Consider the term “adulting” for a moment; the clumsy, high stakes game of coming into one’s own while simultaneously trying to get one’s shit together. It’s a concept we can chuckle at and a phase that we’ve all either passed through or find ourselves currently stuck in. Adulting is loud, raucous and a bit absurd, but still so meaningful and full of tender moments. Therein lies the thesis of Netflix’s latest original, Tuca & Bertie.
Tuca & Bertie is the vivacious creation of Lisa Hanawalt, who brings her distinct style of animation from Bojack Horseman to the project, and features the voice talents of Tiffany Haddish, Ali Wong, and Steven Yeun (with some fun guest appearances by the likes of Awkwafina, Jane Lynch, Laverne Cox, and Richard E. Grant).
The show centers around best friends Tuca (Haddish), a wild child toucan, and Bertie (Wong), an anxious but lovable songbird. Tuca & Bertie introduces these characters on the transitional note of a major life change: Tuca is moving out and Bertie is moving on… more specifically, her long-term partner is moving in. Tuca & Bertie explores the changes in this relationship as the two characters move down totally separate paths in life… all whilst needing the other.
Tuca & Bertie is Fabulously Female
From the themes of the plot to the team putting it together, Tuca & Bertie is a celebration of the entire female experience, grounded in both the joyful and painful realities. At face value, Tuca & Bertie offers a refreshingly diverse take on female representation. The series showcases queer and straight characters, depicts female characters representing a large array of body types, we encounter teenagers and older women, and there is even a very light, but impactful, reflection on women and sex work.
These elements of body, age, sexuality, etc. are seamlessly woven into the tapestry of the show. These characters move in and out, delivering their wisdom and impact, and it’s just so damn invigorating to see so many examples of womanhood shown in this way. More importantly – it shows the connection that women share. In Tuca & Bertie, and one could even say in reality, there is an experience and a connection that is damn near universally understood by all women. Birds of a feather flock together in Tuca & Bertie and it’s perhaps the most meaningful feminist moment to emerge out of this very rich material.
Of course, the inherently female nature of Tuca & Bertie is not wholly summarized in this profound coven of the show’s connecting characters. Tuca & Bertie tackles the female experience through some truly hilarious body humor.
In short, Tuca & Bertie loves boobs. Boobs on buildings. Boobs on plants. A boob achieves sentience and offers a sardonic commentary on her experience of harassment. The absurdity of the body in Tuca & Bertie just keeps pumping up the laughs, but without losing that very relatable experience. Boobs are as silly as they are sensual and no one understands that better than women. Individual women occupy that juxtaposition and it’s a really brilliant move on the show’s part to illustrate the complex relationship women have with their bodies and how they balance their different desires and expectations through such a jarring, but hilarious take. Not to mention, this ability to laugh and find humor helps to take the sting out of the very serious themes of harassment.
Last but not least, Tuca & Bertie, is a love letter to the deeply felt, inexplicable bonds of female friendship. At its core, that’s what the show is really centered on; how two people can understand each other so completely, and without judgement.
Abrasive Execution, But it Works…
The show is not without its flaws. In fact, one of Tuca & Bertie‘s cardinal sins is in balance and development. This is most prevalent in how the show balances its titular characters, Tuca and Bertie. Of the two, Bertie’s experience steers the show. Her experience is more fleshed out, we know more about her life, and she is fully-formed.
Tuca, at first, seems to serve as a foil and is a very one-dimensional stereotype of the wild friend that “doesn’t have her shit together.” It isn’t until much later in the show that we are given any perspective and insight and, even so, it still pales in comparison to our exploration of Bertie. An odd move for a fledgling, introductory season.
Of course, it’s hard to view Tuca & Bertie without comparing it to its Netflix cousin, Bojack Horseman. The two shows share a common animation style and a world populated by humanoid animals (although the world of Tuca & Bertie does erase some of the confusion by not having humans walking amongst the critters), but the similarities largely stop there. While Bojack Horseman takes a very hard line with its mature concepts and gritty narrative, Tuca & Bertie is decidedly juvenile, in comparison.
The animation is more out there and colorful. The movement more ridiculous and unnatural. The jokes and visuals are more absurd and the entire comedy, despite its adult content, seems to focus in on this very abrasive and childlike aesthetic. You smile, but you’re also gritting your teeth. There is a very clear choice to keep Tuca & Bertie within a more bouncing and bright animation style. It is childlike and I’ll get back to that, further in the review.
Tuca & Bertie & a Trigger Warning
Warning: This portion of the review contain reference to instances of sexual assault.
This Netflix animated comedy about funny friends and “adulting” takes a sudden turn in the last few episodes to reveal that this show that you’ve been binging is actually about how two women are coping with trauma. Tuca, for all of her free-spirited bravado, becomes a metaphor for women’s reproductive health and society’s quick dismissal of the promiscuous woman, even as she is faced with terrifying health issues. Her sexuality is both her coping mechanism and a trait that other used to diminish her.
Though we get precious little time with her development, Tuca is a character steeped in feminine tragedy. Bertie, again as the show’s primary focus, had been portrayed up to a point as scattered, uncertain, and perturbed by a catcalling society as much as the next woman. She’s shy, so she’s unsure of how to manage her feelings. Wrong. Dead wrong.
This shift begins when Bertie takes on the sexual harassment of an employer and steps in as an ally to another woman, in a very clear nod to the current #MeToo movement. But that is far from the most important moment for this character. We learn that Bertie is a survivor of childhood sexual assault and that her confidence (and some of her dreams) were shattered by that trauma. We come to understand that this character has lived her entire life with the shadow of that memory and the first season ends with her confronting her demons head on. It is so raw, so empowering, and so entirely… woman.
A female experience, a common female trauma, that is overcome by the strength of an individual and the support of women around her (and reliable male allies). While this critic will readily admit that some moments of the show’s portrayal of sexuality seem a tad confused (like we’re not sure what moments are empowering and which are a gag), it oddly works. It’s honest.
More Time, Fewer Problems?
My impression, walking away from Tuca & Bertie, is that the show needs more time. Not just as a chance to explore some of the truly high quality elements, but as an opportunity to really unravel a narrative. Tuca & Bertie is trying to accomplish a lot with a very limited amount of time and, therefore, can only do some of those things well or even to completion. This leaves Season 1 feeling a little off balance, but the sincerity and quality of what is there more than makes up for it.
I remain somewhat sceptical of the show’s ability to lean into drama, without letting it drown in the comedy, but hopefully Season 2 can bring things into focus. Overall I highly recommend it and look forward to more Tuca & Bertie
Have you seen Tuca & Bertie? What was your favorite episode?
Tuca & Bertie is available to stream on Netflix worldwide.
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