Everyone has an opinion on Lena Dunham. At the root of many opinions is astonishment that a young woman had the gall to make a TV series, in which the characters (also young women) are very flawed and not always likable. I enjoyed Dunham's 2010 film "Tiny Furniture" and found the first season of her TV series, "Girls", to be frustrating, uncomfortable and very well done.
Dunham (who wrote and directed most episodes and serves as co-executive producer with Judd Apatow) stars as Hannah Horvath, a privileged 24-year-old wannabe writer who's been living in New York City on her parents' dime. When they cut her off financially, she's left with few marketable skills, a whopping sense of privilege and a friend-with-benefits who doesn't return text messages. Meanwhile, Hannah's best friend and roommate Marnie (Allison Williams) has a perfect job and boyfriend - neither of which she wants. Rounding out the ensemble is Hannah's globe trotting pal Jessa (Jemima Kirke) and Jessa's naive cousin Shoshanna (Zosia Mamet), who just wants her life to parallel "Sex and the City"...but has to lose her virginity first.
Critics have panned Dunham for her bland perspective, her characters' copious screwups, her unrealistic portrayal of post-college life. In doing so, they give Dunham far too much power, along with the responsibility of speaking for an entire generation - one she never assumed in the first place. No one expected "Mad Men" showrunner Matthew Weiner to speak for all middle-aged men in the 1960's, or "Dallas" creator David Jacobs to be the voice of all large Southern families. Also Don Draper and J.R. Ewing are extremely flawed individuals, always interesting but almost never relatable. Why should Dunham's Hannah and her friends be any different?
Dunham doesn't set out to tell every young woman's story - just Hannah's. And she does a fine job. Though her grip on certain episodes is a bit too tight, Dunham spins a tight, intimate tale with excellent cinematography and thoughtful dialogue. One fight between Hannah and Marnie is so realistic, I was immediately transported back to my early twenties, and the strikingly similar arguments that transpired.
As the pulled-together Marnie, Williams is articulate and perfectly composed - until she's not. Kirke and Mamet bring equal parts comic relief and pathos: Jessa's foray into nannying is darkly hilarious, and Mamet makes even a drug trip seem sweet. Guest stars such as James Le Gros, Peter Scolari, Chris O'Dowd and the always-underrated Kathryn Hahn add power to the pack. Hahn shines as a harried mom, gives her employee Jessa a much-needed reality check in one of the season's most poignant scenes.
"Girls"' second season premieres January 13, and it will be interesting to see the direction it takes. Will there be a lighter approach, as the trailer suggests, or will the characters keep on stumbling to stability? I survived my twenties (thank goodness), under very different circumstances than the women of "Girls" - but like them, I had explosive relationships, far-from-dream jobs and conflicts with those I loved most. In season one of this darkly funny series, Dunham told a story that was personal to her, but also touched me.
Blu-Ray includes DVD digital copy, plus deleted and extended scenes, table reads, gag reels, cast auditions and 5 audio commentaries with cast and crew.
Series: 4 Yaps Extras: 4 Yaps
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJt2O2VRj0s&w=541&h=315]