At just age 26, it must be really wonderful to be a
genius of writing and acting in two incredible accomplishments of film and T.V. A girl, nay, woman, of our society who not only perfectly throws caution to the wind in her very pragmatic film and T.V series, but saves women world over from personal torment by doing so. On October 8, 2012, she signed a $3.5 million deal with Random House to publish her first book, she was nominated for 4 Emmy’s AND has written and starred in short films as well as her hit series ‘Girls’ and her incredible feature film ‘Tiny Furniture’. I am, of course, talking about Lena Dunham. But isn’t everybody? For whatever reason you have for her being subject of opinion, she has caught everyone’s attention. As a fuller figured working woman in my early twenties, I can speak of no one else who represents the ‘real’ woman so well on the big screen. ‘Tiny Furniture’, the critically acclaimed feature film, portrays so well the women and men who we, as women, deal with on a daily basis. I screamed with laughter, and nodded along in absolute agreement as Dunham shows us a life of pleasantries and considerable normality. As for her T.V series ‘Girls’, well, the U.S.A has had the addiction to sneak into their spare moments and as of October 22nd, we in the U.K can begin to realise Dunham’s true potential. And I warn you now; you will not find it difficult to consume the entire series in one sitting. For it is deliciously, absolutely, terrifyingly spot on to what this generation has a dying thirst for. With female characters so instantly recognisable to reality, you have to wonder what Dunham does so right to be able to turn the norm into something you just can’t peel your eyes from. There are other shows on T.V which seemingly portray the female lead as someone you should be able to relate to, but aside from the rare awkwardness around boys, most of these characters are still wonderfully ‘naturally’ apt at the fashion game, have flawless skin and bodies to die for when you never see them work out on the show. Not exactly what I’d call close to home for many women.
Most of us are struggling to even think one positive thought about ourselves, and it really doesn’t help when you spy a beautiful Zooey Deschanel, for example, yes having the quirky factor that so many of us can claim, but not quite getting it right because of how damn adorable and forgiving she is, and how she can just seemingly roll out of bed in ‘New Girl ‘ and be instantly attractive. Dunham takes that factor and turns it on its beautiful, flawless head. She depicts a life so very immediate to most of ours and makes everyone believe in it. It would be easy to say that her show and film is ‘boring’ or ‘not Hollywood enough’, but that is exactly the reason why women like me adore the bloody cringeworthy heavens out of her. As a voice of the generation who can’t let go of beauty flaws and who concentrate on their ‘imperfect’ selves regardless of looks and slight quirk, she has the power to rule the world. And I, for one, would happily let her. I would cringe along with her all day long, and wear clothes that don’t flatter me in front of boys, and speak my mind and say ‘vagina’ out loud every day. But, the honest to god truth is, I already do those things. I’m foul mouthed sometimes, I don’t hold back with opinion and I sure as hell don’t look amazing when I roll out of bed. The difference now, is that Dunham has given me the confidence to know it’s okay. We’re not all in Hollywood, with millions of pounds to spend on our hair and nails, and maids galore to tidy our houses. We’re young, middle aged and old. Our hair is frizzy, our nails are dirty and our bra’s don’t fit. But we’re still running this world, and we have the time to read, write, see the people who we adore and share embarrassing movies with. We’re an untidy generation, but we’re becoming honest with ourselves in a way that was much too harsh before. Before Lena Dunham. So roll down those sleeves and pin your heart back on, for Dunham is about to give you the most honest fictional account of life to date. G
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