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“The Get Down” is a passionate new TV show from Netflix. It focuses on a group of teenagers using their artistic talents to make their way in the decaying world of the Bronx in 1977. The fiery first episode has its flaws, but it possesses an infectious energy that few shows ever achieve.
The protagonist of this show is Zeke, an African-American teenager with a talent for poetry and a crush on an aspiring singer named Mylene. After a series of adventures, he discovers that his knack for rhyming makes him a perfect fit for the city’s burgeoning hip-hop scene.
One of the things I love about “The Get Down” is the way it uses different types of performances. Many of the characters are musicians or visual artists, and their art tells us a lot about them. Director/co-creator Baz Luhrmann wisely lets this episode overflow with great performances by his core ensemble and many extras.
Luhrmann uses great performances to encapsulate a character in a short amount of time. This is what happens when Zeke intensely recites a personal poem he wrote for a teacher. His recitation shows off his linguistic gifts while showing us hidden depths that make Zeke a more complex character.
Some of the show’s best moments can be found in its performances. This is seen most blatantly in the energetic sequences at a disco club called Les Inferno. A lot of important things are happening in the plot, but the most exciting thing to watch is the elaborate dances. The bright colors pulse as everyone dances like their lives depend on it. Even the bartender gets in one or two good moves.
It is sequences like this that create the vivid world of “The Get Down.” Its characters have to deal with poverty and crime, but they find joy in their friendships and their art.
The cast is full of young actors that everyone will soon be talking about. Justice Smith is a great lead as Zeke. Herizen F. Guardiola makes great use of her beautiful voice as Mylene. Jaden Smith is unexpectedly convincing as graffiti artist Dizzee.
The pilot of this show is not perfect. There are a few too many subplots. Some of the characters’ relationships oscillate too wildly, like Zeke and Mylene’s.
But when it works, it becomes one of the most exciting shows of the summer. The great performances and excellent music will get you involved in the sprawling story. This is a TV show that will make you want to get up and dance.
