It has been roughly 17 years since the television program Friends aired its final episode and the world’s favorite group of companions took their last bow. The everyday exploits of New Yorkers Rachel, Ross, Chandler, Monica, Phoebe and Joey had entertained and delighted millions of households across the globe for a rousing ten seasons, making it one of the most successful sitcoms ever created, a bona fide mega-hit of epic proportions. Ever since that bittersweet finale, though, the entire cast (Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, Courtney Cox, Lisa Kudrow and Matt LeBlanc, respectively) has only ever gathered together once – until today.
A special event from HBO Max, Friends: The Reunion, triumphantly reunites these six actors as they discuss the legacy and impact of the highly beloved program. It combines cast conversations, interview snippets from James Corden, sketch segments, celebrity and fan testimonials, and reflections of the show’s production from its creators, all to a mostly successful degree.
At its most effective, this event captures once more the euphoric joy that has made the show so venerable, tapping into its signature rugged vein of endearing human connection. It particularly excels in the simple yet intimate conversations among the cast, brimming with the sheer exuberance and loving rapport that these talented performers lent to the show for a decade. The creators’ firsthand production accounts are also fascinating and will certainly garner newfound respect from anyone for the show’s lightning-in-a-bottle comedic alchemy.
This special functions as an earnest ode to this sitcom, checking in any cynicism at the famous purple door of Apartment 20. It derives this affectionate love letter from not only those conversations but also the poignant celebrity (including Lady Gaga, Kit Harrington, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling) and fan homages, unabashedly deep-cut references and unshakable sentiment that never feels mawkish.
However, like the show itself, this reunion definitely has its shortcomings, and there is quite a bit of surface-level segments and excess weight here. For all his charms, James Corden is not a potent enough interviewer. He cannot seem to glean anything substantial from the cast (except one reveal of a behind-the-scenes romance), and this bears rather meager insights, though the questions themselves lack depth as well. I would have been ecstatic to receive a definitive answer to the age-old question of if Rachel and Ross were actually on a break (They were not, but that’s a conversation for another time.)
But, again, this special functions in tandem with its narrative predecessor, compensating for its flaws with an unwavering heart. For better and worse, Friends was always a time capsule. Some of its jokes and depictions are certainly dated and culturally insensitive (another element that is glossed over here), but at its best, it instilled innumerable people with happiness, positivity and optimism in their darkest hours, showing us a buoyant time that can be recreated if we just PIVOT! a little. If you are seeking another slice of hope from your favorite gang, give Friends: The Reunion a watch: Just don’t expect a yellow-framed peephole into deeper observations.
Friends: The Reunion is now available on HBO Max.
Photo Credit / Warner Brothers
