IAAL

(2012-04-26 23:42:50)

I was dubious at first but it's growing on me

It took me a while to warm up to this show. This may be, in part,because my expectations were set very wrongly by some of the publicityI'd heard; I was expecting a comical romp poking fun at new-agespiritual therapy. It's not that. There's a taste of that, but this isreally about relationships, and it's really getting interesting. Thefirst couple of episodes, I'm now coming to understand, wereexposition, just setting up the situation. But now we're starting tosee a lot more development of the Amy/Levi, Amy/Mom, and, probably mostimportantly, Amy/Tyler relationships, and they're all quite nuanced andcredible. Laura Dern is great, but it's really an ensemble cast, andMike White, Luke Wilson, and Diane Ladd (Laura's real-life mom, I seefrom IMDb) deserve equal kudos. This is by far the best thing I've everseen Luke do; it's a "whoa, this guy can actually act" revelation onthe level of Charlize Theron in "Monster."I'll say the same thing others have said: don't give up on this onebased on the pilot and the first couple of episodes; it really doesseem to be taking off.

agacyb

(2012-04-26 15:15:53)

Takes a while to start caring about the main character

I've updated this review following episode 3, which was finally moreengaging and feels like it's going somewhere interesting.Enlightened reminds me of Curb Your Enthusiasm in the way it makes mecringe. The difference is that CYE quickly gets to the point, jabbingit in repeatedly so that it's inescapable, if painful. Enlightened issimply not making its point in any way that can hook a viewer in 20minutes (make that 40, now that I've been completely irritated by theending of the 2nd episode). I watched the second episode hoping itwould find its focus but, despite a growing cast of "carnival freaks"(a very funny line), I still didn't feel the satisfaction ofunderstanding what their angle is. There was some good stuff in episode2, but maybe the real problem is the horrible, pointless "bliss"endings tacked onto both episodes. What a waste of dramatic space. Iwas looking for some meaning to draw it together, and got nuthin.Laura Dern's character is full-on nuts, and not in a good way. Thecharacter is completely repellent and impossible to relate to (eventhough I am also a somewhat off-the-wall "seeker" who well understandsthat the road is filled with lots of ugly potholes). There seems to benothing trustworthy or honest about her, so how can we care? As anexample of a repellent character who never fails to fascinate even intohis 8th season, Greg House has his audience in the palm of his hand --because we see the line of authenticity. Why should we watch thismarginal character Amy? By the end of the 2nd episode I should haveknown the answer to that question. But she's already been so insane Idon't know how the writers could possibly bring her back to abelievable place where she's worth watching, unless they put her onmedication. (In episode 3, she's toned down, for the most part.)The premise is intelligent: being "enlightened" is a worthy goal but nowalk in the park. I really want to like this show, so I'm hanging inand feel rewarded by the latest episode. Some viewers may be put off bythe clash of comedy with the deeply serious nature of Amy's quest, butin real life this stuff IS funny (while you make plans, God laughs) andthe first two episodes really didn't seem to know how to pitch this,just throwing everything at the wall. Finally in episode 3, LauraDern's character Amy becomes someone I can relate to, even if she'sstill just hanging on by her fingernails. I love Luke Wilson's scenesas her ex-husband, but he wasn't in the third episode, which isprobably good for Amy's health. His character provides an excellenthistorical perspective on Amy, and scenes with her mother show honestlyhow parents can both be supportive and drive you crazy. Bottom line: This is an original drama with a big cast of possiblyfascinating characters. It's worth watching to see how these charactersdevelop. However, it's a weird show and may not find an audience intime to avoid the axe.

monicaduncan

(2012-04-26 15:36:21)

