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Sharon Horgan's 'Youth': The Brutal Brilliance of 50
19 Sep
Summary
- The show explores the challenges of aging and post-divorce dating in one's fifties.
- It satirizes the publishing world, including a successful but poorly written 'romantasy' novel.
- Realistic sex scenes and family dynamics are depicted with sharp, relatable humor.
The new dramedy 'Youth,' from Sharon Horgan, creator of 'Motherland,' offers a humorous and acutely observed look at the challenges of aging and post-divorce romance in one's fifties.
The series centers on Alex, a literary agent in her "sandwich years," juggling career, her teenage son Ruarí, and aging parents. The show's title, 'Youth,' is a sardonic nod to the decade often called "the youth of old age." Alex grapples with the pressure to find a partner quickly, fearing the loss of her present self to "the old me."
'Youth' satirizes the publishing world with sharp wit, poking fun at literary trends and authors. One subplot involves Alex's struggle to re-sign a smug former author whose successful, explicit "romantasy" novel, 'Goblin Seed,' embodies the genre's excess. Alex's interactions with him are depicted as deeply uncomfortable.
The show also examines complex family dynamics, including Alex's self-involved actor ex-husband, Lorcan, who is pursuing a lucrative role in Canada. Alex's son, Ruarí, is portrayed with naturalism, and his interactions with potential father figures are explored.
Realistic and insightful sex scenes are a highlight, contrasting with Hollywood gloss. The series is lauded for its "London-real" diverse characters and Horgan's signature vérité style, especially in its depiction of motherhood and the unglamorous realities of elder care, making it a relatable and brilliant portrayal of life's journeys.
