Rachel Sennott has been walking a fine line her entire career. Her breakout roles in Shiva Baby and Bottoms (which she co-wrote) established her as a talent on the rise. Sennott’s ability to balance the high-wire act of satire and absurdism while still finding human elements to her characters is impressive, to say the least. It was only a matter of time before she got to fully helm a project.
I Love LA plays like a mix of fellow HBO hits Girls and Entourage with a satirical edge. The series follows four friends as they navigate life in Los Angeles while balancing their professional and personal ambitions. As a concept, it’s pretty tried and true, but where the show differs is in its perspective. The show knows these characters are vapid and a little insufferable, and it invites you in on that joke early.
Sennott plays Maia, an aspiring talent manager who takes her friend Tallulah (Odessa A’zion) on as a client when she moves to LA. The relationship between the two is the focus, which often relegates the other cast members to B-plot status. There’s Charlie (Jordan Firstman) a celebrity stylist desperately trying to seem above it all, and Alani (True Whitaker) the daughter of a famous actor, who is chronically ignorant of her privilege. Josh Hutcherson rounds out the cast as Maia’s boyfriend, Dylan, acting as the audience surrogate by being the most down-to-Earth.
I Love LA strikes a tricky balance in the way it keeps the characters self-absorbed while also being funny. That the cast succeeds is a testament to their ability. Sennott and A’zion are the most assured. Maia and Tallulah are in the type of codependent relationship that will blow up eventually. The only thing holding this series back is the lack of real stakes. It fits with the LA culture the show is portraying, but ruins our investment. It doesn’t help that the show often trades consistent laughs for an authentic recreation of that culture. I’m not asking for full absurdism here, just more comedy.
Like Sennott’s previous work, I Love LA will probably be hit-or-miss for many people. The blend of vacuous characters, cringe comedy, and the lightest touch of satire won’t work for everyone. Those who enjoy it will find just enough under the surface to keep them coming back. If you’re like me, you’ll find a cast waiting for the chance to break out. Here’s hoping they get that opportunity.
I Love LA is currently streaming on HBO Max. New episodes air on Sundays.