Enlightened (HBO)

About Enlightened (HBO)

"Enlightened" is an American comedy-drama television series that aired on HBO from October 10, 2011, to March 3, 2013. The show was created by Mike White who also starred, alongside Laura Dern, in a central role. The series follows the story of a self-destructive woman (Dern) who, after a meltdown and subsequent treatment in rehab, tries to get her life back on track. However, her newfound enlightened philosophy creates more havoc than harmony as she struggles to navigate her relationships and job with her well-intended yet often misguided wisdom.

Making / Production

Enlightened was created and written by Laura Dern and Mike White, who both feature in the series. The production was executed by David Bernad and Ed Saxon. Notably, Dern's performance in the central role was widely praised, and the show has developed a cult following for its unique, introspective look at modern life and personal transformation.

Actors

• Laura Dern as Amy Jellicoe, a self-destructive woman seeking to reconstruct her life with a newfound philosophy. Dern's portrayal was lauded for the raw and compelling honesty she brought to the role.
• Mike White as Tyler, a reserved, insecure software designer at Abaddon Industries. White's performance was praised for its subtlety and authenticity.
• Luke Wilson as Levi Callow, Amy's ex-husband who struggles with substance abuse. Wilson's performance gave depth to the character, highlighting his personal struggles.
• Diane Ladd as Helen Jellicoe, Amy's mother, who is critical and detached. Ladd, who is Dern's real-life mother, gave a striking performance, making their mother-daughter dynamic more convincing.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Laura Dern and Diane Ladd, who play mother and daughter in the series, are mother and daughter in real life as well.
• Despite its short run of only two seasons, Enlightened gained a cult following and is frequently cited for its precise writing and standout performances.
• The show's title, 'Enlightened', refers to Amy's quest for personal growth and spiritual awakening following her breakdown.

Awards

In 2012, Laura Dern won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy for her performance in the series.

Quotes

• "You can try to escape the story of your life, but you can't. It happened. The baby died. The dog died. The heart broke. I knew you, I know you. The rest is stardust." - Amy
• "I'm my best self. And my worst self." - Amy
• "We can do better. I know we can. I saw it." - Amy

Music, Soundtrack

• The atmospheric and indie-infused soundtrack of Enlightened played a crucial role in setting the tone of the show. It featured songs from artists like Fiona Apple and other lesser-known bands.
• The show's theme song, "So Much Beauty in Dirt," is by indie-folk band Modest Mouse.
• Other notable tracks include "Holocene" by Bon Iver and "The Nickel" by The White Birch.