonely efforts to
explore her sexuality. (A sequence
in episode 5, in which Eve
attempts to spank herself while
leaning over the chair at her
kitchen island, is a little master-
piece of physical comedy and
defeat.) Mrs. Fletcher’s fascination
with pornography is never sensa-
tionalized or salacious, it’s
more the engine for her midlife
realization: Why should she
continue being a “good girl” when
all it’s gotten her so far is neglect
from her entitled son and con-
stant disappointment from an
ex-husband (Josh Hamilton)
who has a new family to focus on?
Though it’s only seven half-
hour episodes, Fletcher gives the
excellent ensemble substantive
subplots about their own search
for acceptance. White is a stand-
out as Brendan, a standard-issue
d-bag who becomes more
interesting and endearing as his
self-confidence—and entire
worldview—unravels around him.
Owen Teague, so perfectly brood-
ing on Bloodline, is adorably
hangdog as Julian, a 19-year-old
who meets Eve in a creative-
writing class and immediately
develops a crush. Another class-
room romance blossoms between
Margo (Jen Richards), a transgen-
der teacher, and Curtis (Rashad
Edwards), an aspiring sci-fi
writer; Richards and Edwards have
charming chemistry, and their
handful of scenes together creates
a relationship with real stakes.
Mrs. Fletcher doesn’t really
stumble until the very end. Eve
makes a break from her past
and finally pushes beyond the lim-
its of her liberation, but the
finale, which omits several of the
developments in Perrotta’s novel,
feels bafflingly abrupt for a show
billed as a “limited series.” If
ever a story cried out for another
chapter, it’s this one. B+
Kathryn
Hahn
A LOOK BACK AT SOME
OF THE STAR’S BEST WORK.
BY KERENSA CADENAS
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Michelle’s (Hahn) romantic
struggles inspire the
article that leads her BFF
Andie (Kate Hudson) to Ben
(Matthew McConaughey).
Transparent
The Amazon series featured
Hahn as a rabbi who falls
for Jay Duplass’ character. It’s
a sexy, earthy, heartbreaking
performance.
Bad Moms
Hahn’s signature sense of
humor gets to shine playing
Carla, a single mom who
doesn’t need a Mrs. Fletcher
moment to find her sexuality.
I Love Dick
Hahn starred on this Amazon
series as a self-obsessed
filmmaker who becomes
infatuated with an academic
named Dick (Kevin Bacon).
ESSENTIALS
TH
E
MRS. FLETCHER
: SARAH SHATZ/HBO (2);
TRANSPARENT
: AMAZON STUDIOS;
BAD MOMS
: MICHELE K. SHORT;
I LOVE DICK
: JESSICA BROOKS/AMAZON;
HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS
: MICHAEL GIBSON/PARAMOUNT
