Ah, the trials of middle age and the letdowns of suburban life—welcome to “The Slap,” a drama that aired on NBC, delving into the existential crises of individuals who should be living their best lives but find themselves ensnared in dissatisfaction.
Meet Alex (played by Tom Baker), a city official who just missed out on a coveted promotion. As he wakes up on his 40th birthday, he yearns for jazz, cigarettes, and the pleasures of life—who can blame him? He’s bracing himself for the inevitable chaos of a birthday bash. His loud Greek parents show up, along with his obnoxious rich cousin, a free-spirited artist friend who drinks a little too much, and his wife Mia’s circle of friends, all bringing their own drama to the party.
And oh, what a battle it is! The gathering is a minefield of snide remarks, hidden resentments, and barely controlled tempers. Alex struggles to suppress his attraction to the babysitter, Lucy, while also managing his mother’s attempts to overshadow his wife as the host. He’s also trying to keep the rambunctious kid, Leo, from wreaking havoc on his cherished vinyl collection. It’s a juggling act of emotions and responsibilities, and let’s be honest, the kids are displaying more decorum than the adults.
We’ve seen some familiar themes here: the overbearing ethnic parent, the distracted spouse, and the husband nursing fantasies about a much younger woman. In “The Slap,” Alex finds solace in Lucy, believing she’s the only one who truly understands him. They bond over books by Jane Jacobs and Chris Ware, and he introduces her to the magic of jazz. Describing Miles Davis, Alex tells Lucy, “It’s so slow you think it’s going to stop, but it doesn’t.”
While the adults are caught up in their longing and disputes, the children are immersed in play—organizing a baseball game and figuring out how to share an iPad. They attempt to explain the rules of the game to the temperamental Leo while the intoxicated parents hurl insults at each other and spy on secret crushes. However, Leo’s antics become too much for even the most patient adults, and when his tipsy father can’t rein him in, tempers flare.
When the slap finally lands, it’s as unavoidable as a plot twist in a Chekhov play. All these desperate individuals, grappling with their desires, erupt into chaos. The shocking act of hitting a child unleashes a torrent of raw emotion, turning the backyard into a ring of shouting parents, each one grappling with their own turmoil.
Like many stories set against the backdrop of New York’s elite, viewers can easily get distracted by the lavish lives of these characters. They have beautiful homes! They’re successful! They look amazing! (Curiously, the character I felt the most compassion for was an elderly patient in Mia’s medical practice, haggling over her bill with the receptionist.) Yet, amidst all their affluence, the loneliness of strained marriages and the weight of parenting failures loom large. As Miles Davis might say, it’s the absence of fulfillment that truly demands our attention.
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In summary, “The Slap” captures the emotional turmoil of middle-aged life, showcasing how a seemingly simple birthday party can unravel the complex web of relationships and desires. It serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles that lie beneath the surface of affluence and success.