In a delightful departure from conventional television, BBC Two's The Paper Review delivers a masterclass in finding profound humour in the profoundly mundane. Starring the incomparable Tim Key and Domhnall Gleeson, this office-based spinoff transforms the soul-crushing monotony of paperwork into a surreal and side-splitting comedy experience.
The premise is deceptively simple: two low-level office lackeys, known only as Man (Key) and Boss (Gleeson), are tasked with reviewing a mountain of documents. Their confined world, a stark and beige meeting room, becomes the stage for an escalating battle of wills, petty power struggles, and glorious absurdity.
A Show Built On Stellar Performances
The magic of The Paper Review lies entirely in the dynamic between its two leads. Tim Key is perfection as the slouching, insolent, and oddly philosophical Man, a role he honed in the original stage play. His deadpan delivery and barely concealed contempt are a constant source of laughter.
Opposite him, Domhnall Gleeson is a revelation. Shedding any leading-man prestige, he fully embraces the pathetic, micro-managing authority of the Boss. His performance is a brilliant study in fragile ego and the desperate need to be seen as competent, making his character both hilarious and strangely pitiable.
More Than Just Paperwork
While the setting is minimal, the themes are vast. The show expertly skewers modern office culture, the futility of certain corporate tasks, and the human need to find meaning—or at least distraction—in the most meaningless of jobs. It’s a poignant, if extremely funny, look at the quiet desperation of the 9-to-5 grind.
The script is razor-sharp, finding wit in stationery, drama in page-turning, and existential crisis in the act of stamping a document. It’s a testament to the writing and performances that a 30-minute episode confined to a single room feels both gripping and endlessly inventive.
Verdict: A Unique Comedic Gem
The Paper Review is not just a comedy; it's a piece of observational art. It requires an appreciation for slow burns, dry wit, and cringe-inducing social awkwardness. For those who relish intelligent, character-driven humour in the vein of The Office or Peep Show, this is essential viewing. A bizarre, brilliant, and utterly original triumph.
