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Amazon.co.uk Review
HBO's hip, smart series How to Make It in America is a snapshot of the beating heart of young ambition and energy in New York City. Youth may flail--and even fail--but good ideas and smarts and an "angle" just might pay off in the City That Never Sleeps. The ensemble cast is terrific, including Bryan Greenberg, Victor Rasuk, Lake Bell, Shannyn Sossamon, Kid Cudi, and the always-hilarious Luis Guzmán. Some are layabouts, some are craven with ambition, some are artistes, some are thugs--and some are all of the above. Much like Entourage does, How to Make It in America follows a group of friends and acquaintances through their daily lives, and sometimes feels as aimless as real life really is. But the writing and direction and acting are all first-rate, and anyone who's ever visited New York, or lived there, or dreamed of living there, will be captivated by the realism. The reality of New York is both romanticized and taken at harsh face value--such a vivid portrait, in fact, that the city feels like another character in the ensemble. And it's true that as a metaphor where dreams are created--or dashed--New York is unparalleled. How to Make It in America works as a comedy, a drama, and a character study that completely draws in the viewer--even if the characters aren't always likable. TV doesn't really get any better than this. And remember--if you can "Make It" here, you can make it anywhere. --A.T. Hurley
DVD Description
How to Make It in America follows two enterprising twentysomethings as they hustle their way through New York City, determined to achieve their version of the American Dream. Trying to make a name for themselves in the city's competitive fashion scene, Ben Epstein and his friend and business partner Cam Calderon use their street knowledge and connections to make their way up. With the help of their well-connected friend Domingo and Cam's cousin Rene, who has ambitions of his own--a new high-energy drink called Rasta-Monsta--the burgeoning entrepeneurs set out to make it big.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Starting your own business is risky, painful and full of stumbles. And that's what How To Make It In America is all about -- a clever little dramedy about three different businesses that are trying to get off the ground, and the highs and lows they encounter along the way. It's a little quirky, gritty, and riddled with romantic problems.
Mild-mannered Ben Epstein (Bryan Greenberg) and his street-smart buddy Cam Calderon (Victor Rasuk) decide to start a denim clothing line called Crisp, but run into a bunch of problems -- they have little money, one investor, no business plan and a disastrous sample. Even as their dreams seem to crash and burn, they discover a new business road has just opened up -- if they can keep their hands on the merchandise.
In the meantime, Ben's ex-girlfriend Rachel (Lake Bell) has a wealthy new boyfriend named Darren, which might be good for her designing agency -- but bad for her personal life. And Cam's cousin Rene (Luis Guzmán), who has just gotten out of prison, is going legit with an energy drink called Rasta Monsta -- which is encountering the same sorts of problems as Crisp.
"How To Make It In America" is all about pursuing the American Dream in the 21st century: you need opportunity, street smarts, connections, and lots of hard work. It's not quite as brilliant as some of HBO's other shows, but it does have an endearing, gritty earnestness -- and it reminds you that for every successful business that takes off, there are dozens of failed ones.
Along the way, there are lots of dimly-lit New York nightclubs, shady street venders and warehouses piled high with vintage T-shirts. The writing is fun and often clever ("Edie, do you know where I can find some X?" "Top drawer on the left"), and the writers balance out drama and low-key comedy with an expert hand.
The one downside: it feels a bit unfocused at times, with side-plots about a crazy skateboarder and Ben's new girlfriend. They don't really add anything to the main plot.
Greenberg and Rasuk are a strong pair of Odd-Coupley leads: Ben is a pleasant, mild-mannered young man who's been disappointed over and over, and Cam is a fiercely ambitious, optimistic young man who pounces on every chance for success.
Bell does a pretty good job as Rachel, but she honestly doesn't get to do very much for the first five episodes or so -- but her about-faces in the last few are great. Guzman is compelling as an ex-con valiantly trying to run a legit business, and Shannyn Sossamon is wildly underused as quirky trust-fund art-dealer Gingy Wu.
