The Get Down is the Bronx in 1978. Suddenly you are there, walking past graffiti-covered trains, singing along to disco tunes, dancing down the street. You pass vibrant neighborhoods, riddled with crime. A few blocks away, plumes of smoke rise above the rooftops. Landlords are paying to have their buildings burnt, collecting more in insurance than they do in rent. Drugs are everywhere and drug dealers are idols. The Bronx is suffering, and politicians are more invested in the borough’s voting potential than in aiding the people in the fight against poverty. Yet in the midst of this plight, the Bronx lives in music and art. It’s 1978 and soul, punk, and hip hop are colliding.
This period piece seamlessly addresses a multitude of problems, weaves them together, and offers music as the solution. Music has the power to speak for a culture, a generation, and an attitude. The Get Down offers diversity in the styles of music featured and the problems that each represents. For Mylene, disco offers an escape from the Bronx. Her angelic voice has the potential to give rise to endless opportunities as long as her father, a priest, doesn’t crush her dreams, preaching disco as the devil’s music. Mylene represents the clash between the young and old, and the commitment of the younger generation to a better future. Zeke starts out rather apathetic, but Mylene’s ambition inspires him to pursue rap and to stand up and showcase his talents, not hold himself back with doubt. While his initial mentality embodied that of many at the time who thought nothing could be done to save the Bronx and were unwilling to fight for improvement, Zeke’s rap evolves into something political and revolutionary. Dizzee is a graffiti artist involved in the punk scene, and represents the need for self-expression despite the pressure of officials to end graffiti. The problems facing the Bronx were just as multifaceted as the music scene in the late 70s, and the two become incredibly intertwined in The Get Down.
With a relevant and cohesive plot, The Get Down is characteristic of most Netflix Originals. The show’s creation by Baz Luhrmann comes as an added bonus; Luhrmann is known for his extravagant style in films like The Great Gatsby, Moulin Rouge!, and Romeo + Juliet, yet the Burning Bronx is not exactly known for its decadence. Nonetheless, his vision is apparent in the tasteful romance he brings to the Bronx through costumes and sets. He contrasts run-down apartments and dirty streets with extraordinary clothing, bringing color and charm to the characters. He has created a show through a creative lens, allowing viewers to see the best of the Bronx. The vibrance of the period is clear, and through Luhrmann’s emphasis on the arts, he shows hope for the neglected borough.