22 February 2008

"The Riches"

I just started watching the first season of the FX show "The Riches" and I have to say that I like it very much. The basic premise is a family of American gypsies (who get by as con-men) are forced out of their community and through a series of events end up taking over the lives of a couple who die in a car accident on their way to their new home.

They pick up a theme of "stealing the American Dream" and while that may seem corny the way it develops (at least in the three episodes that I've watched) is one member of the family buying into the American Dream at a time out of spite from people saying they can't have things. And when you think about it, that is what the American dream is built on. People fighting for the things they are told they can't have.

Also it stars Eddie Izzard, Minnie Driver, Shannon Marie Woodward, Noel Fisher, and Aidan Mitchel three good child actors. Izzard brings his usual talent to the screen (although dressed as a man in this production).

Izzard is at his best when he is the con man with no hook on his audience, making up random things as he goes and slowly sucking people into it. Check it out.