"How to Make It In America" is a gritty, sleek little show that might blossom into something more. All it needs is a little more oomph and a bit of the fat trimmed off.
Mild-mannered Ben Epstein (Bryan Greenberg) and his street-smart buddy Cam Calderon (Victor Rasuk) decide to start a denim clothing line called Crisp, but run into a bunch of problems -- they have little money, one investor, no business plan and a disastrous sample. Even as their dreams seem to crash and burn, they discover a new business road has just opened up -- if they can keep their hands on the merchandise.
In the meantime, Ben's ex-girlfriend Rachel (Lake Bell) has a wealthy new boyfriend named Darren, which might be good for her designing agency -- but bad for her personal life. And Cam's cousin Rene (Luis Guzmán), who has just gotten out of prison, is going legit with an energy drink called Rasta Monsta -- which is encountering the same sorts of problems as Crisp.
"How To Make It In America" is all about pursuing the American Dream in the 21st century: you need opportunity, street smarts, connections, and lots of hard work. It's not quite as brilliant as some of HBO's other shows, but it does have an endearing, gritty earnestness -- and it reminds you that for every successful business that takes off, there are dozens of failed ones.
Along the way, there are lots of dimly-lit New York nightclubs, shady street venders and warehouses piled high with vintage T-shirts. The writing is fun and often clever ("Edie, do you know where I can find some X?" "Top drawer on the left"), and the writers balance out drama and low-key comedy with an expert hand.
The one downside: it feels a bit unfocused at times, with side-plots about a crazy skateboarder and Ben's new girlfriend. They don't really add anything to the main plot.
Greenberg and Rasuk are a strong pair of Odd-Coupley leads: Ben is a pleasant, mild-mannered young man who's been disappointed over and over, and Cam is a fiercely ambitious, optimistic young man who pounces on every chance for success.
Bell does a pretty good job as Rachel, but she honestly doesn't get to do very much for the first five episodes or so -- but her about-faces in the last few are great. Guzman is compelling as an ex-con valiantly trying to run a legit business, and Shannyn Sossamon is wildly underused as quirky trust-fund art-dealer Gingy Wu.
"How to Make It In America" is a gritty, sleek little show that might blossom into something more. All it needs is a little more oomph and a bit of the fat trimmed off.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Bought this as it kept on being recommended to me based on owning Entourage/ Sopranos and The Wire Boxsets. It's made by a lot of the same people as Entourage - Doug Ellin and Mark Whahlberg is an Ex Producer.
Based in the New York (my favourite city) it follows 2 main guys trying to make a success having pretty much wasted/ partied away there 20s and now looking to start there own business.
Fast paced, great soundtrack the 1st series just flew by. Looking forward to the second series.
Nothing like Entourage but I think it would appeal to fans of that series.
Based in the New York (my favourite city) it follows 2 main guys trying to make a success having pretty much wasted/ partied away there 20s and now looking to start there own business.
Fast paced, great soundtrack the 1st series just flew by. Looking forward to the second series.
Nothing like Entourage but I think it would appeal to fans of that series.
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Made by the creators of entourage.. this is similar to it except they are starting from the bottom..its quite good I enjoyed what I saw so fare. If you like entourage you will like this
Most Recent Customer Reviews
loved it. Bryan Greenberg's one of the best :)
loved it. Bryan Greenberg's one of the best :)
loved the story and the actors. Wish it would have been longer and it would not have been cancelled after season two!
loved the story and the actors. Wish it would have been longer and it would not have been cancelled after season two!
Published 4 months ago by Julia Steinberg
the worse
the worst thing i ever bought! the dvds do not work they are ureadable in my blu ray player and regular dvd player.
totally robbed me of my money!
totally robbed me of my money!
Published 4 months ago by p
Awful Show
Watched this as one of the exec producers from Entourage was involved but it's pretty terrible. The characters are unlike-able, boring or pretentious and the episodes seem to... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Nas
How to Make It in America
A cool and easy to watch show with fun, interesting and very likable characters. If you enjoy Entourage you will love this. Looking forward to season 2.
Published 11 months ago by M.W.P
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