'Government Cheese' Review: A Quirky, Confusing Dive into Redemption

Government Cheese starring David Oyelowo and Simone Missick is the latest series from AppleTV+ which is enjoying success with titles like The Studio and Severance. So needless to say I was excited to dive into this new series with two actors I consider to be heavy hitters. “A newly released ex-convict, Hampton Chambers, struggles to leave his criminal past behind and reconnect with his family, all while grappling with frequent, inexplicable moments of divine intervention,” per the logline for the series. 

For those unaware, a little history lesson on the term “government cheese” which refers to back in the 1980s when the United States government had an abundance of processed cheese and distributed it as a part of the welfare program. Participants of the welfare program started using the term to refer to the government and getting money, not just actual cheese. That does not have too much to do with the series but I felt a little backstory would put things in perspective. 

The series from the first episode goes into overdrive trying to stand out and be different than any other series on but the problem with that is the viewer becomes lost and confused. Are we watching a drama, comedy, fantasy or period piece? It is a quirky and different series, I give the writers credit there. The shifts in the writing are erratic, and while I can appreciate the creativity from the writers, it ultimately takes away from the show's ability to establish a cohesive story.

In one scene in the pilot episode, I could not tell if the main character Hampton was dreaming, having a nervous breakdown or if the things happening to him in jail were real. The scene left me feeling unsure of how to comprehend what was happening. The ambiguity in the writing leaves a lot of room for confusion, and not in a way positive way, if possible at all.

Where the writing and the plot lacks, the acting makes up for it. Oyelowo and Missick do a wonderful job with the material that they are given. This is a very different role for Missick that we are used to seeing. Her last role was the lead on the series All Rise where she played a Judge in Los Angeles. The support cast and big name guest stars also shine. Unfortunately, even with the noteworthy performances, I was ultimately unimpressed. 

All 10 episodes of Government Cheese drop on AppleTV+ on April 16.