In Limbo: Central-duo’s chemistry lifts this haunting Aussie dramedy
Monday, 16 December 2024
REVIEW: Charlie (Ryan Corr) and Nate (Bob Morley) have been best mates ever since the latter helped the former bury his childhood cat Hercules.
Now workmates at the same Brisbane construction firm, although it’s clear their banter and rapport is top notch, deeper conversations are not being had. While Nate sets Charlie up on his first date in nine years without really considering if his pal is ready just a year after his wife left him, Charlie hasn’t really bothered to enquire why Nate skipped the Christmas work drinks for a visit to the doctor – an act that earned him the “honour” of having a used portaloo strapped to his flatbed truck.
Joining forces to try and finish the Wendy house for Nate’s daughter Bella before she and his wife Freya (Emma Harvie) return home from the UK, Charlie is shocked to return from a surprisingly sweet and successful night on the town with Lily (Philippa Northeast) to discover his mate flat on the floor – and unresponsive.
Putting aside any emotion to focus on finishing “Casa Bella”, inadvertently ghosting Lily in the process, Charlie wonders how he’s going to break the news to Freya, when he discovers he’s not alone.
Most pop-culture paranormal conceits either play the scenario for laughs (Ghosts, Ghost Dad, Dead) or crime-solving (Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), The Frighteners, Dead), but a few try to explore something deeper. Ghost, The Sixth Sense, A Ghost Story and Truly, Madly, Deeply all looked at unresolved issues, each in a very different way.
Sure, this six-part 2023 Aussie dramedy, In Limbo (finally available to watch on ThreeNow 18 months after it debuted across the ditch) isn’t short on a laugh, especially as Nate disparages his cobber’s clobber (“You look like you’re trying to sell me carpet – and not good carpet”) and speech-writing skills, but it’s also a thought-provoking look at mateship and mental health.
“Even with an off-the-rack suit and a joke-free soliloquy you’re still the coolest bloke here,” “ghost” Nate tells Charlie, as the latter prepares to deliver the eulogy and attend the farewell he’s clearly not prepared for.
Deftly written by Lucas Taylor (Black Snow), this is a show that will have you laughing one minute and crying the next. You’ll be drawn in by the clear chemistry and easy rapport between Packed to the Rafters’ Corr and Love Me’s Morley, only to be hit hard by the powerful emotional moments, as Charlie struggles to deal with his friend’s absence (and seemingly continued presence).
In Limbo is now available to stream on ThreeNow.