A Sweet Heist Turns Sour in Amazon’s “The Sticky”
“The Sticky,” Amazon’s latest series, promises a wild ride through the world of maple syrup heists, laced with quirky characters and small-town secrets. While gripping in its premise, the series ultimately falls flat, leaving viewers with a sense of unfulfilled potential.
The narrative centers on Ruth Landry (played brilliantly by Margo Martindale), a tough-as-nails maple syrup farmer battling to save her land from Leonard Gauthier (Guy Nadon), the scheming head of the provincial sugar governing body. Adding to her woes is Remy Bouchard (Guillaume Cyr), the hapless security guard at the maple syrup reserve, who comes up with a risky plan to rob the facility, enlisting the help of a washed-up mobster named Mike (Chris Diamantopoulos).
On paper, it’s a recipe for a darkly comedic heist thriller. Martindale shines as the resilient Ruth, bringing gravitas and humor to the role with her trademark gruff charm. Cyr imbues Remy with a charming blend of naivete and desperation, creating a character that is both endearing and frustratingly incompetent. However, the series struggles to ever fully develop its intriguing premise.
“The Sticky” jumps between plot points with a disconcerting lack of focus, never fully committing to either its comedic or dramatic elements. One moment we’re treated to slapstick humor involving Mike’s ill-fated attempts to blend into Quebec life, the next we’re plunged into a tense standoff with Teddy (Gita Miller), a local detective investigating the growing list of connected crimes.
The story feels rushed, cramming too much into six half-hour episodes. As characters weave in and out of the narrative, their motivations often remain murky, leaving viewers feeling detached and unconvinced.
Perhaps a more extended format would have allowed the creators to develop their characters and flesh out the story more fully. The world of the Quebec maple syrup industry, ripe with potential intrigue, feels unexplored. While the series subtly implies a darker underbelly of corruption and greed surrounding this iconic Canadian commodity, it never fully delves into these themes.
Ultimately, “The Sticky” feels like a tasty treat with a disappointing aftertaste. While it boasts strong performances and a unique premise, its inconsistent pacing, underdeveloped characters, and failure to fully embrace its comedic or dramatic potential leave the viewer wanting more.
What aspects of “The Sticky” did the critic find most appealing?
## Interview with “The Sticky” Critic
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Joining us today is Alex Reed, a television critic who recently reviewed Amazon’s new series “The Sticky.” Alex Reed, thanks for being here.
**Alex Reed:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** “The Sticky” is based on the real-life “Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist,” a truly wild story. Did you find the show lived up to the hype?
**Alex Reed:** It definitely had the potential. The premise is fantastic – a quirky, small-town drama with a heisty twist, centered around something as unique as maple syrup. [1](https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/the-sticky-great-canadian-maple-syrup-heist-series-amazon-premiere-date-1236171312/) pointed out it’s inspired by real events from 2012, which made the whole thing even more interesting.
**Host:** So there’s a lot to like on paper. What kept it from hitting the mark for you?
**Alex Reed:** I thought the performances were strong, particularly Margo Martindale as Ruth Landry. She brought a real grit and determination to the role. But the plot itself felt a bit convoluted and ultimately didn’t deliver the satisfying payoff I was hoping for.
**Host:** That’s interesting. Did you find the characters engaging?
**Alex Reed:** The characters themselves were certainly quirky, which added to the charm, but their motivations weren’t always clear, and some of the plotlines felt a bit underdeveloped.
**Host:** That’s a really insightful take. For viewers thinking about checking out “The Sticky,” would you recommend it?
**Alex Reed:** It’s worth a watch if you’re interested in the premise and enjoy quirky characters. However, be prepared for a slightly uneven ride. Maybe temper your expectations, and you might find yourself enjoying it.
**Host:** Great advice! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Alex Reed.
