Jason Bateman recently shared his surprising reaction to a harsh early review of the Netflix series Ozark. The actor, who played the lead role of Marty Byrde, said a critic’s creative insult about his performance made him laugh out loud.
In a new interview, Bateman looked back on the show’s start and talked about how he deals with feedback. He revealed he reads all reviews of his work but focuses on keeping his own internal peace. The review in question was written by Mike Hale for The New York Times in 2017. It critiqued Bateman’s performance in the Ozark pilot, but the actor’s reaction was not what many would expect.
What the Critic Said About Bateman’s Performance
The specific review that stuck with Bateman was published when Ozark first launched. Critic Mike Hale did not hold back in his assessment of Bateman’s character, Marty Byrde.
The review stated that Bateman played the role “with the aggressive blandness of an airline gate agent”. It went further, suggesting that Bateman was not able to make a “compelling character” from the role. Instead, the review heavily praised his co-star, Laura Linney, who played Wendy Byrde. Hale wrote that Linney was the “real saving grace of the show” and even joked that if there was a second season, “maybe she can take over the business”.
Bateman recalled the critic’s words in his interview: “Mike Hale basically said I was so boring to watch, it reminded him of the person that he buys a ticket from in the airport. I laughed my a** off. I appreciate those that get creative with it.”
Bateman’s Philosophy on Handling Criticism
Jason Bateman explained that he actively seeks out reviews for his projects. He describes himself as a “people pleaser” who cares about public and critical opinion because he makes his work for public consumption.
However, he balances this with a strong focus on his own mental state. He uses a specific phrase to describe his goal for internal peace.
“What’s most important is that the weather inside is 72 and breezy,” Bateman said. “It takes a lot of work to stay happy, to stay clear, and to be proud of yourself. You can try to drink through it, but you’re sober in the morning and you got to live in those hours too.”
This approach allowed him to see the humor in the harsh New York Times review rather than take offense. He appreciated the creativity of the insult, even though it was directed at his work.
How Ozark and Bateman’s Performance Were Ultimately Received
Despite that one negative review, Ozark became a major critical and award-winning success for Netflix. The show’s reception improved significantly after its first season.
- Season 1 (2017): Received mixed-to-positive reviews, with a 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Season 3 (2020): Marked the show’s high point with critics, earning a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Awards Success: Over its four-season run, Ozark received 45 Emmy Award nominations. Jason Bateman was nominated four times for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He won an Emmy in 2019 for Outstanding Directing for a episode in Season 2. Laura Linney and Julia Garner also won multiple awards for their performances.
The show, which ran from July 2017 to April 2022, followed financial planner Marty Byrde as he moved his family to the Missouri Ozarks to launder money for a Mexican drug cartel. It was created by Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams.
Fan Reactions to Bateman’s Comments
When Bateman’s interview was shared on social media, many fans disagreed with the old critic’s take. They defended his performance, arguing that his calm and understated style was perfect for the character of Marty Byrde.
One fan commented, “He’s perfectly understated in a fascinating way”. Another noted, “That was what I liked about his character he had to be cool calm and collected otherwise he’d get wacked or pinched”. Others pointed out that the character’s tactical and measured personality was a deliberate choice, with one fan saying, “I thought it was compelling”.
The contrast between the early criticism and the show’s later acclaim highlights how a performance or series can evolve in the public eye. Bateman’s current projects include the Netflix miniseries Black Rabbit and the voice role in Zootopia 2.
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