Riches: Season 1 DVD: Review By Dodd

Since the advent and success of series on HBO, television has since received an edgy makeover. While the major networks were trying to develop programs that were entertaining while simultaneously pleasing the censors, HBO would tackle adult content in ways never accomplished in television. Ever since these shows became popular, standard cable networks have taken it upon themselves to follow in the footsteps of Tony Soprano. While not "everything" is generally permitted on basic cable, certain networks decided it was time to take more risks. One of the more prominent of these networks is F/X, and one of its more biting efforts is the latest comedy/drama series The Riches. While the second season is making its debut on cable, the first season is now available on DVD for some obsessive catching up.

Eddie Izzard stars as Wayne Malloy, a "traveler" (better known as a gypsy) who drives around in an old motor home with his children Cael (Noel Fisher), Di Di (Shannon Marie Woodward) and Sam (Aidan Mitchell). All three of his kids are a chip off the old block with Cael lifting car stereos, Di Di charming the pants off of unsuspecting targets, and young Sam obsessively dressing in girls' clothing to both feed his urges and trick people with some extra dough. The family is also about to pick up estranged matriarch Dahlia (Minnie Driver) from prison.

So what are a family of gypsies to do with no set schedule and the open road? This family would likely be traveling from town to town lifting wallets, but their luck changes when they come across the bodies of Mr and Mrs. Doug Rich, who are on their way to move into a brand new home in a millionaire gated community. The beauty of this pair dying in front of the Malloy clan is that it gives Wayne the perfect idea for a scheme. If no one in the neighborhood knows what the Riches look like, wouldn't it be simple to just take their place. Indeed they do assume the role of the Rich family and get by surprisingly easy. This is until the obstacles of life are thrown their way. Doug must pose as a lawyer to work for a slimy real estate mogul (Gregg Henry) while hot-tempered gypsy cousin Dale (Todd Stashwick) is looming in the distance wondering to where his relatives have suddenly vanished.

The Riches is the type of premise that would usually be thrown away on a bad sitcom. The idea is very trite and would make for some wacky antics that may be funny for one season, but then loose steam. However, creator Dmitri Lipkin knows how to deal with the storyline, and that is in small and subtle doses. Some may even find the show boring because it takes the obstacles of the family one small step at a time. One episode it is the family deciding how to lie to a longtime friend of the real Riches, while the next episode it is all about blending the scammer kids into an uppity private school. However, the clincher has to be the constant tension from the lies being told. Never have I felt so much suspense and unease from people rattling off fibs as I have from watching this family of con artists.

The real heart comes from the performances. Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver are both British performers who slip into their roles like chameleons. This is certainly so here where they play American swindlers with very little class pumping through their veins. Driver is especially engaged with her Southern accent that never goes unbroken. A special honorable mention also goes to Gregg Henry who is typecast as a pig in every project he does and always finishes the job with flying colors. Just listening to this sc*mbag talk sometimes made me want to take a shower.

Commentary

Creator Dmitry Lipkin and Eddie Izzard pep things up on only two episodes of the entire set. It is unfortunate they do not make their presence on more episodes because they seem excited to be spouting off on the series. Eddie Izzard is particularly and unsurprisingly animated like his stand up comedy; although the duo does lose steam from time to time.

Webisodes

This is a fun collection of shorts that debuted on the internet featuring Wayne Malloy and his children Cael and Di Di. Each episode features the trio hanging out in the camper teaching each other swindles to pull on the regular folk.

The DVD also features a couple of promo pieces and a gag reel.

Widescreen (1.78:1) Television has made a cinematic breakthrough in quality and this show is no exception. On my HD television, the show looks intense in its widescreen format.

5.1 Dolby. The thing worth mentioning here would be the theme song by Henry Gregson Williams and some of the soundtrack tunes

The show comes on four discs that are neatly packed in two slimline cases, which come together in a nice sleeve. The front cover has Izzard and Driver pictured.

The Riches is one of those shows that is a guilty and addictive pleasure. The title family are a group of stone-cold liars that are the bad guys, yet we find ourselves rooting for them through every painful lie. The suspense rests on the one major question, "How long can this family keep up the charade?" If you get your hands on the DVD, you will certainly latch on to every episode to find out. I highly recommend picking this up for the television DVD collection.

Questions? Comments? Just want to talk movies? Drop me a line at dodd@movieweb.com