The Bear

:

Season 1
  • Network: HULU
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 23, 2022
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 80 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 61 out of 80
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 80
  3. Negative: 14 out of 80

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User Reviews

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  1. shoulderoforion
    Jun 25, 2022
    3
    Yeah, I didn't get it. I get that's it's an "authentic" cinema verite type of behind the scenes look at culinary art & kitchen chef culture placed in a type of chicago italian beef sandwich shop you wouldn't typically think would have this sort of structure, but it's just not interesting enough to keep my attention for a 10 episode season. The backround story about the guys brotherYeah, I didn't get it. I get that's it's an "authentic" cinema verite type of behind the scenes look at culinary art & kitchen chef culture placed in a type of chicago italian beef sandwich shop you wouldn't typically think would have this sort of structure, but it's just not interesting enough to keep my attention for a 10 episode season. The backround story about the guys brother slowly revealing itself wasn't all that interesting either. I made it 5 episodes before I pulled the plug.… Expand
  2. srbbnd
    Jun 27, 2022
    2
    Well then, gave this a watch after reading all the positive reviews and then realized I had been dupped.

    I searched the internet thoroughly trying to find validation that this was indeed crap by a reputable source and they had all drank the purple cool aid, from the nit-picky Roger Ebert to the Chicago Tribune giving this a near perfect score. I was unable to find validation and    Well then, gave this a watch after reading all the positive reviews and then realized I had been dupped.

    I searched the internet thoroughly trying to find validation that this was indeed crap by a reputable source and they had all drank the purple cool aid, from the nit-picky Roger Ebert to the Chicago Tribune giving this a near perfect score. I was unable to find validation and apparently, I am in the minority. I liked Shameless and the actor Jeremy White has done what he can with the role in The Bear.

    The problems arise with the lack of realism that The Bear ends up showing with dialogue and human emotion. The positive reviews stem from what critics believe that this is a real representation of how people actually act in a chaotic environment. I myself who has worked in a few restaurants as an Italian who does enjoy an Italian Chicago beef sandwich the seriousness portrayed in this show is ridiculous. The relationships between co-workers, families and acquaintances give an over importance of the mundane tasks that affect us all. It is like a high school play if the students had too much soda where they believe that any outside factor is the end of the world.

    A quick example is where the retro gamers line up for a tournament and are acting like wild animals, punching, trying to break the windows, screaming and the cousin comes out and has to shoot a gun in the air to calm them down. This is the complete opposite of how gamers would be acting, normally quiet and introverted types. Let alone the legal ramifications of shooting a firearm in the streets in modern day times.

    In conclusion, this show is basically ER set in a sandwich shop that tries to be a dark comedy. There in lies the problem. Takes itself way to seriously with the self-indulgence of importance without actually understanding the human condition, or how humans actually interact with each other. The actors do a fine job with what they have been dealt. But with the dialogue, human connections and failing to show the real grit of working in a restaurant that millennials and gen Z have been trapped in due to the faltering middle class this show is a shallow attempt to try to validate our meaningless existence.    … Expand
  3. Scraper
    Jul 23, 2022
    3
    The constant cuts, frenetic camera movement and the yelling not only are headache inducing, but they signify writing that is desperate to please without saying much. Every character is wound up and sent on a one dimensional path. It’s just poor writing. It’s a show where food is one of the focal points yet we’re only really shown flashes of what they’re cooking. The Bear is trying to tellThe constant cuts, frenetic camera movement and the yelling not only are headache inducing, but they signify writing that is desperate to please without saying much. Every character is wound up and sent on a one dimensional path. It’s just poor writing. It’s a show where food is one of the focal points yet we’re only really shown flashes of what they’re cooking. The Bear is trying to tell a story an intimate story without ever taking a moment to let us in.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best TV Season of 2022
32
#32 Most Discussed TV Season of 2022

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Lucy Mangan
    Oct 5, 2022
    100
    The Bear is half-hour gobbets of kinetic, pressurised, propulsive brilliance with occasional moments of stillness that make you see how much has been done in order to serve up something so delicious. This is a show that has been meticulously prepped, simmered, reduced, balanced and eventually plated up to perfection by the creator Christopher Storer and co-showrunner Joanna Calo. Dig in.
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  2. The Telegraph
    Reviewed by: Anita Singh
    Oct 5, 2022
    100
    The Bear gets the balance between atmosphere and story, sour and sweet, just right. At a time when big budget TV, with things such as House of the Dragon or The Rings of Power, has decided that more is more, The Bear is a real palate cleanser. It’s a masterpiece in reduction - and the sauce has bite.
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  3. i
    Reviewed by: Rachael Sigee
    Oct 3, 2022
    100
    Infused with pain and empathy by White’s taut but tender performance. It is equally easy to root for his staff. ... Watching how the sausage gets made may not be pretty but in The Bear, it is impossible to look away.
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