Original Concept
The eight-episode series was released on Amazon Prime a few weeks ago. The premise was intriguing and completely original. A documentary crew is filming the process of a jury witnessing and deliberating over a trial. Simple right? There’s a catch. The entire thing – from the documentary crew to the trial itself – is staged. All the participants are professional improv actors. Except for one.
“Jury Duty” combines standard Reality TV with Mockumentary aspects. It feels like a season of The Real World blended with The Office, and in a sense, it is. What works best is the hysterical antics that ensue of the course of the ten-day trial. I was in tears with laughter multiple times.
I’ve noted before that acting in found footage films can be extremely difficult challenge. It’s the same here. The actors are playing real people that are well aware of the cameras but are required to continually be natural. Everyone shines.
Ronald Gladden is the focus of the series. Ronald is the only participant unaware that the events he’s witnessing are staged. We the viewer follow the proceedings, deliberations, and off-hours shenanigans through Ronald’s eyes. “Maybe this is common.” He exclaims at one point amidst the chaos brooding around him. “I don’t know.”
He’s not an actor, he’s just being himself. Gladden comes across as an incredibly pleasant person and, throughout the series crafts genuine relationships with his fellow jurors in a way that seems like second nature for him.
James Marsden also plays himself. Marsden is well known for roles in “The Notebook,” “27 Dresses” “X-Men” to name a few; Marsden is the type of actor who’s been in more than you can recall. His status as a non-lead is employed for comedy here as he attempts (and fails) to use his celebrity status to get out of jury duty. Marsden will become one of your favorite actors by the time you reach the end.
The cast is unparalleled
All of the actors involved are flawless in their given roles. Jeannie (Edy Modica) is a carefree flirt. Noah (Mekki Leeper) is going through relationship troubles. Todd (David Brown) is socially awkward. The members of the jury are the most scrutinized by the faux documentary crew and each brings their own talents to the show.
Judge Alan Rosen (Alan Barinholtz) oversees a courtroom including seductive plaintiff Jacqueline Hilgrove (Whitney Rice) and her spitfire attorney (Trisha LaFache) opposing the defendant (Ben Seaward) and his incompetant council (Evan Williams.)
Rashida Olayiwola plays the bailiff and is one of the best performers of the entire series. My favorite moment was the testimony of “expert” witness Genevieve (Lisa Gilroy). Any and all characters can and will become your favorites as the story progresses.
“Jury Duty” is flat out brilliant. From the original concept to the outstanding characters. It’s loaded with LOL moments and for me became a new fave with plenty of replay value.
“Jury Duty” is available to stream on Amazon.
