Red Oaks: The Feel-Good Story You Need

In need of a 1980’s feel good throwback?  Wait no more as Amazon’s Red Oaks series fills the void that Stranger Things left when you realize they won’t release season 2 till Halloween 2017!  The 80’s is the perfect cinematic setting that writers and directors will always feel drawn too.  For example, shows such as the aforementioned Stranger Things, Freaks and Geeks, The Americans, and AMC’s Halt and Catch Fire all capture perfectly the essence of the decade where music, style and art are glorified and celebrated.  Currently, music and certain fashion trends have traces that link back to the 80’s proving how influential the decade was but this show displays an image of simplicity that we find ourselves longing to be apart of.

Red Oaks follows a group of young college kids all doing their best to enjoy the summer, figure out their future career paths, while at the same time earning money at the Red Oaks Country Club which was located in the suburbs of New Jersey.   The show doesn’t contain any big name actors or actresses and their skills in the Jersey accent can sometimes get in the way, but the narrative has you rooting for these young adults, who have the pleasure of assisting these billionaire families who only see them as “the help” and refuse to see them as anyone with any potential to advance in life.

David Meyers is our main character who plays a passive and scrawny assistant tennis pro at the country club.  The Amazon comedy starts with a conversation between David and his dad, who plays the “classic Jewish dad” way too well.  David’s dad (Richard Kind) is giving his son a lecture about how becoming an accountant is the safest route to take in life because of it’s job security and people will always need someone to do their taxes for them.  It’s clear to viewers that David does not agree with his dad and as we see throughout the series, has some serious artistic abilities.

The show follows David’s story while he does some soul searching and is constantly trying to figure out where his future will take him.  He has many outside influences who are always trying to tell him what to do but none seem like options he is willing to pursue.  Between his love affair with the President’s cute yet complicated daughter and his parents’ constant bickering which proves very entertaining, David’s journey is a comedic one and keeps you wanting more to see what happens next.

 

The narrative isn’t anything extraordinary, in fact many of the story lines are extremely cliche which seems to be done on purpose.  The directors clearly hang on it’s mid 1980’s setting to carry the show forward and draw it’s viewers in.  But I am not complaining, it’s not a cheap trick and these directors really embrace the culture in such an obvious way that it’s comedic.

 

 

But who doesn’t love summer?  Especially in an era where cell phones were non existent, personal computers haven’t been commercialized and distributed to households yet.  This time period mixed with the summer season shows a setting that viewers long for.  A simplification of life in which anything is possible.  The fat kid realizes he can be with the girl of his dreams, the President of the Club learns to respect little David, and it’s never too late for a bisexual woman (or man) to find herself and succeed in the dating world.  Red Oaks gives its audience a look into what a bubble that everyone would yearn to be apart of.  The summer camp bubble is special, there’s a sense of comradery with your peers, everyday is a different adventure and nothing is more fun or romantic than a summer fling.  Mix in 1985 hairstyle blowouts, short shorts, and you have the perfect 80’s shows.  Side note: Josh Meyers plays his character so obnoxiously that it’s slightly offensive but I kind of love it.  (Pictured below)

 

 

Basically I feel like this show has not received the attention that it deserves, it’s a feel good story and I want to thank my brother for bringing it to my attention so I can bring it to yours.  If you ever find yourself in a rut of shows that aren’t grabbing your attention then I recommend this throwback feel good story.