The Sex Lives of College Girls Review
Images courtesy of UsMagazine
By Kat Kaderbek
The new HBO ten-episode series has everyone talking about a rather taboo topic; named after this concept, The Sex Lives of College Girls follows four misfit roommates as they struggle to fit in and grapple with their personal sex lives in a college atmosphere.
One of the four main cast members is Pauline Chalamet, sister to breakout-star Timothée Chalamet, who plays Kimberly, a scholarship student attending university purely for academic success while still maintaining her mature high school relationship with long-distance boyfriend Max. Amrit Kaur plays Bela Malhotra, an aspiring comedian who rushes the most exclusive comedy writing group on campus and longs for wild sexual exploits, all while hiding her true major from her strict Indian parents. Lieghton Murray, a Barbie-doll princess, and secretly closeted lesbian, is played by Renee Rapp, who does a fantastic job in portraying Leighton’s struggle with her sexuality and identity throughout the series. Finally, Alyah Chanelle Scott plays the senator’s daughter and soccer star, Whitney Chase, who also happens to be having an affair with her married coach.
These four roommates begin college with bold expectations but soon find themselves amidst unexpected adventures including naked parties, run-ins with the law, and affairs with a best friend’s brother. While this show is extremely unrealistic regarding what college parties are like, especially in terms of outfit choice, it does have key elements that send a powerful message to viewers. Leighton is forced to confront her own demons while working in the on-campus women’s center, where she meets the empowered and bold Alicia, played by actress Midori Francis. Bela grapples with sexual harassment in the rankings of the elite comedy club. Kimberly feels guilty over her torrid affair with Leighton’s brother after her high school boyfriend dumps her after taking her virginity. Whitney is forced to deal with the consequences of her actions and the predatory nature of her relationship with her coach.
Overall, the plot of the show is very cheesy at times. Despite there being an aspiring comedian in the foursome, there was not much to laugh about other than a nervous chuckle during scenes that produced the worst second-hand embarrassment. Unfortunately, there were quite a few scenes like that. It was an enjoyable watch experience and the show can be easily binged. Other than the first episode, which is an hour-long, the remaining episodes are no more than thirty minutes.
The diversity within the show is present but not acknowledged on-screen, which is an admirable quality of the directing. There is no sense of being politically choked nor promotion of diversity beyond the scenes themselves. This was a relief compared to other shows as it portrayed a diverse cast in a natural and realistic way that mirrors what students will encounter during their journeys to college.
Each character is incredibly unique and lovable in their own way, even if they tend to have a habit of embarrassing themselves. In this way, the show is incredibly realistic to most people’s freshman year of college. As the girls try to figure out their own identities and want, they make mistakes, they get angry, and they have to live with the consequences of their actions. Rooming with strangers, showering in a communal setting, experiencing parental pressure for success, and even dealing with the fallout of cleaning the mini-fridge are all amusing and relatable topics that the show covers. In that sense, the show portrays an accurate representation of freshman year.
In terms of the sex lives of each of the four roommates, all are dramatized for viewership. Since “sex” appears in the very title of the show, you would expect it to be more present throughout the plot. While there are sex scenes that are intense and amusing, however, there is more of an emphasis on the impact sex has on the girls than the actual act itself. This was one of the more interesting and eye-opening parts of the series that makes it worth a watch.
