I really, really, really wanted to like Interior Chinatown. Which on the title screen is stylised onscreen as INT. CHINATOWN. However, there is a massive BUT. I will come to that soon.
Created by Charles Yu, based on his 2020 novel of the same name. His novel won the National Book Award the year it was published. Starring Silicon Valley legend, Jimmy O. Yang as a waiter in Chinatown who is thrust into the spotlight after witnessing a crime.
Alongside Yang, almost Australian, Ronny Chieng stars with, Chloe Bennet, Sullivan Jones, Lisa Gilroy, Diana Lin, Archie Kao, Tzi Ma, Lauren Tom and full time Australian hottie, Chris Pang.
In Australia, the ten episodes stream on Disney+, outside of Oz, it streamed on Hulu last November.
Yes before Christmas was hectic, so I missed this little treat. Sadly in my opinion, this show would have worked way better as a 20-30 minute comedy run, in place of longer 40 odd minute episodes, with a little but too much filler.
So what's Interior Chinatown all about?
Willis Wu is a background character stuck in a police procedural called Black and White. One day he accidentally witnesses a crime, and as he investigates, he starts to uncover family secrets and a Chinatown criminal underground, while learning how it feels to be in the spotlight.
Throughout the ten episodes, I wanted so much to love this. I really enjoy Yang and Chieng's humour at the best of times, however this just felt drawn out. So spoilers below. Here is how Willis. Willis Wu, the finale goes down.
The Painted Faces were friends of Jonathan and reveal that their lives are being watched. Willis flees when police arrive and calls upon Turner and Lana. Lana confirms that the company called Hulu is behind the strange events.
An event honouring Lily's work is being held at the Golden Palace and the gang race there with Green also arriving. Lily quits Betty's team after suffering a moral dilemma. Turner and Green make amends and resume partnership, while Willis also makes amends with Fatty who started a relationship with Audrey. As the police close in, Willis and Lana race to the roof with cameras on them. Willis decides to tell his story, accepting that he is just a regular guy.
Lana, who realises that Jonathan was communicating within an arcade game, pushes herself and Willis off the roof where they both fall into a dumpster. Willis ends up in a purgatory where he happily reunites with Jonathan. All the events are revealed to be a script that Willis is writing. He is introduced to his new assistant, Lana, as this reality is revealed to be a show as well.
Slightly random, slightly offbeat, this is not your average cop show or comedy. If you need something to look at over the break, all ten episodes of Interior Chinatown stream now on Disney+.
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