Genres

You cant always get what you want. The Rolling Stones may have said it best, and it seems to be writer Hank Moodys theme song. David Duchovny (X Files) was born to play this sly, sarcastic, self-loathing, and--despite all the meaningless sex, booze, and fist fights--kind character. Writer Moody hates the Los Angeles world he lives in a world that turned his sharp best-seller into a cheesy date movie, where his young daughter and should-have-been wife (Natascha McElhone) are slipping away into the hands of a rich play-it-safe guy, and where everything he truly wants seems just out of his reach. But the man hasnt lost all hope. Happy endings may get a bad rap, but they do happen, he assures his daughter. And when they do, theyre just as true as the unhappy ones. One cant help but hope Hank finds his happy ending, because its with his family that his soft side surfaces. Hank takes no shame in trying to woo back his wife Karen, even if it is in front of her new fiance. He knows hes meant to be with her--plain and simple--and theres a glint in her eye that always makes you wonder if shes really thinking the same thing. And his daughter Becca? Well, any guy would melt against this guitar-wielding cutie (played by the adorable Madeleine Martin), but Hank really captures the Ill kick a lot of ass for my daughter mentality that so many dads harbor. Hes also fully prepared to drop a gorgeous woman at a moments notice to heed his daughters call.The rest of the cast, including Evan Handler (Sex and the City) and Pamela Adlon (Lucky Louie), provide some surprisingly interesting and hilarious side stories. Just when it seems situations in this show cant get any more ludicrous or disgusting, they most certainly do. Thats the beauty of it. Californication is a dark, coarse, edgy adult comedy. Its also very real, and quite intelligent.Sophisticated and unique, this comedy centers on novelist Hank Moody (David Duchovny) who struggles to raise his 13-year-old daughter, while still carrying a torch for his ex-girlfriend. His obsession with truth-telling and self destructive behavior -- drinks drugs and relationships -- are both destroying and enriching to his career.