Review: On Becoming A God In Central Florida Series Premiere – A Comical Drama Worth Watching
Series Premiere – “The Stinker Thinker”
Premiere Date: Sunday, August 25, 2019 at 10PM ET/PT on Showtime
Reviewer Rating:
“Go-getters go get.” – Travis Stubbs
Wrapped in saccharin-laced honesty, On Becoming A God In Central Florida is a show you didn’t know you needed to watch. Filled with shockingly accurate depictions of the underbelly of a pyramid scheme, On Becoming A God In Central Florida centers on Krystal Stubbs (Kirsten Dunst) and how the “Founders American Merchandise (FAM)” ruins her life. Or does it?
After reading the synopsis, I wasn’t sure I wanted to watch but I was curious to see how the writers captured what it’s like to be entranced by the opulent promises of a get-rich, be your own boss, entrepreneur scheme. Within the first few minutes, I was hooked. I needed more.
Dunst is reunited with her Melancholia co-star Alexander Skarsgård who plays her husband Travis. Dunst shines as a feisty, opinionated, concerned and fed-up wife and mother when her sleep-deprived husband Travis begins a downward descent into the FAM life.
The dialogue kind of makes my skin crawl because I have first hand experience with a so-called pyramid scheme. I was being recruited by someone who promised that I too could have that X-type car, big house, and travel the world…if only I would spend X-amount of money to buy my starter kit.
On Becoming A God In Central Florida hits the nail on the head with how the “upline” folks try to help their top “recruiters” sell the business to their “downline” people and recruit more.
Set in 1992 in a city only known as “Orlando-adjacent,” Krystal, a former local beauty queen, works at a water-park, “Rebel Rapids,” and is desperate to not “be poor again.” With Travis on the cusp of quitting his day job to commit full-time to FAM, Krystal has every reason to be concerned, especially since they have a small infant daughter.
Travis tries his best to convince her that FAM is their best hope to get rich,“You’re my wife. You’re supposed to support and respect the work I do because when I climb that mountain, you get the view. If you’d only trust me, I will make your dreams come true.”
Skarsgård’s performance is so convincing. He plays Travis with such aplomb and conviction. You believe wholeheartedly that Travis believes in FAM. His commitment to the business pushes him to the literal edge.
The scene with Travis in a tuxedo at his office is beyond amazing. I lived for that entire moment. Travis dancing around, high-fiving his coworkers as he walks out to a crowd of FAM members is priceless. I am also in love with the soundtrack because it’s a lot of 80s classic hits. And let’s take a moment to appreciate that haircut. Is it going to be a mullet soon; I don’t know. All I know is Skarsgård is marvelous as Travis Stubbs.
There are so many wonderful performances throughout the series. The cast of characters introduced include Krystal’s good friend and coworker Ernie (Mel Rodriguez), his wife Bets (Beth Ditto), Travis’ upline mentor, Cody (Théodore Pellerin), and the wife of a “Silver Washington Distributor” Carol (Julie Benz), who could make a Stepford wife cower.
Throughout the series premiere, “The Stinker Thinker,” you’re not sure whether the show is a comedy with some drama mixed in, or if it’s a drama with some tragically comedic elements. There are certainly some absurdities in the premiere but it’s the ending that seals the deal. It really has some bite.
What stands out the most for me is the realism of the show. While it’s satirical, the way the FAM members swoon and go ballistic when their founder Obie Garbeau II (Ted Levine) shows up in town (in a helicopter no less), this kind of behavior actually happens. If you haven’t seen videos of “rallies” of other alleged pyramid schemes, you should look them up.
Levine gives an outstanding performance in his brief time on screen. The cadence of his voice as he produces his “Garbeau System” motivational tapes is almost hypnotic. The whole system is meant to be enticing, alluring, and seductive. If you don’t believe in the message that you’ll be “a millionaire,” they can’t lure you in.
“Look at where you are; think about where you want to be.” Obie, in all his Colonel Sanders Evangelist-type grandeur, has a way with words. His complete disregard and blatant lack of respect for anyone makes you want to punch him in his bushy mustache mouth.
It’s hard not to get caught up in the story and hope that Krystal brings his whole operation crashing down. But is she starting to get caught up in the hype? Or is she strategizing? Either way, FAM doesn’t want Krystal as an enemy because she’s more crafty (did you see the bedazzled bra, and the way she uses maxi-pads to help armpit sweat) and cunning than meets the eye.
And thank you to the music department for all the wonderful song choices throughout “The Stinker Thinker.” Songs like “Neutron Dance” by The Pointer Sisters, “Tarzan Boy” by Baltimora, “Heart and Soul” by T’Pau, and my favorite “Self Control” by Laura Branigan had me ready to break out my acid-wash jeans and bust a move.
Tune into On Becoming A God In Central Florida, Sundays at 10PM E/P on Showtime.
If you don’t have Showtime, you can watch the first two episodes free online https://www.sho.com/on-becoming-a-god-in-central-florida
ON BECOMING A GOD IN CENTRAL FLORIDA Trailer
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Judy Manning
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