Image credit – Amazon Prime
Author’s Score
14/20
This is very different
Any film or TV series that Riz Ahmed is in, you know that it is going to be a hit. Riz Ahmed is an underrated actor; although he does not star in many films, the films and TV shows that he appears in are usually good. The Night Of was one of the best TV series in 2016, and it certainly made waves in the community as it represented a societal problem and shone a light on Riz’s future. Roles in Venom and Hamlet have not enhanced his stardom, as he is still seen as a small-time actor, which many people still do not know.
From 2010, Riz was what we might call a ‘hood’ film star, with roles in Ill Manors and Shifty, which made him known on the streets. Most films that he has been in have been mediocre at the box office. Riz is a good actor, but he is unfortunate in that the roles he plays do not highlight his real gift as an actor. His choices have not been strategic, as he has been placed into roles such as Hamlet that he perhaps should not have played.
Bait takes a comedic drama approach, but it lacks real comedic appeal, as the comedy is based on racial connotations, which can make it uncomfortable to watch. The dynamics of relationships are shown through the connection of the Muslim family, and how they are a close community is highlighted throughout the series. However, the racist remarks undermine the storyline and the message they are trying to present.
The storyline lacks clarity, and the idea of having an Asian James Bond takes away from what the story is really about. It is not clear what the director and Riz wanted to achieve, as it is evident that viewers did not understand him walking around London and talking to a pig’s head. Maybe there is another reason for this, and perhaps it will be explained in a second series if the show is continued.
This is not a strong series that needs a continuation because the storyline lacks clarity and direction. It is a very rushed comedic series, and the use of racial slurs may make some audiences feel uncomfortable. It feels like Riz, who is a co-director, is trying to make a certain racial slur sound acceptable, which it is not. I did not understand the introduction of the pig’s head, and this part of the story was not needed. I do not think it needs another series, but one positive aspect of this TV series is that it has a strong cast, so credit should go to the directors and the casting team.
