Review: Schumer's 'Life & Beth' Quirky, Sad, and Dry

Comedian Amy Schumer conceived, executive produced, co-wrote, and stars in the new 10-part dramedy series "Life & Beth." Each 30-minute episode chronicles Beth (Schumer's real middle name) and her move from Manhattan, where she's a successful, partnered wine distributor, back to her hometown in Long Island.

At NYC's Kerig Cellars, "wine is fine," as the motto notes, but folks confuse the company with Keurig Coffee, and Beth is frustrated, too. She struggles to explore past trauma – notably a boating accident that caused a leg injury – as she considers her potential approaching age 40.

Her dad (Michael Rapaport) is drunk and distant, and her mom (Laura Benanti) is sleeping around (several story facts like this one are likely pulled from Schumer's real-life adventures). Her sister Annie (Susannah Flood) is similarly troubled and disconnected, as Beth's high school friends – notably Yamaneika Saunders as Kiana – rally around their girl and her midlife crisis.

Cameo performances are fun, including Talking Heads' David Byrne as a doctor who advises her to "chew more and drink less," and whom Beth tells that her pre-existing condition is being a woman. Also featured are comedian friends Dave Attell as a rabbi, Jon Glaser as an aggressive wine taster, Gary Gulman as Shlomo, and Hank Azaria as an event director. Michael Cera plays Farmer John, a character on the spectrum (not unlike how Schumer describes her real-life husband). The frequent flashbacks also feature excellent work by Violet Young as teenaged Beth. The jazzy interstitials are fun, but fade in and out among more modern music.

There are a few laugh-out-loud moments, like the local drug store chain named "Big PharMa," a gym named "Muscle Confusion," and a never-ending onslaught of Amazon boxes at the front door. The reunited childhood friends would usually rather shop at Nordstrom Rack than drink. Yet, there's a fine line between flawed characters and unlikeable people, and this series doesn't always land on the best side. Beth Jones is ostensibly an everywoman, but her stumbly, fumbly delivery (akin to Ellen DeGeneres movie roles), plus a constant stream of filler words such as "so" and "like," gets old fast so sometimes it's hard to root for the characters despite some lovely locations and meaningful interactions. There's scar tissue aplenty in this quirky – a little sad but too dry – attempt to contemplate meaningful life choices.

"Life & Beth" premieres March 18 on Hulu.