Hung – Season 1 (2009) - Trailer Included
Creators: Collette Burson & Dmitry Lipkin
Starring; Thomas Jane, Anne Heche, Jane Adams, Rebecca Creskoff, Charlie Saxton, Eddie Jemeson, Sianoa Smit-McPhee
“I used to have a family. I used to have a wife, kids, a house, a job. Now, well, now I have my dick. A dick and a dream. If that's not the American way, what is?” – Ray Drecker
HBO’s Hung is a titillating comedy drama that boasts the name of Alexander Payne (Election, Sideways) as series producer and credited Director of the pilot episode. His presence means that a shallow idea is infected with humanity and circumvents glamour for honesty. The creative team of Collette Burson, Dmitry Lipkin and the rest of the writers seduce with a subtle wit and sincere understanding that tantalizes but avoids exploitation.
At the center of the show is Ray Drecker (Thomas Jane). A former sporting hero in high school, a gifted athlete, he married the prom queen, had two kids and made it to the majors. Fate however intervened and an injury saw his dreams shattered. Taking the blow in stride he became a high school basketball coach and history teacher in Detroit.
But that is the past, today Ray is struggling financially, his wife divorced him and he has moved into his childhood home that he inherited when his parents died. Problem is that the lake front dwelling just burnt down, his children have to live with their mother and his options are fast dissolving as job security is tenuous.
“You don't need to like the lady. You just need to... like the cash.”– Lenore
Faced with crippling bills, the smoldering ashes of his house and a desperate need to survive in the suburban jungle Ray is a desperate man. None too bright, unskilled and a flawed everyman, his only marketable commodity is a ligament larger than a babies arm. So it is that circumstances force the conservative, well meaning father and teacher to embark upon a career as a male gigolo.
“Well, having sex with that guy is like doing coke. It's expensive, but you really want it, so you buy it and then you get this huge awesome rush.” – Patty
John Doe Says:
Examining the dynamics of superficial relationships Hung works on several levels. It comments on the erosion of the education system, the warped priorities of modern living and the grass roots repercussions of the economically handicapped.
Penetrating with tragic ironies, empty fulfillment and disjointed morality the series pays close attention to character development and refuses to judge its subject. The dark humour often comes with insight and there is genuine human emotion that comes from Ray’s reluctant learning curve as he attempts to succeed at fulfilling the fairer sexes desires.
The writing doesn’t draw attention to itself and the dialogue is delicate and understated. Achieving a tone of realism that seldom dips into farce, the script rewards with laughs and bone hard truths.
Craig Wedren’s musical score and the soulful, blues rock soundtrack serve as more than background noise, instead they dictate response and can draw us further into a scenes mood or purpose. The brilliant Black Keys opening theme just foreplay to the other delights found on the track listings.
Acknowledging the shows quality technique the editing, cinematography and design are all solid but it’s the chiseled presence of sometimes tough guy Thomas Jane (Stander, Boogie Nights, The Mist, Dark Country) that makes this much watch TV.
Delivering his lines with the vulnerability and confusion of the part he proves that his range includes average schmoe come man whore. Carefully communicating Ray's evolution of emotional detachment conflicting with essential tenderness Jane’s external attributes soon disappear beneath the despair of Ray’s uncomfortable situation.
The casting of Jane Adams (Carnivale, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Little Children) as Tanya, a wall flower pimp who is more intellectual than sensual was a brilliant choice. She makes the role multidimensional and without her much of the writers intentions may never have surfaced. A poet of the heart who begins to bloom with confidence as she faces the challenges of her ambitions. The chemistry between Adams and her leading man intrigues as much as it reveals.
Never a fan of Anne Heche (Prozac Nation), but as the shallow, directionless ex wife Jessica she achieves the desired repulsion and as the part develops even elicits sympathy for her vacuous plight.
Children’s roles on Television seem to be going through a period of excellence at the moment, be it the off spring in Californication or Weeds and now Hung demands respect too. As the younger Drecker’s both Charlie Saxton (The Lovely Bones) and Sianoa Smit-McPhee abort obnoxious behavior to be victims of their less than ideal role models. These are not one dimensional tokens but instead pivotal component of Ray’s motivation and beyond that enable observations on nontraditional new millennium families.
Rebecca Creskoff (Mad Men, The West Wing) as Lenore also warrants spotlight time. Playing the decadent personal shopper to the wealthy her characters hedonistic, self absorbed tendencies say much without words.
Not necessarily as addictive as say Californication, which Hung has superfluously been compared instead this is a show that grows as you understand the characters. The indiscriminate sensuality of the sex scenes are unique, the themes important and while it entertains and amuses there is substance to be appreciated by the time the season finale wraps up.
Trailer for Hung
A scene from Hung
Hung's revealing Opening Credits
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