Californication - An insight into Hollywood values

Been binge watching Californication, the TV series on STAN recently. Great show. But morally troubling.

For those who have not been alive during the late 2000's, the show follows the adventures of a writer, Hank Moody who is living in LA. Seven seasons of 12 episodes (though I am only on Season 2 at this stage)

Reminded me a little of Entourage (though Entourage premiered a few years earlier in 2004), though I would say it is a little more thoughtful that that show. Themes are a little more detailed and varied, rather than just friendship in LA which was the main provoker in that show.

Hank is basically a pleasure seeker. Pretty hedonistic, and seems to have an endless supply of women at his beck and call, all captivated by his writing. Not married, even though he appears 35+ and has a daughter who is at least 13/14. And seems to be independently wealthy via the proceeds of his book sales and movie.

Hank exists on a diet of booze and drugs, and spends most of his time either in a car, with his daughter, in other women's bedrooms. Yet he is still trying to recapture his previous life as the partner of his long term girlfriend. And a good father to their daughter, born out of wedlock.

It is a very well written show..the dialogue especially is captivating.

That said, the show treats traditional religion and marriage as things to avoid. Hank's daughter is a hard rocker who seems to worship Satan. There are various dream sequences in the first few seasons that have Hank disrespecting the catholic church (i.e cigarette thrown in the Holy Water. Sex with nuns etc.) Also has a go at Scientology.  And marriage is seen as something to run from (when his ex-partner leaves the wedding reception for Hank in his car at the end of the first season), or something that women are determined to get out of (the various cheating and divorced women on display that Hank bonks on with are legion)

His daughter and wife consistently feel let down by Hank's choices, which seem to involve him de-prioritizing them for other people (his ex-lovers, his best friend). Which is true. While his heart is in the right place, he constantly makes the incorrect choice and has no self control over his passions. He blames everyone else but himself for his failures, claims he loves women, yet treats them like disposable pleasures, rather than relationships.

Watching it, I wonder if this is a cautionary tale, or an insight into what Hollywood believes in. A world where the creative rules...that everything is forgiven as long as you keep producing what the public demands. That marriages are actually constraints, rather than an aspirational state to raise children in.

Generally a cautionary tale involves some punishment. Hank has had some fallout from his decision making...Has been beaten up by husbands/partners, had his book stolen by his underage one night stand, is living apart from his partner and daughter, been car-jacked. Yet he is still bonking on, still getting cash. And his daughter forgives him of it all.

Maybe the fallout continues in the next few seasons. I will watch on..waiting to see if Hank is held up as a prophet of the modern age, or a fallen angel.