It’s a series that came cautiously to Netflix, but which has succeeded in no small way thanks to word of mouth: Old Fashioned Spy is the latest creation from Michael Schur, who owes us the excellent The Office, Parks and Rec and Brooklyn Nine. – Nine. In this case, he meets Ted Danson, one of his favorite actors.
The 76-year-old actor, who made us laugh as much as we cried in The Good Place (still from the same creator), slips into the skin of Charles, an elderly man who is hired by a private detective to break into a nursing home and investigate the theft of jewelry. With a 3.8 out of 5 rating on AlloCiné and a weekly Top 10 spot, Old-school Spy has found its audience in France.
But what viewers may not know is that this beloved series is based on a true story!
A spy (not) for life
Michael Schur is adapting here The story of Sergio ChamA Chilean retiree hired by a private detective to infiltrate a nursing home where one of his clients suspects the caregivers are mistreating the elderly. The man, who was 83 at the time, chronicled his incredible adventure in the 2020 Oscar-nominated documentary El agente topo.
If the show’s producers have taken some creative liberties, the documentary and Netflix series treat aging with great delicacy and kindness. Charles’ character is actually a lonely widower who is pushed by his daughter to find something to do to keep him occupied.
At the nursing home, Charles befriends many of the residents, especially Gladys (Susan Rutan), who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, just like his late wife. A character who really existed and who made a special mention of the real Sergio because the latter was a kleptomaniac… who forgot his villainy!
After a rigorous investigation that allowed him to meet some wonderful people, Sergio finally escaped being mistreated in a nursing home and came out having fulfilled his duty.
But his story quickly spread across the country. If Sergio did not pursue a career as a spy, this spotlight allowed him to play a small role in a movie the following year. As for Charles, he also has a happy ending, and this experience will help him open up to others and forget a little about his loneliness…
Old-School Spy is available on Netflix.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
