TV Review - "Barry"

Barry, an assassin, lands in Los Angeles to do his job. In an early scene as he walks in the airport a jet takes off in his foreground.  Because change is coming. And it's coming to everyone on the hit HBO show "Barry", from the assassin to the police detective to the ingenue and the Chechen mobsters. From the very first scenes you feel that you're in the hands of people who know the filmed entertainment world inside and out. For example, in one scene, a group of student actors try to help another student prepare for an audition. Although they genuinely want to help, they can't avoid being competitive as they one up each other with suggestions and a show of their knowledge of film history. It's subtle but there - and shown with love and understanding. Set and beautifully staged in the iconic streets of Los Angeles, this story is about what drives the gangster and the actor in all of us - and it is simply marvelous. Bill Hader is perfectly cast in the title role. Henry Winkler, Paula Newsome and Anthony Carrigan take what could be stock roles as acting teacher, detective, and sidekick and turn them sideways, showing their character's depth and profile.  Sarah Goldberg, Stephen Root and Glenn Fleshler round out the principal cast in stellar fashion. "Barry" is highly recommended if you like your crime sugared with humor, your comedy with a darkened edge and your TV literary.