Change Your Image
Greeneyesmccoy
Reviews
My Generation (2010)
This Show is Frustrating
"My Generation" is a pseudo documentary about kids from the class of 2000, and interchanges between footage from then and footage from 2010. When I first heard about it I thought it was a genuinely original idea for a show that could focus on the most recent crop of adults to come up into the "real world."
Apparently the real world is a miserable, depressing place. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE is sad and frustrated in this half-rate attempt at genuine social drama. The shows biggest issue is simply that it tries too hard; it seems too obvious that the sins of their use or of their parents is apparent in adulthood.
I have trouble buying into the idea of collective misery in a show examining today's budding adults. It's the kind of show that's very two-dimensional, but will make viewers feel as if they're sophisticated because it "looks gritty" and strives to feel "real." But ultimately it fails whole heartedly. It's not profound, it's not edgy ... it's just an unfortunate mess.
Friday Night Lights (2006)
Finally, a show that treats high school kids honestly!
I'm going to preface this review with two things about myself: 1. I love stories about teens. It's constantly mined because there are many universal truths to be found in teen stories. 2. I hate most high school oriented TV shows. I find them to be dishonest, inaccurate depictions of teen realities. In fact, most shows set in high schools have contrived and predictable stories, annoying characters, and strangely a constant depiction of wealth and materialism.
That being said, Friday Night Lights should be considered the gold standard of quality television in regards to high school franchise shows. It faces down real problems maturely, bluntly, and most importantly: HONESTLY. It doesn't try to sugarcoat the pressures kids face from all sides; whether it be from parents, peers, or even just themselves. The fact that it centers on football becomes a side issue as the show becomes increasingly about the lives of these teen athletes and their families.
The visuals on Friday Night Lights are unique- rejecting standard coverage for a more "off- the cuff" look. I'll admit that it takes getting used to, but the more you watch it the more you start to appreciate how pretty some of the shots actually are. There is a poignancy that they dare to capture when they make the show look like a documentary. As I understand it, it is also for practical purposes as they tend to improvise most of the dialogue and the hand-held method allows them to capture as much as possible of the performances. It is effective for this show, as it does not attempt to beautify any aspect of high school.
Speaking of performances, Friday Night Lights has acting talent in spades. Kyle Chandler's coach Taylor carries the weight the show with ease. He shifts between roles as father, coach, and individual human with grace. Along side him is the excellent Connie Britton who plays one of the strongest female roles on television. It would be easy to write her off as "supportive wife" but Britton portrays the complexity of a modern woman in her position brilliantly.
The rest of the cast is equally superb, and there really isn't a weak link among them. I will admit that not every episode is flawless. Some in the later half of season 1 err towards the melodramatic, but it's excused but the truly exquisite form the majority of the episodes show. I highly recommend giving this show a chance. It's earned it.