Bryan Greenberg is a young, talented but largely unknown actor who has been featured in a couple of promising projects. From the highly enjoyable film “Prime” to the short-lived show “October Road,” Greenberg has shown his potential in a number of solid roles but he has not yet established himself as a major star. His latest role on the HBO show “How to Make it in America” could help him do that if the show finds a solid audience to support this strong program.
The website for the “How to Make it in America states that the show “follows two enterprising Brooklyn twenty somethings as they hustle their way through New York City, determined to achieve the American Dream.” Greenberg plays one of the two, Ben Epstein. Ben is a salesman at Barney’s, who decides to follow his own dream for success at the conclusion of the first episode. Both he and his best friend, Cam, borrow money from Cam’s loan shark cousin to start their own denim line of jeans.
While the first episode was merely good, the subsequent episodes have been stronger bringing viewers into Ben’s unique and diverse world. Cam (Victor Rasuk) is his likably goofy friend who is often assertive in trying to get professionals in the clothing industry to offer advice to the duo. Adding to the cast is Rachel, Ben’s on-again off-again ex-girlfriend who he still likes but who has already moved past him in the dating department. Their complicated relationship will likely continue to be a major part of the show.
The premise of the program is both admirable and inspiring. Ben and Cam are simply trying to “make it in America” by starting their own small business. Although various people have informed them of the uphill battle they face in the tough clothing industry, they still keep trying to make new contacts and push their designs onto anyone who will take a look. Although neither of them seem to have much experience in the clothing business, they are both willing to take risks to further their goal.
Some have compared this show to the HBO comedy “Entourage,” and it is similar to that program in a number of ways. Both shows focus on male friendships and finding professional success in America. However as opposed to “Entourage,” which started out focusing on the budding movie career of its lead character and his “entourage” of friends, this show is more about a partnership of two entrepreneurs who have to break into an industry without knowing many people in it. Also, as opposed to “Entourage” which is set in California, “How to Make it in America” is set in New York City and that location plays a major role on the show.
From the club scene in New York to the public transportation to the actual locations of events on the show, the energy of New York and the diversity of its neighborhoods is on full display throughout. The show constantly and comfortably moves from one location to another showing various parts of the city that reportedly never sleeps.
The show does have some flaws, though. There are some obvious cliches, including Ben’s late night visit to his ex-girlfriend’s apartment building where he yells up at her apartment and wakes up the neighbors. Also, one of the lead characters, David Kaplan, seems a bit out of place. Kaplan went to high school with Ben and at the beginning of the series, they meet up again and Kaplan suddenly becomes Ben’s good friend again even though the two have little in common. I am hoping that in the future their friendship is developed a bit more to show why the two stay friends.
Regardless of its minor flaws, “How to Make it in America” still has a strong premise that celebrates entrepreneurship, hard work and its setting, New York City. I am hoping that this show does well and that Mr. Greenberg gets more exposure from it. This is a smart program that deserves to make it in America.
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