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Serial is a satirical comedy film from 1980 that focuses on the lives of various residents in suburban Los Angeles. The movie is directed by Bill Persky and features a star-studded cast, including Martin Mull, Tuesday Weld and Jennifer McAllister. The film is a portrayal of the lives of the people living in a suburban community, highlighting both their similarities and differences. It explores the tensions and interactions between different social classes and how their seemingly ordinary lives can become ridiculously complicated.

The movie begins with the introduction of Harvey Holroyd (Martin Mull), an obsessive-compulsive man who prides himself on his ability to maintain a perfect lawn. His neighbor, Melinda (Tuesday Weld), is a bored and lonely housewife who is struggling to find meaning in her mundane suburban life. She finds solace in a young gardener, Joel (Christopher Lee), who works at Harvey's residence.

Elsewhere, a teenage girl named Marlene (Jennifer McAllister) is going through a phase where she enjoys pushing the boundaries of what is socially acceptable. She becomes involved with a group of boys who steal cars for fun, which leads her to be arrested by the police.

As the story progresses, the lives of the characters become increasingly intertwined, leading to absurd and hilarious scenarios. Harvey and Melinda's perfect suburban life is threatened when Melinda becomes entranced with Joel, leading to a confrontation between the two men. Meanwhile, Marlene is bailed out of jail by a wealthy businessman (Tom Smothers) who is attracted to her.

The movie's funny moments are driven by its portrayal of the absurdity of suburban life, including the various stereotypes and social expectations of the time. The film's visual style is also notable, featuring bright and colorful scenes that contrast with the darker themes at play.

One of the film's defining features is its use of television commercials and TV news reports, which are interspersed throughout the movie. They highlight the commercial nature of the culture and society the characters live in, emphasizing the influence of advertising and ratings on their lives.

Serial is a unique and entertaining film that provides a humorous commentary on the codes and conventions of suburban life in the 1980s. Despite being over 40 years old, its commentary on society and satire are still relevant today, making it a must-watch for fans of dark comedies.

Serial is a 1980 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.