Californication
Artistes:
Tom KapinosActeurs·trices:
David Duchovny, Natascha McElhone, Madeleine Martin, Evan Handler, Pamela Adlon, Madeline Zima, Callum Keith Rennie, Rachel Miner, Carla Gallo (plus)VOD (1)
Saisons(7) / Épisodes(84)
Résumés(1)
Écrivain en panne d'inspiration, Hank enchaîne les aventures d'un soir, les bourdes avec Rebecca, sa fille de 13 ans, et de vaines tentatives pour reconquérir son ex-compagne qu'il aime toujours. Hank, qui n'a pas la langue dans la poche, ne peut s'empêcher de dire les pires choses aux gens qui l'entourent et se retrouve dans des situations plus incongrues les unes que les autres. (M6)
(plus)Critiques (7)
A sexist, sarcastic, funny, romantic, honest, and true portrayal of how relationships can go. It may be driven to the limit of tolerance through Hank's character, but I’d throw Tom Kapinos piles of gold for the dialogue. Also, David Duchovny was clearly born for this role.
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David Duchovny is a one-role actor. That is unlikely to ever change. But this is not his (brilliant) portrayal of Fox Mulder, but the phenomenal role of the somewhat quirky author Hank Moody, who right now is "drowning" in writer’s block. He is quick on the draw with sarcastic and cynical remarks. And, just by the by, he's also going through an ugly midlife crisis - unfortunately for him; fortunately for us viewers. The opening scene in the church in the pilot episode will convince you that it’s been a while since we last met such a compelling character. Where Gregory House's MD’s character ends, Hank is just getting started.
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1. series - 85% - Sometimes he doesn't know if he thinks with his brain or with the second most essential organ, but Hank Moody is still The Man. Someone I always wanted to see in a series. Fortunately, the remarks about sexism don't bother me because the series doesn't humiliate women (and when it does, it quickly takes down a whole group of men). Plus, Karen behaves two classes more mature than Hank the entire time, and he just futilely tries (when he tries) to improve himself enough to be the right one for her. And he does it so humorously, originally, and irresistibly that I had to fall for him too. The only thing that hurts the series is the uniqueness of David Duchovny and therefore Hank's one-man show. Too much attention for the comedic characters of Charlie and his Smurfs occasionally disrupts it slightly. Nonetheless, Californication is to a certain extent an irreplaceable series. Combining humor and drama at such an open sexual level is not as easy as it might seem. 2. series - 90% - Master Moody is pulling out a heavier caliber. He has become an even greater idol, Becca has become a bit more likable, and when even the Runkles' family becomes a full-fledged part of the story, there is not a single thing to criticize. That doesn't mean the viewer won't shake their head during various activities. Nevertheless, the second series would be "just" an improved version of the first series if there hadn't been the icing on the cake. Mortally witty but never exaggerated Lew Ashby. He brings the new dramedic escapades a perfectly complex touch. 3. series - 80% - It isn't easy to maintain a top level for three years and not repeat oneself. Especially with a topic whose initial appeal of the "adventures of a vulgar writer" can quickly fade for superficial viewers. That's why the first few episodes scared me a bit. More and more women were circling around Hank, Charlie and Marcy were proving that the boundaries of what kind of taboos could still appear hadn't been pushed to the utmost limit, and Becca's aggressive and at the same time hurtful puberty development was quite annoying. But it wouldn't be a group around Tom Kapinos if they couldn't handle their development. The storyline took a look at more serious positions again, situational humor reached the limits of genius (the episode that takes place entirely in Hank's apartment is possibly the best of the whole series), and the whole dramatic arc for the third season suddenly made sense. The struggle with all the b******s and the desire to make up for them can't save everything. Californication is from life. Just not from ours. 4. series - 75% - The Atonement. The events around one ill-mannered writer for the first time fall below the clear above-average line, but there is probably no need to fear for the development of the series. Its greatest strength is no longer in the story of the whole series or perfectly structured and pointed episodes, but rather in specific dialogues or absurd characters. While characters with a certain depth came early on, now the screenwriters compete in their eccentricity and sexual openness, perhaps even too much. The honorable exception then goes to the smart and seductive Abby. Californication still has its power and in some scenes clearly reaches for the absolute (confession to Becca or the dialogue with Mia on the balcony resonates even after several weeks), but a bit more complexity and even some more significant change might already be in order. 5. series - 90% - Santa Monica Cop, a projection of one's own transgressions, one generation younger - and Hank's mental maturity. A slight plot pause managed to move the characters to a point where their contemplation of life doesn't feel forced anymore and where there is room for anger, nostalgia, and the desire to give up on everything. This time the story mocks the rap community and the film industry and doesn't leave them unscathed. Fortunately, it manages this even without making characters like Samurai seem unnecessary. And when I have to biasedly watch my favorite Becca, who unexpectedly grew up into a naive woman with significant daddy issues, I simply see the best series. Mature, fateful, and clever. The swan song of the whole series, which was worth experiencing. 6. series - 70% - The line between bold humor and parody of itself is sometimes damn thin, and looking at the crazy Ophelia or the drugged-out Atticus, it must be admitted that this Californian gang could have done better. David Duchovny can still just lounge on the couch and occasionally drop a random piece of wisdom, and that's enough to make me happy, but I was expecting a bit more. I've assimilated the fact that most sexual innuendos are already operating at the extreme level. However, it's more regrettable that the story of the fateful love is beginning to fail. Perhaps it's due to the beautiful smile of Maggie Grace (who, from the position of Faith, easily steals the show), perhaps the fact that when one couple spins around each other for six seasons and obviously doesn't know what they want, their efforts become tiresome, whether they like it or not. The truth is that the sixth series was a bit lower than everything before it. It still delivers fine entertainment with several amazing serious moments, but I was expecting a bit more. However, it mattered a bit more with what grace Hank can head into the sunset. 7. series - 70% - If the creators ever had a downright bad idea, it was named Levon. In his awkward speeches and decisions, there is a chance for Hank to make amends, but even considering the
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(moins)
(plus)
So far, here's how I see it: a lot of bad language, a little bit of sharp wit, and a lot of sex :-) A weaker 3 stars.
