Enlightened (Series Cinemax)

Laura Dern and Luke Wilson in HBO's "Enlightened" Credits: Shot in La and Hawaii by Rip Cord. Executive producers, Mike Whitened, Laura Dern co-executive producers, Miguel Arteta, Edward Saxon producers, David Bernad, Jason Weinberg, Timothy Marx co-producer, Gianna Wise author-director, Whitened story by Whitened, Dern.Amy Jellicoe - Laura Dern Levi - Luke Wilson Helen - Diane Ladd Krista - Sarah Burns Dougie - Timm Sharp Judy - Amy Hill Tyler - Mike WhiteShowtime has excelled in a certain type of attention-getting half-hour -- high-concept series featuring large-title female leads, with styles (cancer substance abuse multiple personas) that practically market themselves. By comparison, it's difficult to think about a lesser concept than HBO's "Enlightened," an offbeat showcase for Laura Dern that, after watching four episodes, still is not completely obvious regarding its intentions. At the disposal of author/co-star Mike Whitened, that isn't entirely bad, however the unorthodox tone and psychologically fragile protagonist suggest this strange journey of self-discovery will harbor narrow appeal even by pay TV's refined standards. Dern's Amy includes a jaw-shedding meltdown at the office within the opening moments, getting been moved from her job in a large corporation after an affair gone wrong together with her married boss (Timm Sharp). An idyllic, existence-altering interlude in a counseling retreat in Hawaii follows, where she cavorts with ocean turtles, finds inner-peace and starts soothingly narrating her very own spiritual reclamation. "I'll change. And I'll be a real estate agent of change," Amy states in voice-over, following her epiphany. Upon her return, though, Amy's harmony is examined repeatedly. Her former assistant (Sarah Burns) continues to be marketed, while she has been consigned towards the bowels of the organization, encircled by other nonwinners (included in this one performed by Whitened). Her ex-husband (Luke Wilson), while mostly supportive, does not wish to accomplish much but sit around smoking pot and her mother (Diane Ladd, Dern's real-existence mother) examines her like she just beamed lower in the Enterprise. Can Amy maintain her new-found tranquility and discover -- or maintain -- the peace she professes to possess accomplished, especially inside a conglomerate that cares not really a whit about her? Whitened appears going to test that time, with Amy's unnervingly upbeat exterior (which recalls the religiously converted in Michael Tolkin's "The Rapture") from time to time giving method to fits of rage that suggest her Modern transformation has not fully taken hold. It's possible to understand why Dern (who shares story credit with Whitened) was attracted towards the role -- and possibly even why Cinemax would gamble on somebody as notoriously idiosyncratic because the director, whose indie-film sensibility (see "Chuck & Buck" and "The Great Girl") has pay-TV written throughout it. Nevertheless, it's tough to determine to whom "Enlightened" is supposed, concurrently mocking and exalting the self-help movement, without really showing precisely where it stands. With that measure, the show's ethereal characteristics are interesting in places but never particularly informative, and it is pairing with HBO's cool but considerably larger "Bored to Dying" -- within the latest make an effort to expand the channel's original-series footprint to Monday nights -- feels as though a particularly low-wattage combination. Ultimately, "Enlightened" creates its quixotic mission -- the lengthy uphill slog of creating a set around making the crowd uncomfortable. Personal growth may be within the cards for Dern's broken heroine. Altering the laws and regulations of TV gravity is most likely another matter entirely.Camera, Lawrence Sher production designer, Richard Hoover editor, Take advantage of Frazen music, Carter Burwell casting, Cami Patton, Jennifer Lare. 30 MIN. Contact John Lowry at john.lowry@variety.com