Sam Raimi series "Rake" tells of a lawyer and his affairs

 On Fox began “Rake” – Sam Raimi comedy-drama about the lawyer, who has problems with society and the law.

Keegan Dean (Greg Kinnear) – exemplary lawyer in court and absolutely amoral character beyond. Earning his vices more or less standard for the series about California: knowledgeably drinks, plays poker, enters into casual relationships, loves prostitute (Bozena Novakovic), always quarrels with his ex-wife (Miranda Otto from “Lord of the Rings”), occupied the sofa family friend and obscenely long time can not return a large amount of mafia. With his talent lawyer to get the money is not a problem, but kind-hearted Dean always unlucky with customers. That will get poor Japanese shopkeeper instead sent the fee huge container with tuna. That famous serial killer, who decided after thirty years in prison to plead not guilty. Penetrating into the details of his case, Keegan picks scandal that could cost career and Mayor of Los Angeles, and the chief of police of the city. Crusade begins generally successful, but some of the circumstances put lawyer a choice: either glory and a huge fee, or a clear conscience and justice for all.

In any case, ahead of Dean in big trouble.

“Rake” began with a vigorous and exciting episode, in which, however, there was no place complex legal machinations. While it is rather a series of series of “what would happen if Hank Moody became a lawyer” than procedural exciting show. Despair, however, too early. First, a collision with a serial maniac very nonstandard. Secondly, the original Australian series “Rake” also became the intellectual show not immediately. It is not only a hero who defended: bigamist, cannibal zoophyte, racist – and ended each case a little bit wrong, as I would like the viewer.

For the American version of the show invented new stories – a little less scandalous (Fox – it’s not Showtime), but just as unpredictable.

In addition, the remake took an interesting team. Adaptation has been escaped to Hollywood from Australia Peter Duncan, creator of the original show. Except it produces the series and partially lifts Sam Raimi, author of “The Evil Dead” and “Spider-Man”, once even appointed director on the film «World of Warcraft». In Raimi’s black humor and passion for shocking the public, but at the same time he knows how to fight for audience sympathy. Probably under his supervision “Rake” grow a decent alternative “Lie to Me” or “House”. At least, of charm in Oscar nominee Greg Kinnear (“Could not be better”, “Kennedy clan”, “Modern Family”) is not exactly less than Hugh Laurie.

Anyway, Kinnear alone and in the first episode took legal bar wonderful comedy “Defenders” with James Belushi and Jerry O’Connell.

But that episode, however, was closed after the first season. Ironic approach to the tangled affairs viewers did not like: critics noted that the show lacks the dramatic anguish and legal details. “Rake” while walking on the same slippery slope – see how it will last. In any case, one season of fun and resourceful circus in court – it is always better than ten seasons of “serious drama.”

Sam Raimi series "Rake" tells of a lawyer and his affairs