In the world of television, everyone is attractive, desirable, and owns a beautiful apartment in a glamorous metropolitan city. But Hannah (Lena Dunham) is thirteen pounds overweight, dating the wrong guy, and out of a job.
Girls stars an ensemble of four young women struggling to survive in New York City. It is written, directed and stars the almost unknown Lena Dunham and includes Judd Apatow as producer. So far the show has earned rave reviews from TV critics everywhere, praised for its cheeky script and authentic characters.
Unlike most shows about New York, it is gritty and real in nature. There are no glitzy shots of skyscrapers or shopping avenues. Hannah and her friends are imperfect in a way that we can all relate to. They are young adults who aren’t quite sure of themselves but are looking for answers. They are childish, irresponsible, and self-centered – flaws that exist in almost everyone.
In one scene, Hannah is in a job interview, bantering with her potential boss. Everything seems to be going well until Hannah makes a joke about date rape. Long pause. He stops smiling. Then he tells her she might not be right for the job and suggests she call back in eight months.
This is a moment of writing genius. It perfectly represents the very core message of what Girls intends to say: everyone pretends to be someone they’re not. Hannah attempts to act like an adult, but her immaturity is apparent. In their mid-20s, the Girls are still young and clueless. Marnie doesn’t have the courage to end her suffocating long-term relationship. Shoshanna fakes maturity and wisdom, but is innocent at heart. Jessa is flighty and reckless. Everyone is playing a role, and their façade is not as impenetrable as it seems.
Every woman can identify with that vulnerable period between their teenage years and adulthood. Yet despite all their weaknesses, each of the Girls characters remains likable and familiar as a close friend. That’s what makes Girls a welcomed new arrival to the spring TV season.
