7 reasons why I love GIRLS
GIRLS is the latest TV series produced by HBO and currently one of my favorite ones. I started watching it after the end of the 5th season of Mad Men and I could have not picked a better show to fill the empty spot left by those drunk creatives. More importantly: I didn’t have to leave New York City because both shows are set in it. GIRLS tells the stories of a group of young women who strive to live a decent and satisfying life in the Big Apple. The main storyteller is Hannah, a wannabe writer who recently moved to NYC to pursue her dreams. Hannah is portrayed by Lena Dunham, who is also the main writer and director of the show.
But let’s go straight to the reasons why I love this show:
1) It is the anti-Sex & The City
Forgive me but I’ve never clicked with Sex & The City. Yes, it’s a good show and I’m not denying it… But it’s not the kind of series that captures my imagination and makes me feel there. GIRLS, instead, looks familiar and closer to me and my world. Maybe because the main characters have my age and we face the same challenges, or perhaps because it does not portray a microcosm built entirely around shoes feticism, fashion obsession, fragile women who pretend they’re bold and toy boys.
2) Dialogues are brilliant
I’m amazed by the quality of the writing in general, but I have to say that the dialogues of this show are mind blowing. There’s always great rhythm and an accurate selection of words. This is not a show that rotates around mysteries or cases to solve, therefore writing (along with a pro vocabulary) is essential to deliver entertainment.
3) It has great sense of humor
Yes, and what I love the most is that it comes from women. Women who are able to laugh at themselves. Women who don’t take themselves too seriously. It’s refreshing!
4) New York City
The City that Never Sleeps is the perfect scenario for the adventures of these young women. It’s the huge monster/mother with whom they confront everyday. Sometimes it’s warm and welcoming, some other times it’s cold and mean. But hey, it’s NYC, and – just like my hometown Napoli – the reasons why you hate it are the reasons why you love it.
5) It’s bold
Sex (weird sex too), unemployment, physical imperfection, artistic failure, family issues, junk food, hard relationships, drugs: everything is addressed fearlessly and shamelessly. I find this to be a characteristic of British series and I was surprised to find it in GIRLS. The casting also proves that.
6) It’s produced by HBO
The HBO stamp is a guarantee of quality. This network gave us The Sopranos, Broadwalk Empire, Six Feet Under, Game of Thrones, The Wire and also Sex & The City. Need I to say more?
7) It’s the TV series of my generation. Or at least of a generation
This is an inside-joke. You’ll understand it if you watch the show :)