Modern life advances inexorably, and sometimes the best way to process it is to see someone on the screen trying to cope with it too. Or that he tries, but with ostensibly superior resources rarely discussed aloud. But life in the city is the key to a certain type of series with female protagonists, as is the case with ‘Valeria’.
The successful Netflix series is the direct heir to this type of stories that show in the key of dramedy the friendship of a group of women who live in the city. Relationships, sex, work and reflection on the future that was promised to them and the one they have ended up living as adults. A type of series that has a fairly wide audience and that can enjoy similar examples like these that can be seen in streaming.
‘Sex and the City’ (‘Sex and the City’, 1998-2004)
Created by: Darren Star. Distribution: Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Kim Cattrall, Chris Noth.
The rosetta stone of the series class that we are highlighting today and that ‘Valeria’ aspires to be (and aspires a lot). Both for many fans and for later series it is still the bible whose teachings must be followed. Certainly, this comedy became something special at a time when television was heading to a new dimension.
‘Valeria’ takes from her to her writer protagonist, the iconic Carrie Bradshaw of Sarah Jessica Parker who had the support of her friends to discuss her love problems and her obsession with buying shoes. Fun and fresh for the momentDarren Star’s series was as whimsical as it was liberating for a group of women with different perspectives on sex and building life.
Watch on HBO Max | Criticism in Espinof
‘Girls’ (2012-2017)
Created by: Lena Dunham. Distribution: Lena Dunham, Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke, Zosia Mamet, Adam Driver.
Probably the closest to the claims of ‘Valeria’ was this direct heiress of ‘Sex and the City’, but with a hipster twist and slightly less posh that ironically has made her be even more daughter of her time. To this day there is a lot of talk about whether ‘Girls’ was really that good and if it wasn’t really a Stockholm syndrome.
But there is no doubt that Lena Dunham’s series spoke directly to a new generation of viewers, passing the HBO filter through the mumblecore movement. On its side that has aged best is its castwith people turned into stars like Adam Driver or Allison Williams who at the time already defended characters who were constantly tightening the line that can make someone unbearable.
Watch on HBO Max | Criticism in Espinof
‘Perfect Life’ (2019-2021)
Created by: Leticia Pain. Distribution: Leticia Dolera, Aixa Villagran, Celia Freijeiro, Enric Auquer, Manuel Burque.
Probably the series that has best known how to bring the spirit of the two previous series to the tone of the Spanish series. Better than ‘Valeria’ and something more generational, as it follows three different but hopelessly connected women: one unexpectedly pregnant, one dissatisfied with family life and one frustrated with her artistic career.
The Letica Dolera series finds the right dose of humor so that the dramatic part is not diluted excessively, but is equally fresh and pleasant to watch. A wonderful short series that dismantles what has always been considered a “perfect life”, which fantastically develops relationships that raises and reach positive messages organically.
See in Movistar+ | Criticism in Espinof
In Espinof | The best current feminist series