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Yes, David Duchovny is decent, Natascha McElhone is decent, the direction is decent, the script is within what the series wants to be, and is very well written. But in order to enjoy something like this, you have to have some connection with its characters, and I haven't had such an unpleasant feeling while watching Californication in a long time. I like imperfect characters and I can tolerate a fair amount of cynicism, vulgarity, or deviations from film characters. I enjoy movies by Guy Ritchie or The Simpsons. I really liked the series Huff, which is somewhat similar, but Californication crossed the imaginary line of acceptability and where it clearly aims to entertain, it rather evokes sadness or disgust in me. It's about people who obviously don't know how to live and will never learn. It creates an impression of a hopeless community of people who believe that life can somehow be stumbled through, who are not familiar with the word responsibility, and who have clearly never encountered real problems in their lives. As is typical for American productions, the series takes place in an environment of the upper middle class, which has no existential worries and sees the world as one long carnival. It could have been a critical exploration of modern consumer society if it weren't for the obvious aim to entertain and deliver one-liners. Californication is not as dumb as it may seem at first glance, but it is far from being as clever as many of its fans think. Its main weapon and draw for viewers is cynicism and sexism, but in such a dosage that it evokes a defensive reaction in me. Luckily, real life doesn't work like that, or maybe only at swinger parties. Californication does have something to offer, but I don't understand its world and I would probably look forward to a quarterly math exam more than a new episode of this. Overall impression: 45%.
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Season one: Life is a crock of shit and it’s fine to get a good night’s sleep occasionally. And when you have writer’s block everything’s twice as bad. Hank Moody deals with it with a Camel, a glass of scotch and a new woman every other day. But life is still a crock of shit. When I watch Californication, I get this nice warm feeling inside that I’m not up shit creek alone... Season two: Damn, that’s Rick Rubin’s house! Or isn’t it? Season three: A change of job brought a breath of fresh air with it and, after a slightly week season two, it’s heading to the top again. Three new beauties and an unbelievably overloaded last episode grabbed me by the heart. Lots of luck, Hank. Season four: Like the last chapter of a book that never ends. The excellent ending to season three caused this one to have a really strong take-off (maybe the best yet) and the endings were always very powerful. Then everything returned to the same old rut until toward the end the standard rose again. The excellent episode with flashbacks to days even before the pilot shows that a lot of water has gone under the bridge, but the quality remains high. One thing is beginning to annoy me and that’s Charlie. Is he exaggerating just to make Hank’s most difficult moment more bearable? Maybe. But some lines just shouldn’t be crossed. As for the last episode, they couldn’t have given us a better ending. The circle that began with episode one has closed and now an empty road lies before us. What stories await us on it? Season five: The break in New York did Hank good and it had a pretty good effect on the entire season. To begin with the moody writer is literally dragged back into the series against his will and his short trip to California turns into a long-term vacation. “It all started well, then it went a bit weird and in the end everything was completely fucked up." The supporting character that stands out most is mad Sam. Apoc. and he’s a younger version of Hank who is dating his daughter. A perfect ending, showing that it doesn’t help even if you do everything right, things still won’t go the way you want, because God hates us all. I hope we see each other soon, Hank. Season six: This was supposed to be the last season, but money has to spin. I can’t help thinking that all of this californicating is beginning to spiral all the way down to hell with Lew Ashby behind the bar. A good half of the episodes were trash. The beginning is pretty fine, the rehab center was interesting and the fairies were duly funny, on the other hand the rock opera is just pitiful. Even Hank says that. The idea with the muse Faith (the ravishing Maggie Grace) as the new “first lady" in Hank’s life promised more than it gave. Would it have been such a problem to drive things to greater extremes? The whole thing is starting to be really forced and some parts are boring and a tasteless cesspit revolving around its own absurdity. I’m not very pleased that there’s going to be another season because we’re witnessing the fall of another people’s hero. I sometimes watched it just out of habit. Well, perhaps this is just a weak spot and they’ll make up for it next time. Season seven: Wrack and ruin. The arrival of the prodigal son is the worst thing that could have hit Californication. The situations are becoming even more absurd. Filth, stupidity and humiliation are mounting up. This season was no better, more like a painful crawl to the finish. Really, only the last three or four episodes are any good. Thanks to those Hank Moody leaves with honor, a little dented, broken and immobile, but with honor. Farewell, Hank, but you should have stayed in New York after season four. Farewell, old brother.
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(moins)
(plus)
Une série bien tranchante pleine de vulgarité, de sexe, d’alcool, de drogue, de répliques désarmantes et d’humour cinglant. Hank Moody est un personnage ambivalent qu’on peut très bien aimer et détester dans un laps de temps de quelques minutes. Parfois, je serais tenté de le qualifier de nouveau Charles Bukowski. Mais mon personnage préféré reste incontestablement Charlie, l’agent et ami de Hank, dont les pérégrinations sont tout simplement désarmantes. Je ne mettrai pas cinq étoiles à cause de la fille insupportablement je-sais-tout de Hank, de la peu sympathique Natascha McElhone, du fait que Hank s’adoucisse au fil du temps et de quelques scènes répugnantes avec du vomi. Cela dit, je regarde bien sûr aussi la deuxième saison, que je trouve plus marrante que la première.
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