48/29
Remake of El Agente Topo (2020)
Charles, a retiree, gets a new lease on life when he answers an ad for a private investigator and becomes a spy in an undercover investigation at a nursing home. Based on the Chilean documentary “El Agente Topo”. Ted Danson, circa 76, stars as Charles, circa 76, a retired engineering professor living in San Francisco. He is also the producer of this series that sets itself apart from most by avoiding the all-too-common foul-language dialogue.
He is healthy, but perhaps bored with his daily routine
It is, in fact, very clean and more enjoyable as a result. In the story, his wife died perhaps a year ago from the effects of Alzheimer’s. He has a habit of reading newspapers and periodicals and often cuts out an interesting one to send to his married daughter in Sacramento. One day, through a cut-out hole, he glimpses a small, short ad.
Charles will be the key
Looking for someone in the 75-85 age range for a specific job. This leads him to a private investigator hired by a man whose mother is in some kind of luxury nursing home in San Francisco, some important jewelry has been stolen, and the son wants the thief caught. So he is hired to check out the place and observe and report back as the person who exposes what is going on. Ted Danson is simply perfect in this role, which he plays with great humor.
My wife and I enjoyed it, streaming it
It quickly becomes less about who the thief was and more about the relationships. The cast of characters is played by a group of fine actors, many of them old favorites we have known over the last 50 years or so. After watching the first three episodes in one night, we watched the last five episodes in one sitting after our usual Saturday night steak and wine dinner. The ending sets up a sequel, I hope they make it.
