HBO has a new show called How to Make It America (HtMIA). HtMIA is a type of show that expects the viewer to know what the hustle and bustle of busy city life is like. On top of it being nicely informed by the unapologetically fast pace of big city life and New York City, the show has managed to capture adequately the angst and anxiety of modernity and what it means for creatively minded folk to succeed commercially and en masse.
The main reason why I decided to view this show was because of the talented but underrated Bryan Greenberg. Greenberg has the kind of mannerisms and look that I equate with a city connoisseur. He does very well in supporting roles and he seems to have been paying his dues for quite some time. I hope his efforts as a leading actor in this series are recognized as he seems to be a good representation of the creatively talented but commercially uncompensated.
One of the best moments from this show comes from Episode Two when Ben's character is trying to explain what his new denim line will be like and what it will represent. He wants his line to stand for a retro time that captures early hip-hop and punk rock a-la-70's. When Ben's character tries to capture a pop cultural period by way of a pair of jeans, I thought this was a show I had to pay attention to as I tend to think that aesthetics is never really inconsequential. Watch out Entourage! You might just have some competition now.
HtMIT celebrates not only creativity and individuality but also bonds of friendships and long-term social commitments as seen in the close and awfully candid bond connection between Ben and his childhood friend Cam. Cam is aware of his friend's talent and his genuine desire to see him succeed is nothing if not inspiring. Cam's character (played convincingly by Victor Rasuk) reminds me of an old noble medieval knight's mindset housed in the body of a skateboarder dressed in Volcom. I suppose this would be another reason to not be bored by this new series. In sum, I recommend this show. It's 20-odd minutes of modern urban references and aesthetics.
How to Make It in America:
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2 comments:
I wondered how you'd reviewed this as it looks like a Bri type of show. Not that typecasting is always right, mind you. :)
Col. Will keep watching. I liked Rasuk in Bonneville.
This looks good. I've been in the mood to watch something relevant and urban for quite some time.
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