Fleishman Is in Trouble

The series is forced to condense that writing into Libby’s animated narration, narrowly avoiding an overreliance on it. Though Caplan commits to the task with impeccable comedic timing, her character’s insights don’t do much to temper the smugness Eisenberg is so great at exuding, but which the series deploys too often. That “Fleishman” is front-loaded with Toby becomes even more unfortunate upon reaching the standout episode exploring Rachel’s side.

If you find yourself disliking everyone in Hulu’s too precious “Fleishman is in Trouble,” don’t worry, because it’s not clear they like themselves. Author Taffy Brodesser-Akner has adapted her book into a limited series with its literary conventions intact, but the result is a frustrating showcase for very good actors as very whiny characters, including Jesse Eisenberg, Lizzy Caplan and Claire Danes.

When Fleishman works as a novel, it’s thanks to Brodesser-Akner’s skill at using the conventions of literature to explore a perspective male writers rarely bother to imagine. When it falls apart as TV, it’s because the medium no longer mirrors the message.