F is for Family Final Season (S5) – Series Review

December 8, 2021December 23, 2021 Jennifer Arthur 1 Comment Bill Burr, Debi Derryberry, F is for Family, Haley Reinhart, Justin Long, Laura Dern

One of my favourite animated series, F is for Family, released its final season last month and I definitely have to admit I’m sad to see it go. Created by comedian Bill Burr and produced by Vince Vaughn, F is for Family is largely inspired by Burr’s childhood growing up in the 70s.

It tells the story of his father Frank, the angriest man alive. Very much like his own father, Bill’s grandfather. They represent two generations of veterans scarred by death and war. Most becoming numb to normal society and their own families. After their service, they had to reacclimate to a society which hardly ever paid them their due. Leaving most embittered and emotionally distant.

In fact, one of the major plotlines of the series that’s been culminating to this season is the relationship between the two. How it still affects Frank as an adult and how it shows in his relationship with his own family. F is for Family has always done really well in balancing situational humor with real emotion and that’s what makes it a classic. Even though the scenarios might seem hilariously outlandish at times, they often strike real notes of family dynamics and dysfunction.

The show has an endearing way of taking the childhood of a 70s kid with all its cultural trappings and humor and giving us familiarity with scenarios that feel both nostalgic and current. It even does a solid job of portraying race relations even if there are stereotypes mixed in for humor. After all, it is the 1970s!

The character building and voice acting is solid complete with eccentric townspeople and Bill Burr accurately portraying Frank’s angry outbursts. The soundtrack is guaranteed to make you reminisce and I love the opening title sequence. It takes you through a short story of Frank’s life that accurately sums up the entire show. While Season 5 wrapped things up quite nicely, I still felt like the show had more to give and I’m still mourning its loss. Watch ‘F is for Family Finale’ on Netflix here.