Portlandia Review: Amore (Season 7 Episode 5)

Portlandia parodies the romantic comedy on Season 7 Episode 5, and it is “beautiful.”

It’s a love story updated for our hipster times and takes an unexpected path that only Portlandia could think up.

Fred goes on the perfect date only to have it foiled by “parking logistics.” I like this Seinfeldian reason for them to not pursue a romantic relationship.

He is, understandably, disheartened by the difficulty of finding love and seeks outside help from the arranged marriage service, Amore.

It is unclear whether or not Fred ends up with an Italian woman from the old country because he brought his mom with him to the consultation or if Amore is really a mail order bride operation. Either way the sketch plays hilariously.

Fred and his mom meet with the Amore representative, played by Veep’s Sam Richardson. This is a great guest appearance. Richardson is skilled at these understated, back-handed compliments, as well as using sarcasm in a way that’s almost sweet.

Fred: It’s my pediatrician. Currently my doctor, so…
Amore Rep: As an adult man, you see a pediatrician?
Fred: Yes, but I call him doctor. He knows I’m a grown man. He’s a doctor.
Amore Rep: He’s a child’s doctor.

Fred is matched with Giuseppina, played by the versatile Rachel Dratch. Their love affair, which turns out to be a summer fling, is really cute to watch. Fred doesn’t question the fact that she’s a little old lady that speaks very little English and sweeps and spits all the time.

Dratch is so great at embodying such a diverse spectrum of characters. I especially like seeing her dance to traditional Italian music and distastefully shun the “gelato.”

The break-up scene is the highlight. Turns out Giuseppina is just on a vacation; the house Fred thinks is hers is just a Airbnb rental.

Seems like Giuseppina is having a little adventure and Fred thinks she’s a mate for life. They both start making the sign of the cross over and over until Giuseppina gives up, annoyed. This is, by far, my favorite moment.

Fred finds support in the good citizens of Portland, including recurring character and Nina’s adolescent tutor from Season 6 Episode 9. They all offer up some comforting words of encouragement.

It has a heartwarming ending with Fred playing the mandolin and everyone dancing around the coffee shop.

That main story comprises most of the episode, but the side sketches are equally as entertaining.

One of the more substantial skits focuses on bullying in schools. Parents are concerned that their kids do not have enough grit. The school’s answer is to bring in a “safe bully.”

Chip Pinsky is a nice meanie. He’ll steal your lunch money, but make sure you have a sandwich and milk so you aren’t hungry. He puts a pad down before he shoves you. Fred Armisen as Chip Pinsky balances the two extremes nicely and the result is humorous.

This plan, of course, backfires. The kids become “too gritty.” So, the school implements a new system: Operation: Refragilization which is just musical theater.

I love how this show takes topical issues and dissects them in such a way that you can ponder the issue as well as laugh about it.

Another well done sketch is the luxury home movie theater experience. There is a place in Portland where you can go and have the feeling of watching a movie at home but in a public theater for $30 per person. Of course there is.

Ursula and Wayne, the employees at the theater are the kind of Portlandia characters that make me giddy. They have matching fros and the way they deliver their spiel is superbly nuanced.

They describe the “amenities” that come with your thirty dollars, which is really just your own remote (or “cinemawand”) and the ability to go to the bathroom in the same room.

This absurd “luxury” is the weird business you expect to see on Portlandia, and even though it’s commonplace in this universe, it’s refreshing and enjoyable. It is “exotically familiar; new but the same.”

Rounding out the episode and tying into some of the other sketches is the brief, but dynamic “beautiful” skit. I have often had the experience online where some random compliments a photo with a simple flattering remark.

Portlandia portrays it as sinister only with the ominous music. Otherwise, it’s just some harmless dude shelling out kind words.

It shows the dichotomy of the circumstance. It’s a complete stranger invading your (internet) space which can be alarming, but also they are just saying something nice.

All in all, I agree with the cyberstalker on this episode—it’s “beautiful.”

Stray Observations:

• The Navigation XT commercial that opened the episode is great. Can that be a real thing? It’s like an adulting app and I need that.
• I am so happy that Rachel Dratch is in this episode. She is underrated.
• I really think some of this relationship advice is pretty helpful. “Love isn’t planned. You can’t conquer it.” Such wise words.
• “Tonight we are showing the second half of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” “It’s been a long time since any of you have seen the movie from the beginning and that’s the way it is going to remain.”

What did you think of this episode of Portlandia? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Portlandia airs Thursdays at 10/9c on IFC.

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