Perfectly adorable

Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant

Did you people see the same film I saw?

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

First off, why is this show called Rake? It should be called Idiot since the main character is just that. There have been many endearing shows where the main character exhibits eccentricities, but this show takes it too far.Secondly, the cases presented thus far have all been recycled from other, better, legal dramas. Programs that at least take legality into consideration when writing their scripts.Thirdly, the humor (or better, attempted humor) in this program is more mean-spirited than funny, but only when it is not completely without taste.Fourthly, the supporting characters, such as the mayor, are just as corrupt and nonredeemable as the main character, as are their subordinates and associates.Fifthly, the main character seems fine with his teenage son having an affair with his high school teacher, although that really says more about the pathetic writing staff then the storyline itself.And lastly, when the characters on a scripted show behave worse than those in the current batch of reality show crap, then it's time to Rake that show under the carpet and pretend it was never there.

I really couldn't care less how this compares to the original Rake, I love this one (but I am excited to check out the original while waiting for new episodes). The first episode I was mildly interested in but by the third episode I was hooked. Some of the characters in this show are just so utterly ridiculous that you can't help but laugh out loud at them. In the first episode it seemed a little too ridiculous but after watching more episodes you see that no, they really are real people, and they get by just fine being who they are without any excuses. I've never seen anything like this show before but I love it. Humans being humans, nothing funnier.Edit: OK, so while waiting for new American episodes I'm checking out the original and I couldn't disagree more with the other reviews. The American version has me busting a gut laughing out loud while the Aussie version is more of a court room drama. The Aussie version is completely lacking in the sheer incredulity that makes the American version so hilarious. The dialogue and main character in the Aussie version seem too serious, he has it too together, whereas the main character in the American version is just barely hanging on by the skin of his teeth, which provides for far funnier situations and dialogue. I can only imagine that the reviewers preferring the Aussie version can't handle the American one, as they are quite different shows. The new one cranks it up to 11, it's the show that Rake should have been and now thankfully is.

Most of the criticisms of this show are based on comparisons to the Aussie version. Not having seen that one, I can just say that I am really enjoying this series. Why do I like it? Keegan Deane is an attorney who takes on some unusual cases, to say the least, yet his personal life is a mess. He is a compulsive gambler, alcoholic, and all around narcissist. He has a loan shark on his tail constantly, has no car, money or place to live...well, you get it. Yet, we manage to like him. Greg Kinnear is great in this role.I especially like the unique spin they put on some of Keegan's cases, such as the beard-cutting Amish and the cannibalism case. Tara Summers is great as his assistant, and I like that they don't employ the sexual tension angle, which in my opinion is way too overused. My main criticism of the show is that the editing is often choppy.Rake is compelling, fresh, energetic and funny. It seems that fans of the Aussie version want it to fail, but I hope it doesn't. I look forward to watching it!

Some remakes are good. Some are even great. This one is neither.I did try to stay open-minded. I survived 15 minutes of watching. The Aussie dude had charisma and that unbeatable confidence about him no matter what. That smart creativity and ability to enjoy life whatever the circumstance. This poor fella does act like a looser. No joy, no creativity, no intelligence. I do like the actor. It's just not his character. There is an American show like the original Rake AU — Boston Legal. Not identical but same adventure spirit. Just 1 star does not give justice though. It is okay to watch on a sofa with beer on a TV when nothing else is available. But for download, better new shows are available.