‘The Riches’: The family that steals together

(Published May 19, 2008, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit
Contributor

The Malloy clan is probably one of the strangest TV families you’ll ever meet. They’re a tight group of con artists trying to pull off their most difficult scam yet in the unique drama “The Riches.”

The weekly series created by Dmitry Lipkin centers on a group of “travelers,” thieves that have subsisted and existed for generations in America by preying on virtually anyone who lets his guard down.

It’s uncommon for TV shows to use those that dabble in shady dealings as protagonists, but this unusual perspective--that of a thieving nomadic family’s--is innately intriguing. We’re hooked from the start, and more importantly, we root for these people we obviously wouldn’t care for in real life.

In “The Riches,” the family that steals together stays together. There’s a fascinating dynamic to a group that values mutual respect, while rationalizing its systematic preying on others.

Moving around in their RV for years, the Malloys have always been resourceful, constantly improvising and sneaking off with other people’s money wherever the road leads them. Interestingly, while they’re robbers, they don’t resort to violence to achieve their goals.

Fleeing a community of fellow thieves after some serious disagreements, Wayne Malloy (Eddie Izzard), his wife Dahlia (Emmy-nominated Minnie Driver) and their three kids ponder their uncertain future. In an ensuing chase, their pursuers cause a terrible road mishap that kills a rich couple. Well, make that the “Rich” couple. The Malloys try to resuscitate Doug and Cherien Rich, but fail. They visit the deceased’s posh, newly bought Louisiana home, and after much debating, they decide to move in and pose as the new neighbors, the Riches.

It’s a crazy idea, but surprisingly, it works. As a show, “The Riches” works, too; every episode of the first season offers different morality quandaries that strongly latch onto the familial and individual growth of the Malloys. It’s immensely satisfying to see the identity thieves scramble to maintain their cover, learn things they never expected, and as Wayne put it, “steal the American Dream!”

But it’s not solely about deception; half the time, there are crucial truths that this new life reveals to them. The origin and consequences of Dahlia’s secret drug addiction are creatively tackled, while Wayne’s compulsion for seemingly unconquerable challenges is consistently presented. Amusingly, their kids--brooding teen Cael (Noel Fisher), musically inclined Di Di (Shannon Marie Woodward), and cross-dressing Sam (Aidan Mitchell)--have assimilated into “normal” life quickly, without letting go of their real personalities and special skills.

While scenarios are rife with either smart humor or serious drama, the narrow escapes are hokey or too convenient occasionally, most notably when Izzard’s character whips up pep talks that don’t really make sense. These often manage to make him sound sagacious--even eccentric--to his new coworkers. But these don’t always work.

Despite this, you believe that this family is struggling really hard to adapt and blend in. And apart from siding with them, you’d easily enjoy watching this unconventional unit squirm through their unending charades.

“The Riches” airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on 2^nd Avenue.