How sad is this?

Great Film overall

Expected more

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

This show has got to be one of the most brilliantly written shows I'VE ever seen. The character of Cleaver is laugh out loud funny- his dialogue and those of others- make other tv shows seem like they were filmed underwater. It is outrageously clever and hilarious... Don't know what else to say but I'm so addicted... and I hope they keep this on for as long as possible. In such an age where politically correct bs seems to win the day- Cleaver's approach to cut things down to size is so REFRESHING. This is what TV was meant to be- not the other sorry ass drivel they pimp as tv... Thank the heavens for Mr. Cleaver and gang...

The lower rating is for the constant swearing (which most of the characters do). The protagonist, Cleaver Greene, is the worst offender of all; but based upon his character, this is what one might expect. Sometimes, a script filled with obscenities and profanities simply means that the writers lack imagination; but that is not the case here. In the original blurb, the emphasis is on the cases which Cleaver takes on; but the real emphasis of the show is upon the self- destructive Cleaver Green and those people associated with him. The cases, for the most part, are secondary to the characters. Whereas, Cleaver's actions and motivations tend to make sense; some of the secondary characters sometimes do things simply to "drama up" the plot. I have seen this occur in many Australian dramas. It is as if the writer decides, "What we need right now is a good adulterous relationship; followed by a lot of drama." Sometimes it works; and sometimes it feels quite forced. This is not to say that the series is poorly written; because the writing is generally very good, with the reservations noted. Whereas Cleaver is not always the most likable or sympathetic of characters, the actor who plays him does a tremendous job, so that, even if you sometimes don't like Cleaver, you still have concern for the things which he gets himself into (and the majority of his problems are self-caused). I have nearly completed the 3rd season; and it is quite funny (but it requires knowledge of the characters to appreciate most of the humor; so, it requires you watching the first two seasons). When humor comes from the characters and their actions and dialogue, that is generally the best humor. So far, the 3 seasons have their own story arcs, but without them seeing too artificial (as sometimes story arcs can seem). For those who are in it for the sex scenes, if memory serves there is no nudity or so little that I cannot recall it. Most of the Australian dramas are like this. If I were to guess, most of the top stars have it written into their contract not to do nudity. This is not a program I would allow children of any age to watch; but it is entertaining. It is certainly not what you would share in a church group.

I was thinking how this was an even darker version of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Sure, Cleaver is a pr^ck, a drunk, a user, a misanthrope, misogynist and all around thoroughly corrupt bast^rd but the sad fact is that quite nearly everyone around him is a pathological narcissist who will do literally anything to anyone to suit their own aims. He's an antihero surrounded by utterly self unaware gleeful sociopaths. You can't fault his bitter nihilism in the face of it. From his ex wife to his solicitor to his solicitor's wife to his girlfriends and girlfriends other lovers his crazy bookie to the judges and officials and hacks and clowns they're not even lying to themselves about how shallow and awful are they truly do not know and never will. It's a modern day version of Alexander Pope's "Dunciad"

Every once in a (long) while the Australian TV industry can dig up a gem. You're never quite sure which network will produce the next 'East West 101' or 'MDA', but chances are that an intriguing new show will turn up on the government-owned ABC. That is certainly the case with 'Rake', which I understand has been signed off for a third season - and is also the model for an American version to go into production shortly. I wouldn't have bothered writing a review for this series, but felt compelled to respond to remarks from reviewer colbur-1. Many of the actors making cameo appearances in this show are well-known names, as other reviewers have noted, but of the regulars probably only Richard Roxburgh would be well known outside the framework of this series. Regrettably, I don't see any of the "cringeworthy jingoism" or 1960s insularity. This is an immensely entertaining show if you can stand the robust language and moral ambivalence. But even in that context the heroic stature of Matt Day's character serves as a foil to Roxburgh's. The beauty of this series, beyond the wonderful character development, is that the stories overcome that stumbling block of Australian film and TV: mediocre script writing. Being based on reality and frequently drawing on true life situations 'Rake' eases willing suspension of disbelief even as it descends further into the surreal.It's a show that will shock and amuse; it's by no means a typical sitcom, but it's real life, with its flawed villains and cynics - mostly with their redeeming virtues. Even farm girl-turned-mobster and part-time lusty wench Kirsty - played by Robyn Malcolm - has her own reasons for her actions. And if that isn't enough to draw you in to watch this show, I don't know what will.