Mo Review: Mo Amer and Ramy Youssef's series throwing spotlight on undocumented refugees, is an endearing watch

The series is a semi-autobiographical portrait of ace comedian Mo Amer, and revolves around a Palestinian American living in Houston, Texas, who is awaiting the US citizenship and the constant battle he undergoes in the country because of his immigrant status,

A still from Mo

Mo

Story: Netflix's Mo revolves around a Palestinian American living in Houston, Texas, who is awaiting the US citizenship and the constant battle he undergoes in the country just because of his immigrant status, which includes juggling multiple jobs and living in the constant fear of getting deported.

Review: 30-something Mo Najjar (Mohammed Amer) is a Palestinian American, who grew up in Kuwait and fled the country with his family during the Gulf war in 1990-1991. Since then, they have been living undocumented in Houston, Texas. Though it's been 22 years now, they are still awaiting their asylum status case to be heard so that they can live a normal life. The series documents the many trials and tribulations of Palestinian refugees straddling mixed identities, languages and culture.

The show created by Mo and fellow comedian Ramy Youssef, provides a peek into the life of a person, who is not really allowed to work in the US and is constantly under the threat of deportation for making even a single wrong move. Mo's support system comprises his doting mother Yusura (Farah Bsieso), brother Sameer (Omar Elba), Mexican girlfriend Maria (Teresa Ruiz) and friend Nick (Tobe Nwigwe).

When Mo is fired by his boss at the cell phone company because of his undocumented status, he goes back to selling knockoff designer goods from the trunk of his car. Mo is a good worker and has the gift of gab, but cannot hold on to any job due to his immigration status. However, Mo doesn't want to tell his mother about losing his job and wants to support his family in some way or the other and tries many hustles.

Meanwhile, his cat-loving brother is also fired from his job at an eatery when he tries to buy Halal meat to cater to customers from his community. Despite all the troubles, the family is resilient and they know that their lives have to move on. The point is affirmed when Mo's mother tells him that they are Palestinians. They had Iraqis, Kuwaitis and Americans knocking on every door of their house and that they had learnt to move on. When Mo's mother says, "That's what we do, us Palestinians, we carry on," it brings a tear to the eye.

We get to see Mo's many challenges as an immigrant when he refuses to get admitted to a hospital when he gets grazed at a shootout at a departmental store, as he does not have health insurance. When they are finally called at the Texan courthouse for the hearing on the asylum status, Mo has a sweaty meltdown. He has just broken up with his girlfriend and seems to be in disbelief about his changing status as an immigrant. The show throws spotlight on the plight of immigrants who live in constant fear of deportation and cannot live a normal life.

Mo is an endearing character, who is constantly plagued by nightmares and stress. He tries to steer clear of trouble, but ends up landing in one trouble after another. However, he tries to get away through every situation by cracking jokes though he is a bundle of nerves inside. Even when he gets into major trouble, like his brush-off with local gangster Dante or his accidental joyride that goes horribly wrong, Mo remains hopeful.

He is constantly mistaken for being Spanish and some even assume that Palestine and Pakistan are the same places. There are many endearing moments where he tries to defend his culture, despite considering himself as a man without a country. He always carries olive oil with him, argues about Hummus at a grocery store, attends an azza with family and even pulls off an Arabic wedding.

Mo Amer has pulled off an excellent performance as the affable and likable Mo. His chemistry with his garage-owning girlfriend Maria, seems to be effortlessly natural. Though the plot revolves around Mo, you end up liking all the supporting cast as well, who help each other stay grounded and provide a shoulder to lean on. The show is warm, heartbreaking, distressing, funny, all rolled into one. It not only makes you laugh (though it could be more funnier) but also makes you empathize with every refugee living the life akin to Mo and his family. The shows also provides the much-required representation of Palestinian Americans on digital space.

Verdict: This dramedy provides a cross-cultural perspective of refugees in the US, while managing to provide us with laughs. Go for it!

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