Life is Easy (LIE) explores the friendship between Jamie-Li (Chye-Ling Huang), a Chinese-Kiwi girl and Curtis (Cole Jenkins), a gay white man, as they navigate issues of gender, sexuality, and race after experiencing a body swap brought to life from their joint Gemini horoscope, drugs, alcohol, and moonlight. The series is written by its stars: Chye-Ling Huang and Cole Jenkins.
Realism and Relatability
Life is Easy uses a body swap to explore important issues in a way that is both realistic and funny. Most body swap comedies navigate away from the raunchier and bloodier aspects (has any other body swap comedy mentioned periods!) of swapping bodies, but Life is Easy aims right for these oft-forgotten areas. This helps the series stay relevant and feel unique from what we’ve come to expect from the genre.
Life is Easy feels like real life, yet at the same time feels like a deeply realized fantasy world where our differences are a main point of discussion, but this discussion, for the most part, feels like one of love and acceptance. Even in moments where difficult issues are discussed, the characters within Life is Easy feel open, honest, and accepting. This series shows us a life where people are more willing to have conversations about topics that are hidden or not respected in our real life. The series showcases the issues we face in real life, and shows how these could be discussed to push towards a better future.
The realism also shows up in the style of conversations found throughout the series. When the first episode began, I instantly loved how much I felt as if I was at this party with the characters and conversations were happening around me -seemingly about everything and nothing. Life is Easy wonderfully captures the messy and honest qualities of actual, real conversations, and the humor found within the moments we least expect.
Everyone Has Their Time to Shine
Life is Easy focuses the most on Jamie-Li and Curtis’s stories and their journeys of discovery, but every character has their personal time to come forward. Jamie-Li’s coworkers, especially Mich (Sarita Das) and Rashmi (Nisha Madhan) become a bigger and more interesting part of the show as we get further along in the season.
Curtis – in the body of Jamie-Li – brings more acceptance and workplace acknowledgment to Mich and Rashmi. This aspect of the show deals heavily with workplace acceptance. Mich is non-binary and as the series progresses, Curtis accepts them more and more and develops an in-and-out of the office friendship.
In other moments throughout the series, parts that could be small and forgotten stand their own ground. Jack Hauschild as Jamie’s pre-body swap tinder date brings a kindness to his hot and dumb character. Seeing him pop back up later in the series brought joy because the part, no matter how small, was well-cast and endearing.
The Body Swap Brings Emotion and Comedy
Life is Easy finds moments of deep emotion in its body swap premise as well as memorable humor. The series deals with issues of gender and sexuality as well as race, especially in relation to Jamie-Li’s Chinese and Kiwi heritage. When Curtis and Jamie-Li swap bodies, they help each other discover their own personal issues in their family and romantic relationships.
At times, the humor seems to take a backseat to the discoveries and dramatic moments, but this works because their own journeys progress, and the self-discovery blends seamlessly with the more comedy-forward scenes.
Life is Easy offers twists and tension, while maintaining a joyful tone that accepts everyone. It is easy to know this show is written, directed, and produced by people who share the identities and struggles of acceptance with the show’s characters. Everything is genuine and this is, unfortunately, a rare thing within media about queer and POC characters.
Conclusion
Cole Jenkins and Chye-Ling Huang‘s writing brings warmth and unique personality to their characters, while highlighting and working to move past stereotypes. Life is Easy stands apart in the comedy landscape because every important issue is handled with respect, while finding comedy that never demeans the people they are highlighting.
Are you interested in a streaming service dedicated to Queer-focused content? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Life is Easy (LIE) released July 19th on the Queer streaming platform Revry, which offers both free and premium accounts. This service is dedicated to providing LGBT+ content in one, convenient place.
Watch Life is Easy (LIE)
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