Bryan Greenberg plays Ben Epstein, a young entrepreneur who wants to make a name in New York’s fashion scene
Ben and Cam are convinced that “Crisp,” their denim and shirt start-up business will make it in the New York fashion scene. But first, they need the right connections. Endless Brooklyn parties, dining in high-end restaurants, and sleeping with a rich lady. That’s how you make it in America.
Geek Rate: Sun god Worthy (4 out of 5 stars). “How to Make It in America” is a fairy tale story, no doubt. The theme of dreaming big and watching a character becomes successful is tiring. But the series is more than just a success story. It is, in retrospect, a sort of documentary on the inner workings of the fashion scene. It shows how, if you’re lucky and have connections, you can make it in America.
Bryan Greenberg plays Ben Epstein, a young entrepreneur who wants to make a name in New York’s fashion scene. I was reminded of his lead role in the 2015 film “Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong” where he plays roughly the same character as Ben. In the film, he was an American expat in an Asian financial city whose passion leads him to ditch his high-paying job to become a writer. Ben is in a similar dilemma. He’s got a choice between continuing to work in a clothing store or creating his own clothing line. Greenberg is joined by Victor Rasuk as his best friend Cam. Together they started “Crisp,” a start-up business selling shirts and jeans.
The series gives your usual success story buoyed by connections and luck. Ben and Cam suffered setbacks every step of the way before their shirts and hoodies become a hit in the city. The focus of “How to Make it in America” is on how the two succeeded in penetrating the fashion scene, showing the inner workings on every street corner of New York. Ben was rebuffed by his former professor from revealing his source of good jeans, so he resorted to the black market. There’s a Japanese businessman who wants to give a break to up-and-coming designers. Finally, the struggle to make it into the mainstream clothing stores.
Greenberg is perfect as the Jewish twenty-something living from paycheck to paycheck without health insurance. He’s more in character here than in any of the series and films he was in. I swooned when I watched him in “Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong” as a business associate wearing long sleeves. But Greenberg as a New Yorker is a much perfect fit. Certainly, 16 episodes featuring Bryan Greenberg is reason enough to watch this series.
Reignell Francisco
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