Tiny Beautiful Things Early Review

Kathryn Hahn just continues to be a hot commodity. Already amassing quite the resume in comedy, she has gotten more chances to show her range as of late, flexing some of her dramatic chops across film and television series. Tiny Beautiful Things, a limited series based on the book of the same name by Cheryl Strayed, is a dramedy about the meaning of life that is sure to hit viewers right in the feels. Much like Bob Odenkirk, there is something about Hahn that allows her to constantly nail a flawed yet relatable protagonist and that remains to be the case here as this story is all her for better or worse. Though this time-spanning tale about overcoming grief in an unconventional way takes some twists and turns that may not bring much new to the table, its emotion still shines through. Within its 8 episodes, each around the 30 minute mark, the series definitely packs a lot in them despite the fact they could have easily gone longer. Ultimately, they never lose focus of the main story of a woman who finds herself again through helping others with their own issues.

Tiny Beautiful Things follows Clare Pierce (Hahn), an aspiring writer whose life spirals after the death of her mother. A rise and fall story, the story takes place over multiple timelines that also included a younger Clare (Sarah Pidgeon) living with her younger brother Lucas (Owen Painter) and single mother Frankie (Merritt Wever). Far removed from their abusive father and Frakie’s abusive husband, the three were a tight-knit unit. Sacrificing everything to support her children and give them a better life, that meant living with less means but they had each other. Also, it was clear that Clare had promise as a writer and that career continued to blossom and it would open doors for her and the rest of her family. However, that potential career was put in jeopardy before it could ever get off the ground as the untimely passing of Frankie hit her and Lucas hard. As a result, Clare had her struggles taking care of her and Lucas while they grieved. Meanwhile, as the season went further back to dive further into that relationship, it only cemented that connection.

After Clare divorced the husband she married at a young age, she soon rekindled her relationship with a young man named Danny and had a daughter with him before they got married. In the present, Clare found herself spiraling once again as she while Danny (Quentin Plair) and their daughter Rae (Tanzyn Crawford) were left to fend for themselves. Now working at a retirement home, her past and present collided, bringing up some old scars. Kicked out of her home, Clare essentially hit rock bottom. Wanting to get back in with her family, her saving grace looked to be an advice column. Who better to help people than someone who’s own life is falling apart? Reluctantly accepting an offer to take it over, she responded to letters by offering her advice under the anonymous pen name of Sugar, Clair pulled from her past experience to help others and their issues. Responding to these letters allowed her to reconnect to her past as a means to come to terms with the passing of her mother and move forward. This definitely made for an emotional journey.

Over the course of the series, the timelines began to meld together while still maintaining a sense of flow. That being said, it is a lot to deal with but the series makes it work. As Clare came to terms with her past, she became better as a person in the present. Rediscovering her passion for writing as Sugar, she was making a difference. As much as the story was about Clare repairing her relationship with  her past, there was also her relationships in the present with Danny and Rae. Reconnecting with her own mother, it had her thinking about how to raise her own teen daughter. Coming with the usual pitfalls for both mother and daughter, in the end, Rae was all that mattered to Clare and Danny. Drifting apart over the years, they tried to make it work for her and be there for Rae. However, their issues with their marriage were perhaps too much to overcome. Eventually, everything came full circle for Clare as she finally got her closure in what was a powerful and earned moment though the story as a whole was not as well-rounded as it could have been.

The best part of Tiny Beautiful Things, as mentioned, was Hahn’s stellar performance as Clare. She was compelling to watch as she brings a flawed yet relatable humanity that works because of her likability. Clare may be rough around the edges but she means well and was easy to root for. Putting her comedic timing to work at times along with her dramatic chops, she was an absolute force as someone trying to hold it all together. Hahn’s chemistry with Plair as the older Danny was a boost to their scenes where they attempted to repair their relationship and still be parents to Crawford’s Rae who was solid as the teen. The arc of the family as a whole besides Hahn was another highlight. Another one was Pidgeon as the younger Clare whose youthful energy and vulnerability did a nice job at setting the tone for what was to come as a promising young writer was snuffed out by tragedy.

At the end of the day, Tiny Beautiful Things is a heartwarming dramedy that may tread some familiar ground but its uplifting story is lifted by the absolute force that is Kathryn Hahn.

*still courtesy of Hulu

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.