Quirky, Raw, Human

I'm hoping I'm not the only one out here who loves HBO's Enlightened.While still a bit uneven script to script, Laura Dern and Mike White'sshow is quirky, funny, irritating, raw, and human - bringing to mindMichael Tolkin's 1994 film, The New Age, minus the corrosive cynicism.Dern portrays 'seeker' Amy Jellicoe straight up, with all her foibles:unvarnished, selfish, pretentious and trying hard to change. I'm prettysure most of us get Amy's brand of supercilious self-righteousness, thekind we get when we want so much to change others, while avoiding thechange that begins with ourselves. Co-creator Mike White isheartbreakingly sympathetic, hilarious and a great foil for Dern.Unfortunately Enlightened brings to mind a few other wonderful showswhere our imaginary friends disappeared within a season or so: My SoCalled Life, Beggars and Choosers, Canada's Intelligence, among them.Sometimes the grit is just a little too real, the subject a little toooff-beat for mass consumption, with broadcasters not giving a showenough time to find its feet, and audiences robbed of the chance tobond with character.With apologies to Jimi Hendrix, a toast to Enlightened, 'Let your freakflag fly.'

red_identity

(2012-04-26 02:10:10)

Fantastic... the perfect mix of satire, drama, and dark comedy.

I started Enlightened around a week ago, mostly because the GoldenGlobes put it on the spot. As far as first seasons go, this was anexcellent one. It balances comedy and drama extremely well. Someepisodes are more dramatic, some more comedic, but it always remainstop notch. Laura Dern in the character of Amy is completely fantastic. She ownsthis character, which is perhaps one of TV's most fascinating andconfusing. Amy has our sympathy, we still want her to succeed, and shealways pretty much wants to look at things in a positive way. Theproblem is though, she isn't the person she wishes. She makes you feelher problems, yet also cringe and shake your head at the way sheapproaches aspects in her life. She's a good person who wants to dogood things, but she can also be extremely selfish and lacks any sortof self-awareness. Even in her most sticky situations, you want to rootfor her but you see her like many of her co-workers do... in a negativelight. Dern sells it all. Diane Ladd is also pretty fantastic as herdistant, yet also sympathetic and sometimes infuriating mother. Buteven she gets her own episode, which is perhaps the show's mosttouching and dramatic episode.Overall, this is an excellent mix of drama with both dark and lightcomedy. I feel it's sort of underrated and has gotten lost among otherbig-name shows.

politically_incorrect204

(2012-04-23 12:21:05)

A Bit Off

Obviously the title has multiple meanings considering the show and itscharacter. Some of the other reviewers make the easy point that sheisn't very likable. The first two or three episodes kind of set theground work for the show. I don't necessarily have an issue with howmanic and bi polar she can be. I guess my issue was more so her lack ofgrowth through the show. I'm at episode 8 and I thought the show wouldbe more about her figuring out her zen approach to the world isn'trealistic and would find a balance between her hardcore corporateapproach and her hippie approach. But she seems to not learn from hermistakes and keep trying the same ignorant and zany things. As such Idon't feel very fulfilled yet or feel like she had made progress. I dolike her reflective narrations at times when she really realizessomething profound. Those moments are a nice counter balance to theother crazy and awkward moments (which there are many of). I'm curiousto see how the show develops and where it goes. I like the supportingcast almost more than the main character. They generally add some nicemoments and comedic points. All and all worth watching at some pointbut prepare yourself since it is not for everyone.

plex

(2012-04-22 23:55:36)

I Cant tell where this is going....

I cant tell whether they are making fun of people who becomeenlightened or if they feel they can enlighten the world stemming fromwhat seems to be a fairly vapid self-help seminar. "They" in thisreview refers to Mike White and Laura Dern who have their hands allover this new comedy/drama in fields of creation, production,directing, writing and performing. Maybe with less cooks in the kitchenthe show has more focus and self-control, but that focus isn't apparentto this reviewer yet. Maybe they are pointing out the futility ofchange or perhaps how jaded and impersonal the world around them hasbecome. The message is unclear, as I have no idea whether to root forour leading lady or hit some sense into her with a polo mallet. Theshow is fresh and unique, and its great to see Dern on the screen,aging but still looking good, I guess the mid 40's IS the new mid-30'sas her hair and clothing style reflect the latter. I have alwaysappreciated her skills, and its good to see her stretch out in thisone,but by the end of this 30 minute episode I was already getting bothbored and annoyed as the show is already getting a bit preachy and alot pretentious. Once again, the men are written as jerks as one is anumb corporate type who cheats and the other a drug addict.Even withthat, I will watch more episodes to see if the show manages to gainfocus, entertain, and cease the self- important message.