LIVING WITH YOURSELF Season 1: You Can Never Have Too Much Rudd

What if there was something you could do to make yourself better, happier… more alive… would you do it? For Miles Elliott (Paul Rudd), despite little information from his co-worker who recommends this mysterious spa, it’s worth the risk. In fact, it’s worth 50,000 dollars.

He’s in the middle of a mid-life slump, but what he doesn’t know about how the newest venture? He’ll be cloned. Even worse – he’s supposed to be killed, with his new, shinier version taking over. Only, this time, due to a malfunction at the “spa” he’s left alive causing quite the predicament. It’s worth noting that Tom Brady has a limited, but funny cameo as another client.

We’re first introduced to him in a diaper, clawing out of a grave – and it’s splendid. Paul Rudd is exceptional, taking on two alternating characters fluidly. Matched with a witty script by creator Timothy Greenberg that never overdoes itself, Living With Yourself Season 1 is a worthy addition to the Netflix repertoire.

Two Different Miles

This science-fiction fair is more of a comedy, but the dramatic moments are where it really finds its unique voice. It’s a quick and tight eight-episode series, directed by Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton. As we’ve seen in previous cloning tales (like Multiplicity) the second version is never quite the same. A similar situation arises here. The newer Rudd begins killing it at work, seems more attentive to their wife, and carries the new veneer of someone discovering life for the first time.

The episodes go back and forth from the point of view of each of the Miles. It’s an intelligent narrative decision because for once one isn’t Jekyll or the other Hyde. There isn’t a bad seed or one you necessarily root for. Instead, there’s depth to these two, and they dive into the difficulties each face with such a life-altering phenomenon. They may be clones, but they are still individuals and there are variations to their personalities, desires and drives. Neither are unlikable, and both are very believable.

While one may have technically only been created days before, he remembers everything like he’s always existed. How would that feel? Is it unfair to cast him aside? After all – it’s not his fault. This includes his wife Kate (Aisling Bea) and the love he has for their shared life. He’s also visiting his sister more, played by Alia Shawkat. Meanwhile, the other Miles still can’t get out of his funk with work or at home, and envy begins to build as he sees the effect his clone has.

There are some hilarious moments as the two interact, fight, and try to work out a system where they can both be active in their combined life. Of course, this is never going to be easy, and complications arise.

There’s A lot To Appreciate In A Small Amount Of Time

Despite the short episodes there are lot ethical, moral and human contemplation worked into this script. It isn’t a matter of just Paul Rudd getting cloned. One of the things I loved the most about this series was the ability to take an original premise and use it as a backdrop for a much deeper look into what makes us miserable, what changes, and how we can possibly reinvent ourselves.

It is hard to watch Paul Rudd and not enjoy yourself. Whether it be his ease for fluctuating between drama and comedy, his physicality or his endlessly and seemingly unending charisma, he’s a star for a reason. This is just another avenue to showcase his talents.

There are definitely some moments throughout the very short 8-episode season where we’re reminded of his talent and gentle chameleon like change. From one Miles to another there are obvious differences, and whenever you’re playing two characters – it’s going to be a challenge. Rudd handles it flawlessly with subtle nuances that aren’t always significant but are there if you’re looking. With their similar memories and quirks, it’s challenging to not like both versions even if they’re looking at one another as rivals. A lot of the dialogue with these two characters is especially well-written making it easy to enjoy double the Rudd.

In the fifth episode, we get a better idea of their wife Kate’s feelings, not long after she finds out the truth. We see things from her perspective, as well as the trajectory of their marriage, which had slowly been losing steam. She wants a family, and Miles seemed like he does too, but somehow things change over time. So, when she meets the new Miles, who has a new level of passion the other doesn’t, things begin to shift. Aisling Bea is also wonderful in the role, with a real semblance of her and Rudd’s life.

Conclusion: Living With Yourself Season 1

This takes all three characters down a road of self-discovery. As they each try to navigate these unusual circumstances, they’re also brought to the brink, understanding what’s important to each of them. While the set up: cloning, is inherently sci-fi, the story is really a basis for relationships and finding satisfaction in life, explored from an interesting offbeat platform. Could there have been more of that element? Perhaps, but the story doesn’t need it. It’s an emotional and heartfelt tale with the occasional but welcomed dose of laughter.

We are our flaws, and we love who we love. Living with Yourself is as much as about the actual character living with another version of himself as much as it is about our own acceptance of the lives we live. It’s an intelligent, insightful first season with Paul Rudd working his ass off.

What did you think? Are you hoping there will be another season? Let us know in the comments below!

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