Kate Hudson's film, "'Running Point', is a definite must-watch
The Roaring Success of 'Running Point' on Netflix:
I ain't gonna sugarcoat it - I never quite got the hype surrounding Ted Lasso on Apple TV+. Good? Definitely. Exceptional? Not so much. But mark my words, Running Point on Netflix is nothing short of damn fine.
You know the drill, no review of a streaming series would be complete without moaning about wanting more episodes. Ten just ain't enough. Remember those golden days when a typical 22-episode season of a series on a broadcast network gave us something to look forward to every week?
But enough about that. Let's get to the good stuff. Kate Hudson shines as Isla Gordon in Mindy Kaling's Running Point, a washed-up party girl forced to lead the struggling pro basketball team, the Los Angeles Waves. With a perfect blend of humor and heart-tugging emotional moments, Isla finds her rhythm, transforming from contempt to respect both professionally and within her family. Fabrizio Guido as Jackie Moreno, the half-brother recently discovered by the Gordon siblings, stands out as he searches for acceptance.
The Gordon family ain't no walk in the park with their messed-up childhood baggage.
Older brother Cam (Justin Theroux) winds up in rehab following a drug-induced car crash. Ness, Isla's older brother and the general manager of the Waves, played by Scott MacArthur, is dealing with the chaos of a cracking marriage and his own struggles with drugs. Drew Tarver as Sandy, another bundle of insecurities, often feels like an outsider and keeps his personal life as a gay man private.
In secondary roles, Max Greenfield as Lev Levenson, Isla's pediatrician fiancé, is practically unrecognizable from his goofy days on The Neighborhood. Brenda Song is No-Nonsense Chief of Staff Ali Lee, Isla's best friend.
The crew includes: Chet Hanks as problematic point guard Travis Bugg, Toby Sandeman as star player Marcus Winfield, Uche Agada as rookie player Dyson Gibbs, and Jay Ellis as head coach Jay Brown.
Jon Glaser as Sean Murphy, the Gordon family nemesis, is always lurking in the wings.
Spoiler Alert!
I'm 'bout to spill some beans from the season finale.
While some critics might scoff at predictability, season 1 of Running Point served up a comforting smorgasbord of the familiar. Highlights included Isla, Ness, and Sandy's emotional moment with Jackie; Travis Bugg showing his vulnerable side; Jay and Isla's passionate kiss; and the return of older brother Cam in the final moments, leaving us all eager for what's next in season 2.
No wonder Running Point roared onto Netflix as #1 on its top 10 list. I'm chomping at the bit for the next batch of episodes - now my all-time favorite sports-themed comedy.
Fun Fact:
Fans of the show might be interested to know that the series draws inspiration from the real-life struggles of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks and its former owner, the late Dr. Miriam Nelson[3].
Kate Hudson's performance in Mindy Kaling's Netflix series, 'Running Point,' is commendable as she plays Isla Gordon, a lost party girl turned leader of the Los Angeles Waves. Despite the series being only 10 episodes long, some critics might label it predictable, but viewers are eager for the next batch of episodes. Aside from the golden days of 22-episode seasons on broadcast networks, Netflix's 'Running Point' is a comforting smorgasbord of familiar connections such as Justin Theroux's troubled character, Cam Gordon, and Brenda Song's no-nonsense character, Ali Lee.
