Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

recommended

just watch it!

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

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...

I would give season one a 10, and season two was pretty good also. After that, no one could seem to get over being so small, petty, and unimportant. It was irritating to watch. It was a simple fest of 'who will let who down this episode'. It simply rotates among the characters and I wish they would just all end up in jail and end the series.

but have rectified that with desperate anticipation driven out of absolute addiction.It is magnificently written, cast, structured and performed. What makes it most riveting to those of us blessed with living in and around the actual locations and situations, is that lots of the stories are absolutely true (given a few exaggerations here and there) with "only the names changed to protect the guilty".I can't imagine how they got filming permission for the scenes in the actual NSW parliament, when the story line revolved around the rottenness of our recently evicted government.If only the real party hacks were as funny as their corruption is real. Maybe we could actually forgive them. Instead they are dull, boring, incompetent and corrupt, very little amusement value there.Hard to imagine anyone ever playing the role of Cleaver Green to the hilt the way Richard Roxborough has. Having seen the dull, American rendition, makes Richard's performance only shine the more brilliantly.I hope there are many more series in the pipeline. This show is honestly the best I have seen in decades. Right up there with Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones. And a whole lot funnier! :)

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.