Rain Dogs

Costello is a single mum, trying to do her best for her daughter Iris, her life is chaotic, and the major cause is her best friend Selby, a gay man from an immensely privileged background.

I've waited until I've got through the whole thing before reviewing the series in general, by episode five I still couldn't quite work out just what it was, by the end of it, I just couldn't care less, all I knew, is that it's a great series.

It's funny, it's sad, it's relevant, it goes on to deal with several taboo subjects, there is some material here that I don't think I've seen tackled in any show, Costello's story with her mum for example, that was quite something.

A real snapshot of life in 2023, how tough it is, and just how people will do whatever they can to survive. Costello's relatively with Selby, it's sort of a toxic story of love and friendship, it's so complex, but so interesting, how many of us have that love/hate thing going on with people, nothing truly is black and white.

Daisy May Cooper sends out a huge signal ahead of her Bond role, totally deserving, she is phenomenal, as an actor and a writer, I have a feeling she's due to be something of a national treasure. Jack Farthing, what a contrast to his role on Poldark, he is phenomenal as Selby.

An awesome supporting cast, Anna Chancellor, Ronke Adekoluejo, Ade Edmondson, Siobhan Redmond and even Karl Pilkington.

Don't let this one pass you by.

9/10.

I've given this a 10. Honestly, it's more an 8/9 but with only 783 reviews at time of writing, the 97 reviews who have given this 1 stars were not giving it anywhere near a fair appraisal. When so few vote overall, this brings the average down unfairly. I hope people don't get put off. This is a good well written gritty British drama comedy with strong performances from a great cast. It's shot well and the sound and soundtrack accompany the scenes well.

Yes, it's annoying how the narrative centres on Costello chasing a book deal; for some reason I find watching people chasing dreams unobtainable to most, tiring. But the relationships between the characters are interesting and relatable, Florian is an entertaining troubled soul. Len the pervert is also a good bit of eccentric fun. I loved the scene where Costello gifts one of his paintings and the recipient et al try to interpret it.

All in all a great British production. Thank you.

It's like a jigsaw puzzle where all the emotional pieces don't go together yet somehow fit. Thus the overall picture has uneven, rough edges and a lack of symmetry.

Jack Farthing plays a brilliant but vile version of Hugh Grant complimented by Daisy May hiding her First in English Lit under her pebbledash exterior. Although at times it may seem to be writhing in the dysfunctional and lacking emotional empathy, it is real as a bag of mouldy potatoes. Drugs, gambling, cheating, lying, and glorious food banks are the norm, not romance, candlelit dinners or happy endings.

Take Ade Edmondson as the Lenny the perv. He epitomises disgusting and most would avoid writing his character like the bubonic. No hankies needed, just all be prepared like a good Boy Scout to be shocked.

Not nice but true.

I was so excited after watching the pilot: it felt like the freshest thing I'd seen in years. A novel and stimulating subject (the relationship between an upper class gay guy and an asbo single mother). It had enough 'trashiness' to keep things interesting despite the underlying sentimentality. The script was tight and punchy, the acting was mostly good (though I must say Daisy Cooper already lacked range).

Ep. 2 was not as good but I still had hopes. By Ep. 3 it was quite clear the writers first came up with the characters, and that the story was an afterthought. I've just watched Ep. 4 and it's only getting worse: or rather, getting nowhere. Bogged down with unnecessary sidekicks, the main characters fail to acquire complexity and are merely pushed further and further in the direction established in the pilot. Their relation is also rather flat and dialogues lack finesse. It's all around disappointing.

The series was marketed as a 'punk-rock romance' and I think it's quite an apposite description. There are two 'punk rock' areas in London: Camden and Hoxton. The first is full of has been tourists and a few crusties, the second is full of bankers and art school hipsters. Rain Dogs is 'punk rock' the Hoxton way: it's filled with intriguing and colourful character, but ultimately it's all navel-gazing passing itself as rebellion.

Not sure after 3 amazing episodes how this is floating in the 6-7 range.

I give it 10 out 19 hooked. C'mon episode 4!!!

I hope to see at least 4-5 seasons with this amAzing cast. It keeps you so intrigued you want to know the next move and can't wait for the next episode. I really wish I was able to binge watch it.

There is not a better British show on tv right now and the fact this is on Crave is unreal. Please do at least 5 seasons with this main cast you could go to Hogwarts and it would still be so interesting. We are so in the dark and can't wait for Ruton Rixton or whatever Mate. Keep it up!!! Here in Canada we love it !