Netflix’s newest rom-com series Easy, comprised so far of eight 30 minute episodes, is a surprisingly refreshing watch. Delving into the classic themes of love, sex, friendship and conflict isn’t exactly unprecedented, but the characters and narratives that make up Easy are far from trite – there is a certain openness and integrity through which this modern emotional landscape is depicted that sets this series distinctly apart from its adversaries. What we get from Easy is an authentic exploration of human relationships, the soft nuances of which are brought to life by director Joe Swanberg.
Each episode stands alone as a short film, with some tangential connections between plotlines and characters (for example, one episodes lead character may appear briefly as a minor character in another episode). There’s the notable presence of several familiar faces over the course of the series; Orlando Bloom, Malin Akerman, Dave Franco and Emily Ratajkowski all appear alongside new and upcoming talent who are by no means overshadowed by their better known counterparts. The unlikely contrast between actors who are recogniseable alongside those that are lesser known produce what Andrew Bizan identifies as the ‘aesthetic of reality’. There is no noticeable disparity between acting abilities – rather, they seem to complement each other to achieve a balance that comfortably mimics reality. In fact, it’s the very real portrayal of very real characters that makes Easy so appealing. The feel of each scene is lively, candid or spontaneous, a testament to Swanberg’s directing abilities. He is known to encourage improvisation and creative freedom amongst actors he works with and confirmed that this technique was fundamental to the show’s production. Swanberg casts his actors largely on the basis of how closely their actual personalities align with the characters’ and encourages them to simulate conversations they would have in real-life, the result being a flawlessly feasible and realistic performance.
The characters themselves make up a diverse array of people, all from Chicago’s middle class. Some are involved in business, some in the arts, some with a sense of purpose or direction in their lives, others less assured; the common ground is that they are each caught in situations or conflicts that are characterised by complex interpersonal emotions. Easy comes as breathe of fresh air because of how far it deviates from the overused, clichéd tropes and characters traits typically employed by romantic television series. Straying far from the classic boy-meets-girl and happily-ever-after scenarios, it instead directly addresses the awkward and sticky situations that modern relationships often lead us to. Swanberg explores the desperation and urgency of budding romances without any sugar-coating, and amplifies the moments that aren’t necessarily comfortable to watch – perhaps because of how closely they reflect real life.
By situating his characters firmly within the colourful and dynamic world of Chicago, Swanberg takes what is perceived as the mundane and everyday and turns it into substance for his work. Sweeping shots of autumn leaves, high-rise buildings or bridges contribute to a developing sense of atmosphere as each episode varies in time but not place, giving us a taste of all seasons and making Easy as much visually enticing as it is emotionally. The prevailing themes may not seem vastly different to what’s already out there, but Swanberg places these concepts into a genuine and contemporary setting that feels all too real. It’s funny. It’s different. It’s what makes watching it, well, easy.
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