Modern Family: Series Review

In the style of Robert Canning (IGN.com)

Modern Family: Series Review

What makes this mockumentary series so lovable?

by Dominique Barbagallo March 12, 2014

          Modern Family really does prove to be an ultimate family comedy. Truly an ensemble production, each character is magnificently encapsulated by each actor whom plays them. So brilliant is the cast that each character comes to life and each occurrence, emotion, and hysteria is relate-able and felt by the audience. The show does not merely revolve around one couple or one family, with the extended family coming in and out of the plot, but there are three entirely developed families here. No matter the hysteria and chaos which ensues the three families each week, each episode ends happily and/or resolved; and it doesn’t make you sick or feel that it is too sappy, or too mushy. In fact, this hysterical extended family warms your heart and makes you feel at home.

          By far my favorite character is Phil Dunphy (played by Ty Burrell). A goofy, easy-going, and caring father, Phil tries to come off as “the cool dad” and “the ultimate manly man” while ultimately he comes off as a big clumsy and sometimes oblivious man-child. Looking at one of the other families is my other favorite (and hilariously gay) character, Cameron Tucker (played by Eric Stonestreet). He and his partner Mitchell are quite the duo. Yet Cameron all by himself is a wild ride full of passion, talent, and sass. Each character would not be complete without the other. Each beautifully written quip and comment and banter is between characters, and thus much of the laughter could not take place without each character interacting with another—not to mention, the more back-story and development of the characters that you know, the more it is all funny. 

          Essentially, get to know the family, because they are one enormously funny, chaotic, and heart-warming ride. And even if you don’t know the family all too well just yet, you could jump into a random episode and be able to quickly figure out what is going on, relate to it, and laugh; even if some of the long-running jokes are included in the episode. Modern Family showcases everyone’s relate-able family moments and complexities and lets you laugh at them, and be touched by them. To put it simply, Modern Family is the best family comedy series on current television.