Seasons 1, 2 and 3
True to its title, the series explores one day at a time, veryreal, every day issues of an army veteran, Penelope[played by the very talented Justina Machado] and her Cuban family living in America. Some of the subjects explored seem so trivial while others are quite complicated. From traditional foods to PTSD, and LGBTQ voices, the series addresses all matters with such warmth and emotions that one can’t help; but feel part of the loud, endearing family and their issues.
The characters are etched out well and, the casting is quite perfect. If I had to choose one favourite, my vote would go to grandmotherLydia Riera,played by the legendary, Rita Moreno. Despite the cliché Cuban grandmother and tongue in cheek dialogues, Rita Moreno literally shines on screen throughout. I could watch many of the episodes again and again just to laugh and cry with her. I was rolling off my couch laughing and yet, feeling her motherly concern, when she sneakedat night to spoonher daughter Penelope; because she mentioned she missed her husband help her sleep.Even as a grandmother,Ritacarries her dresses and attitude effortlessly with elan. Her face and body language express humour and emotions with outstandingly real performances. It is no surprise,why she is amongst the few Hollywood actors to have won all leading awards from Emmy,Oscar, Tony, Grammy, and the prestigious,Triple Crown of Acting, like Ingrid Bergman and Al Pacino.
The youngest character of the son, Alex played by Marcel Ruiz is also delightful and adds the right balance to the rest of the, very in your face ensemble of characters. The building superintendent and self-declared family member, Schneider played by Todd Grinnell surprisingly fits into the whole very Cuban equation amusingly well. The way he cheers [and embarrasses] Alex like the rest of the loud family during baseball matches or how he idolizes Lydia and learns dancing from her, are thoroughly engaging without being too sappy.
I quite enjoy the sublime comic timing of Dr. Leslie Berkowitz played by Stephen Toblowsky. His expressions convey so much even after, he subtly mouths off some genuinely funny dialogues. I especially enjoy watching his hapless looks every time he tries to tell the family that he and Lydia are in a relationship while, she loudly pronounces how ‘preposterous and scandalous that assumption’ would be.
The writing is top notch especially, the dialogues. The in-your-face comedy is so wonderfully old school and, the comic timing of the actors is so well tuned and earnest. Whether it is Lydia’s loudsalsa routine, lovingly serving breakfast to her family or;Penelope’s frustrations with her husband’s lies [about dealing with PTSD and alcoholism]; the show has so many moments that will resonate with everyone.Even thesocially and politically controversial comments of Lydia donot seem offensive,especially with Elena’s funny reactions to them. Some sequences like the one where everyone is taking turns to talk to a make-up free,Lydia lying in comafelta little dragged and repetitive. AnotheraspectI’m not a fan of is, Penelope’scostumes. I felt they could have been crafted more mindfully to highlight her beautiful curly hair and lovely Latina features.
All in all, even though,watchingthe show after a long gap, I stillfind myself smiling cheek to cheek. It is really refreshing to have such simple,heartwarming content amongst all the noir, hard hittingcontentwe are over exposed to nowadays.This is one of the few timesYou can sit with the entire family and enjoy some good laughs and emotions, without being embaressed of racy scenes popping up unannounced. This is a rarity. So yes, please use this greatopportunity, watch the showandlogoff, feeling humbled and real.