The Riches. Verdict - so far, pretty damned awesome.

[tzikeh]

Word about The Ri¢hes is slowly making its way across fannish livejournal. I TiVoed it and just got around to watching the pilot tonight. Wow. Not what I was expecting in terms of tone, but I really enjoyed it. I don't want to give away anything of the set-up or plot, really, because this is quite different in terms of television stories - pretty original.

I first heard about it when I caught a preview on FX that was nothing but Eddie Izzard, in character, talking. I love it when he's given a dramatic role to play (it happens so rarely on screen, but on stage he's done several plays and was nominated for a Tony Award for A Day in the Death of Joe Egg in 2003.)

The pilot, which by nature must contain set-up exposition, is crafted to do so rather subtly. For example, we slowly discover an important fact about Izzard's character which a lesser should would simply have spelled out. Izzard does supply the bulk of the funny moments, but they are not his "Eddie Izzard" stand-up persona schtick. They're intrinsic to the character he plays.

The cast is uniformly top-notch. Minnie Driver is absolutely (cliché alert) a revelation here. It goes to show what actors can do when given the right material and time to work on it. So many actors out there are probably far better than they are even given the chance to prove; I'm really glad she got this role. Complete eye-opener. I never thought she was a *bad* actress, but I had no idea she had this in her. The three children (two teens and a younger child) are in no way precocious or cloying, nor are the performers "child actor"-like.

I don't want to oversell the product; this isn't The Sopranos or The Wire, but it is definitely worth giving a shot to find out if it's your cup of tea. If you're interested, check your FX schedule to see if/when they're re-running the pilot in your area, or find other ways to get your hands on it. The show airs Mondays at 10pm Eastern.

<shallow>Eddie looks HOT, and we get naked Eddie having sex with Minnie</shallow>

Comments

[penwiper26.livejournal.com]

It sounds really good. I'll have to get me some regular access to a TV soon.

And that icon gets me EVERY SINGLE TIME. *rolls*

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

Et maintenant je doit de partir parce-que ma grandmère est flambé...

[misspamela.livejournal.com]

You've tipped me over the edge! I'm compelled to check it out.

That goes on the iTunes purchase list as soon as I get some cash.

[arallara.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed it, too, and I also was kind of surprised by the tone. In a good way! I'm not even sure what I expected exactly, but the show was something other than whatever that was. And I was also struck by how it felt so original, even though, when I really thought about it, there were all kinds of narrative elements that were fairly conventional. Maybe it was the way they were put together, or the way the characters that could have been very conventional were given all these idiosyncratic notes, or maybe just the interesting performances from pretty much every actor.

In any case, I was sucked into the story and the emotional life of the characters pretty much right away, and that doesn't often happen with a pilot, so I'm definitely going to keep checking it out.

[jackiekjono.livejournal.com]

*best sex scene evar*

[carla-scribbles.livejournal.com]

Oooh.

Here's hoping my Source for other FX shows (ohhhhh, Dirt, how I love you in all your trashy cracked-out glory) comes through with this one, as I've been hearing a lot of good things.

[grace-om.livejournal.com]

I was hooked as well :-) Loved their relationship: the rushed and not terribly satisfying sex that's all they can fit in after throwing the kids out in the rain (but they have a good laugh at least), their fights...and when she tells him how she thought about him every day in prison...the way she says it...

And I love the neighbor who takes Minnie's meltdown totally in stride, offering her the middle class version of crack to get over it...

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

My goal in life - tipping people over the edge.

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

You know? I think I truly agree with you.

[einatlanta.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the reveiw; I was sowndering if this would be worth following. I love Izzard, but he doesn't always pick the best scripts *coughG-Girlcough*

[flyingtapes.livejournal.com]

You know, I loved "The Riches." I downloaded it off-handedly on the reccomendation of a friend, expecting to just watch it out of the corner of my eye, but soon all my attention was captured by this incredible gem of a show. Eddie Izzard is brilliant--which is unsurprising, but the deft subtlety with which he plays Wayne just blew me out of the water. And Minnie Driver? My god, she brought out all her acting chops for this role and it shows.

I felt a little like I'd been dealt an emotional blow after watching it, and that's how I knew it was a good one. I'm eager to watch the next ep now.