The Story of Leonard and Hungry Paul Review: A Soothing Series Narrated by the Famous Actress Provides the Perfect Cure to Modern Life

In a quiet neighborhood of the Irish capital, a person is standing outside his home, wearing a vest and voicing his feelings. “I feel myself getting quieter. Less noticeable,” remarks Leonard, staring toward the stars. “Circumstances have evolved and at this point I feel like without a change, my life will proceed in this simple, peaceful routine.” His friend Paul, his only and only friend, ponders these words. “There's no harm in that,” he responds, his dressing gown swaying with the wind. “Superior to attempting to leave an impact only to wind up defacing it.”

For those exhausted by the bluster and rat-tat-tat of modern television terrain, the show comes similar to a cozy wrap with a hot drink of a sweet cordial.

Similar to its gentle leads, Leonard and Hungry Paul – a six-part comedy created by the writing duo, based on the author’s understated book – casts a critical eye on contemporary society; peering skeptically through its eyewear on everything related to loud sounds, abrupt changes or – perish the thought – too much drive. The series on the contrary, a celebration of shyness; a quiet celebration of those content to pootle around below the parapet. And yet. The character (one more distinctly original portrayal from the star) feels restless. He feels a creeping “need to open the entryways in my existence … slightly.” The loss of his parent has pulled the carpet from under his slippers and this young man, a ghost writer, now feels questioning the paths that directed him to his current situation (unattached; sporting facial hair; working on several educational volumes for a man who signs off emails with the phrase “see you later”).

And so Leonard begins on a journey for emotional fulfilment, accompanied by the somewhat braver Hungry Paul (the actor) serving as his trusted friend, life coach and partner during their regular gaming session that serves both as discussion (“Is the pool warm from kids relieving themselves, or do kids pee in it as it's heated?”) and sanctuary.

(How did Paul get his nickname? The reason is unknown. The origin of the nickname seems forgotten in mystery. It could be that Paul once ate a snack in record time, or responded to an awkward situation by panic-peeling four scotch eggs with his teeth).

Arriving in Leonard's calm existence cartwheels a vibrant character (the actress), a new lively colleague who cheerily offers to get rid of Leonard’s appalling boss (the character) in a workplace safety exercise. That whooshing sound noticeable signals Leonard's peaceful routine being turned upside down.

Elsewhere in the initial show of this program not heavily plotted and more on what younger viewers may refer to as “vibes”, we are introduced to the older generation (the consistently great the actor), a worn-out individual who secretly watches, tapes and rewatches television game programs to impress his adoring wife using his trivia skills.

Guiding viewers amidst this subtle warmth we hear a narrator who closely resembles – and truly is – Julia Roberts. Indeed, the celebrity. Should you wonder, “undoubtedly the presence of a major Hollywood star is at odds with the series’ unshowy MO and starts off as just an interruption?” you're right. However, the actress performs admirably, and lines such as “Leonard’s problem is his absence of a look of sudden insight” assist in making sure that early misgivings yield though not complete approval, then at least acceptance.

But that’s enough grumbling for now. The series' spirit is well-intentioned: the right place being “located on a seat next to the Detectorists, pointing out its preferred bird.” This is a show that moves gently in comfortable attire, at times staring into space, sometimes downward at its feet, quietly confident that there is nothing on Earth as uplifting as passing time with dear pals.

Unlock the entryways of your life, a little, and welcome it inside.