10 Best Netflix Originals From 2021
7. Pretend It's a City
This conversational docuseries is as witty and charming as you would expect it to be, with Martin Scorsese behind the camera and Fran Lebowitz in front of it, talking about their beloved New York City.
Released in January 2021, but recorded before the pandemic had started, Pretend It's a City has a certain duality to it. Watching it during a lockdown feels like seeing a document of a time when the cities were vibrant and full of people, which can come across as both hopeful and nostalgic at the same time.
Lebowitz is the undisputed star of the show and seemingly the vehicle through which New York City itself speaks. Listening to her speak about her relationship with The Big Apple can be intoxicating and hook you in within minutes. There are moments when it might seem pretentious, self-indulgent, or intentionally high-brow, but they are negligible when compared to the emotion that sits behind every word.