The Bear, an FX on Hulu original series that debuted on June 23, 2022, has already garnered much attention. The show follows the trials and tribulations of a James Beard Award-winning young chef named Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, who is portrayed by Jeremy Allen White (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Shameless). He returns to his hometown of Chicago to take over a restaurant that belongs to his late brother called The Original Beef of Chicagoland.
Though it is difficult to imagine anything more delicious than a classic Chicago beef sandwich, Berzatto spends the first season of The Bear attempting to modernize the struggling restaurant due to his background in fine dining. This attempted modernization, coupled with the chef’s rather callous style of kitchen management (which is at times reminiscent of the world’s most famous callous chef, Gordon Ramsey), leads to various issues for the restaurant and its staff. Despite the character’s nasty demeanor, forged in the grease fires of world-class kitchens, audiences everywhere were able to fall in love with Carmy. They found themselves, despite the various idiosyncrasies and shortcomings of its staff, rooting for the success of The Original Beef of Chicagoland.
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Here’s why Carmen Berzatto might be the best character that Jeremy Allen White has ever played.
Carmen Berzatto Responds to Family Tragedy
The Bear opens on a tragic note for Jeremy Allen White’s Carmen Berzatto. He is forced to return home to Chicago following the suicide of his brother Michael, a character who is portrayed by Jon Bernthal (The Punisher, The Walking Dead). Throughout the season, when White’s Berzatto can tear himself away from the myriad problems that plague his newly acquired restaurant, he explores the struggles with addiction and depression that ultimately took his brother’s life. He also explores the complicated sibling relationship that he had had with Micheal prior to his suicide.
The tragedy of Carmen’s brother taking his own life, which undergirds the plot of The Bear, adds an interesting layer to Jeremy Allen White’s Character. In the second episode of the series, “Hands,” it is revealed that Micheal did not initially allow Carmy to work in the restaurant but left it to him in his will. As Carmy attempts to revitalize The Original Beef of Chicago, in The Bear season one and any potential future seasons, this fact will always be in the back of his mind, and it will continue to shape the character and his burgeoning restaurant.
Carmen Berzatto Passes Along His Past Trauma
As is often the case in the world of fine dining, Jeremy Allen White’s Carmen Berzatto was the victim of intense verbal abuse during his rise through the culinary ranks. As such, it should come as no surprise when his character unloads these past traumas on the harried crew of The Original Beef of Chicagoland. This results in a lot of friction. Employees leave left and right, and those who stay seem primed to turn their culinary tools on Jeremy Allen’s White character at any moment.
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Throughout The Bear, Carmen is constantly attempting to inspire his kitchen mates. However, it is obvious that his verbally abusive management style is not the best way of going about that. Still, the character’s foul-mouthed rants make for excellent television, and Jeremy Allen White excellently portrays a damaged former chef’s apprentice.
Carmy Berzatto’s Passion for Cooking
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At the end of the day, Jeremy Allen White’s Carmy Berzatto simply loves to cook. Berzatto’s passion sets this character apart from some of White’s other performances, like his Shameless character Phillip “Lip” Gallagher, who struggles throughout the series to find any motivation whatsoever. Through all Carmy’s struggles in revitalizing the failing The Original Beef of Chicagoland, he never loses sight of his true passion, which is to deliver delicious food to the masses.
It’s essential for any character to have motivation. However, it makes for even more enticing drama when a character’s goals are not in lockstep with their reality. Attempting to revamp a longstanding Chicago staple with a menu reminiscent of the fancy pants restaurants that Jeremy Allen White’s Carmy Berzatto used to work is a seemingly impossible task. For that reason, the character’s own motivations result in the bulk of the series’ issues, which is a recipe for endless scintillating drama.
Jeremy Allen White is an undeniably talented actor, and the role of Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto is the perfect fit for his intense yet lovable demeanor. Though the show was well-received, with particular praise heaped upon the talented cast, White included, it is unclear whether The Bear will be returning for another season. Nevertheless, audiences are better off for having seen Jeremy Allen White’s pitch-perfect performance in the series.
