Pretend It's a City

Fran Lebowitz and Martin Scorsese’s Love Letter to New York in Pretend It’s a City

Netflix’s Pretend It’s a City (2021) is a seven-part docuseries that feels less like a traditional show and more like an extended, unfiltered conversation between two New York icons: writer Fran Lebowitz and filmmaker Martin Scorsese. The series, which blends sharp wit, nostalgia, and unvarnished opinions, latestnetflix.com contends, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the city through the eyes of someone who’s spent decades observing it—and the director who’s immortalized it on screen.

A Scorsese-Lebowitz Collaboration Years in the Making

The pairing of Scorsese and Lebowitz isn’t new. The two have been friends for years, bonded by their shared love of New York and its idiosyncrasies. Lebowitz, a longtime public intellectual and author, has been a fixture in the city’s cultural scene since the 1970s, while Scorsese’s films—from Taxi Driver to The Wolf of Wall Street—have defined New York’s cinematic identity. Their collaboration on Pretend It’s a City feels like a natural extension of that friendship, with Scorsese stepping behind the camera to capture Lebowitz’s unscripted, often hilarious takes on everything from gentrification to public transit.

The series’ trailer teases a mix of archival footage, candid interviews, and Lebowitz’s signature deadpan delivery, suggesting a project that’s equal parts documentary and performance. While the exact origins of the series remain unclear, the chemistry between the two is undeniable—Scorsese’s direction gives Lebowitz a platform to riff on the city’s past and present, while her unfiltered commentary provides the kind of raw, unpolished energy that’s become her trademark.

Controversy and Criticism

Not everything about Pretend It’s a City has been met with praise. Some viewers have accused Lebowitz of making transphobic remarks in the series, with clips circulating online showing Scorsese laughing along . The controversy underscores the tension between Lebowitz’s reputation as a provocateur and the series’ broader appeal. While the show positions her as a witty, no-nonsense New Yorker, her comments have sparked debates about the line between edgy humor and outright offense.

The series has also faced pushback from unexpected corners. A parody titled "Pretend It’s a Talent" emerged as a rebuttal to the Netflix project, though details about its origins and intent remain scarce. Whether this was a genuine critique or a tongue-in-cheek response is unclear, but it highlights the polarizing nature of Lebowitz’s persona.

A Mini-Series with Big Personalities

Beyond Lebowitz and Scorsese, Pretend It’s a City features appearances from other New York luminaries, including Spike Lee and Alec Baldwin [TMDB]. Their involvement suggests a project that’s as much about celebrating the city’s cultural legacy as it is about Lebowitz’s singular perspective. The series’ format—a mix of interviews, archival footage, and observational segments—gives it a loose, conversational feel, as if viewers are eavesdropping on a particularly lively dinner party.

With a runtime of 29 minutes per episode and a rating of 7.2/10 on SensCritique , Pretend It’s a City isn’t aiming for blockbuster status. Instead, it’s a niche offering for fans of Lebowitz’s writing, Scorsese’s filmmaking, and the kind of unfiltered New York storytelling that’s increasingly rare in an era of polished, algorithm-driven content.

The Verdict: A Love Letter with Sharp Edges

Pretend It’s a City is, at its core, a love letter to New York—but one that doesn’t shy away from the city’s flaws. Lebowitz’s commentary is equal parts insightful and inflammatory, while Scorsese’s direction ensures the series feels like a natural extension of their long-standing friendship. Whether it’s a critical darling or a divisive experiment depends largely on the viewer’s tolerance for Lebowitz’s brand of humor.

For those who appreciate her wit, the series is a must-watch. For others, it may serve as a reminder that New York’s cultural icons aren’t always as progressive as the city they represent.