Dan Levy’s ‘Big Mistakes’ Is a Deadeye Screwball Comedy With Collateral Damage

Tony Sokol

Uncomfortable comedy exists to find laughter in the least likely places. This is not true for “Big Mistakes.” It becomes apparent in the opening shot when the camera first intrudes on the hospital room where mayoral-candidate Linda Morelli (Laurie Metcalf) is screaming at her dying mother while cell phones capture a series of last moments. But not at the right moment.  A knockoff treasured heirloom may be buried in New Jersey, and it could be worth a fortune. “Schitt’s Creek” creator Dan Levy, and Rachel Sennott, creator of “I Love LA,” aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty.

Levy plays Rev. Nicky Morello, a local pastor who keeps his boyfriend under social wraps for obtuse political reasons. To assist with Nicky’s grandmother’s death, his distant sister moves in.  Morgan (Taylor Ortega) is an elementary school teacher who is quick to question and too eager for easy answers. The two siblings are polar opposites, as expected. In spite, or because of, Nicky’s pious intervention, Morgan steals a diamond necklace from a gift shop display case for their dying “nonna,” in the rudest way possible. The store clerk, Yusuf (Boran Kuzum), can’t help but notice the blatant robbery, and brings the amateur thieves to his not-so-amateur boss, Ivan (Mark Ivanir). The pastor and the schoolteacher are given burner phones and instructed to wait for instructions. Each call comes with transportation to a crime neither sibling knows their part in. 

The premise is old, and well-worn over many genres. Civilians stumble on to criminals by mistake, are taken under their wing, usually in a choke hold, and get dumped on the street to score or die. Nicky and Morgan are different, and not just because they dig up the wrong grave before realizing a priceless necklace is buried in the adjoining site. They have skin in the game. Not by choice, but because of racial profiling. The pair represent the universal symbol for white facial recognition. Nicky and Morgan are a code who can walk through doors their criminal bosses cannot open. This is the first sign “Big Mistakes” is more than just a standard cringe comedy take on mob manipulation.

The criminals distinguish themselves slowly. At first, they argue over the hatred they feel for having to work with Russian or Turks, respectively. Everyone agrees to hate Nicky and Morgan. All the differing ethnic factions work for Italian organized crime. While most of the logic is implausible, and the logic improbable. It takes a while to learn why the necklace is displayed in full view, but the conclusion is reasonable. Kuzum’s Yusuf maintains as little contact as necessary as their captor, but never hides his initial disgust. He ultimately warms to the privileged Americans, even displaying a reluctant charm so disarming, it might be a weapon. Ivanir’s Ivan grows to appreciate values even Nicky and Morgan are unable to see. The two distant siblings may have to dig up the grave which begins the life of crime, but soon graduate to bagmen, drug fronts, real estate frauds, cattle auctions hagglers. By the time they think they’re getting out, they are snorting coke with the nicest of Brazilian cartel leaders.

Before settling into teaching, Morgan ran away to pursue acting, her chance to take on roles comes up as the assignments get incrementally more exciting. Nicky’s repression and fear push against Morgan’s freedom, and disappointment over life choices. They bond as family over their parents and their own childhood fights. Their sister Natalie, is fleshed out, but utilitarian. After finding his ground, Levy finds the core of the character, and the rhythm to counter Ortega, especially when the characters are at cross purposes. Linda, already under the weight of owning and running the hardware store, is in the throes of her campaign, and hastily arranging the burial of her mother. Linda doesn’t throw guilt. She weaponizes passive aggression and discharges it like lethal throwing knives. As the mayoral race heats up and Lucy’s behavior becomes overbearing, Metcalf brings equal measures of comedy, drama, and exasperation to the chains of narcissism.  

Levy’s “Big Mistakes” begins in chaos and retains the feeling of near catastrophe throughout its run. Accidents never happen for a reason, and in a race against criminal collusion and immersion runs against increasingly unexpected turns. While not as insane as HBO’s “The Chair Company,” this caper is just as wacked out a binge.

“Big Mistakes” begins streaming April 9 on Netflix.