In “My Brilliant Friend,” we watch two friends, sometimes rivals if not enemies, Elena “Lenu” Greco and Raffaella “Lila” Cerullo, grow up together. Both are brilliant, as the title of the show implies, but have diverging opportunities. Elena’s family is supportive of her intelligence and advocates for her to go off to college and make the family proud. Lila? Her intelligence comes with audacity, and with lacking the support of her family, she seeks autonomy and power in her hometown through various relationships to gain some sense of safety.
Together and apart, these women age, have children, love affairs, and both infuriate and sharpen each other. But, when things get too far beyond even their vast capabilities, they find themselves able to lean on one another.
My Brilliant Friend: Season 3 – Summary/ Review (with Spoilers)
From raising children, creating new families, and rediscovering themselves, Elena and Lila may struggle in their friendship but find ways to flourish in their individual lives.
My Brilliant Friend: Season 1 – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)
My Brilliant Friend is a true statement to the power of girls and young women despite a world which tries to undermine and oppress them.
We jump through at least 2 or so years as Elena gets married and has her first two children while struggling immensely in her personal and professional life.
With feeling like she’d be better as a big fish in a small pond, Lila makes it her goal to return to the neighborhood, and Elena lays the groundwork for that to happen.
As the vacation comes to an end, both Elena and Lila are faced with a change in their life. One neither were prepped for but realized must happen if they desire happiness.