It’s Not About Anna Delvey

Summary

The article discusses the nuanced portrayal of female relationships and ambitions in the context of the Netflix series "Inventing Anna," emphasizing that the story is less about the main character Anna Delvey and more about the women surrounding her.

Abstract

The author reflects on their experience watching "Inventing Anna," a Netflix series based on the true story of Anna Delvey, a con artist. Instead of focusing on Anna, the author is captivated by the stories and struggles of the women in Anna's orbit, including journalist Vivian, filmmaker Neff, and the author's own desire for a confidant like Kacy. The series is seen as a commentary on female friendships and the challenges women face in a male-dominated society, where success often hinges on relationships with other women. The author feels a sense of solidarity with the female characters, recognizing their ambitions and personal plights, despite the moral complexities of Anna's actions.

Opinions

The author is more interested in the female characters' personal journeys and relationships than in Anna Delvey's scandalous escapades.
There is a strong empathy for the journalist Vivian's dedication to her work, Neff's determination to pursue her filmmaking dreams, and Rachel's quest to recover her losses.
The author admires the character Kacy's integrity and her ability to encourage others to be their best selves.
The series highlights the importance of female friendships and the intricate dynamics of power and manipulation among women.
The author acknowledges the frustration in watching Anna manipulate other women but also finds it fascinating.
There is a sense of relief and satisfaction in seeing the series conclude, yet also an investment in the success of the female characters, whose ambitions resonate with the author's own experiences.
The article suggests that the audience, particularly women, may see their own aspirations and challenges reflected in the characters' stories.

…It’s about the women around her

My poor husband suffered a week of me binge watching Inventing Anna on Netflix.

“She’s ripped off a week of our evenings!” he fumed.

I didn’t care about Anna.

I cared about the journalist Vivian getting her story done before she went into labor.

I cared about Neff finding the gumption to make her own damn movie. I worried about Neff’s allegiance to her friend.

I was torn about Rachel, but I wanted her to get her money back.

And, I secretly wish I had my own Kacy, indifferent to anything but her own truth and willing to help others become their best selves.

My husband groaned “I thought it was supposed to be a mini series. Won’t it ever end?”

The world spins on female friendships.

And yeah, the series spins a lot on what it means for a woman to be successful in a male dominated world.

Anna goes to extreme, immoral measures to gain power. But much of the power she has hinges on her relationships with other women. She grows in authority (in part) by manipulating the integrity of the women who have her back.

It was in equal measures fascinating and frustrating to watch.

And yeah, I’m glad to have my evenings back too.

But also, I feel a weird solidarity with the ambitions of all the female characters: I’m vested in their success, because my plights (minus the banks accounts and fancy apartments) are mirrored in theirs.

So go ahead, make your partners suffer with you. It’s worth it.

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