At Home with the Braithwaites - The Complete First Series

Starring:Amanda Redman, Peter Davison, Lynda Bellingham, Sylvia Syms, Julie Graham, Kevin Doyle, Sarah Smart, Adam Rayner, Neil Stuke, Keeley Fawcett, Ray Stevenson, Elizabeth Rider, James Carlton (II), Ishia Bennison, Ben Douglas, Simon Molloy, Emily Glennister, Zara Chivers, Tom Stanyon, Hazel Douglas
Director: Dan Zeff, Andy DeEmmony, Matthew Evans (III)
Studio: Acorn Media
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Superb writing and outstanding performances make the first series of this British comedy-drama completely compelling. The Braithwaite family has its fights and dysfunctions, but chances are they would have gone on for years without improving or falling apart--until Alison (Amanda Redman, Sexy Beast), the mother, wins 38 million pounds in a lottery. She decides to keep it secret, fearing that sudden wealth might bring out the worst in her banker husband David (Peter Davison, Campion, Doctor Who) and her temperamental daughters (Sarah Smart, Sarah Churm, and Keeley Fawcett). Instead, she sets up a foundation to help people in need. But she's not the only one in the family with secrets--and when they start coming out, it's hard to stop.

The skillful plot of At Home with the Braithwaites tightens like a noose over six propulsive episodes. Every turn of the plot is driven by these well-crafted characters with richly human strengths and weaknesses. Alison could have been an annoying do-gooder, but Redman makes her noble efforts down to earth; David could have been an utter weasel--and in fact, he is, but Davison earns our respect by making him real as well. The show has some conventional suspenseful bits (there's even a car chase at one point), but the most gripping elements are ordinary people grappling with everyday problems; the money sets the story in motion, but the characters make it move. --Bret Fetzer
Description
On her 40th birthday, Alison Braithwaite gets the surprise of her life when she wins 38 million in the first Euro Lottery. She decides to keep the news of her win from her family so as not to encourage the baser instincts of her three squabbling daughters and banker husband. But she's not the only one living a double life. As her family lurches from one crisis to another, Alison tries to use her windfall responsibly, resisting the pressure to let her family in on her secret. Eventually, though, all the Braithwaite secrets come tumbling out in one big pile of dirty linen.

Amazon.com

Superb writing and outstanding performances make the first series of this British comedy-drama completely compelling. The Braithwaite family has its fights and dysfunctions, but chances are they would have gone on for years without improving or falling apart--until Alison (Amanda Redman, Sexy Beast), the mother, wins 38 million pounds in a lottery. She decides to keep it secret, fearing that sudden wealth might bring out the worst in her banker husband David (Peter Davison, Campion, Doctor Who) and her temperamental daughters (Sarah Smart, Sarah Churm, and Keeley Fawcett). Instead, she sets up a foundation to help people in need. But she's not the only one in the family with secrets--and when they start coming out, it's hard to stop.

The skillful plot of At Home with the Braithwaites tightens like a noose over six propulsive episodes. Every turn of the plot is driven by these well-crafted characters with richly human strengths and weaknesses. Alison could have been an annoying do-gooder, but Redman makes her noble efforts down to earth; David could have been an utter weasel--and in fact, he is, but Davison earns our respect by making him real as well. The show has some conventional suspenseful bits (there's even a car chase at one point), but the most gripping elements are ordinary people grappling with everyday problems; the money sets the story in motion, but the characters make it move. --Bret Fetzer

Description

On her 40th birthday, Alison Braithwaite gets the surprise of her life when she wins 38 million in the first Euro Lottery. She decides to keep the news of her win from her family so as not to encourage the baser instincts of her three squabbling daughters and banker husband. But she's not the only one living a double life. As her family lurches from one crisis to another, Alison tries to use her windfall responsibly, resisting the pressure to let her family in on her secret. Eventually, though, all the Braithwaite secrets come tumbling out in one big pile of dirty linen.

A smash hit in the U.K., this cutting-edge dramatic comedy stars acclaimed actress Amanda Redman (Sexy Beast) with Peter Davison (Campion, Dr. Who), Lynda Bellingham (My Uncle Silas), and Sylvia Syms (The Jury).

Customer Reviews:

GREAT SERIES!!.......2005-09-07

I love this series. It is a very complex mix of family characters...in ONE family. Very nicely done, very intelligent...very entertaining.

A First-Rate British Comedy-Drama!.......2005-06-15

This boxed set contains the complete first series (six 50-minute episodes from 2000) of what is a fast-paced, hilarious, mildly suspenseful comedy-drama. The series centres around Alison Braithwaite (Amanda Redman--New Tricks, Hope and Glory), a middle-aged housewife who wins 38 million pounds on the lottery. The problems begin when she decides not to tell her family, who (save for Charlotte, her youngest daughter) are a materialistic, petty, and less-than-responsible lot. Though somewhat deceitful, her decision is understandable. What we quickly discover, however, is that this is not the only deception or secret kept by a member of this family. Alison's husband (Peter Davison--All Creatures Great and Small, The Last Detective, Campion)--unbeknownst to her or anyone else--has been having an affair with his secretary, whilst eldest daughter Virginia is a flighty, closet homosexual besotted with the next-door neighbour (an attractive but vain, self-centred actress). All this is revealed in the first episode, and as I don't want to give too much away, I will only say that as the series progresses, the deceptions and secrets multiply and the tension builds tremendously.

The pace of this series reminds me of a rollercoaster ride. There are times when we coast (and have a chance to catch our breath), but for the most part it feels like we're careening downhill as everything seems to be spiralling out of control. We watched one episode of this series every Friday night, and never have I found it so hard to wait a week to watch the next episode. I have no idea what to expect with the second series, as the first one was so good, but I'm definitely looking forward to seeing it. And to think, I'd never even heard of this series prior to getting it and almost didn't get it!

In conclusion, like Cold Feet (another excellent series), this is a modern comedy-drama and not appropriate for family viewing; but though for mature audiences, it's not a dirty show (like so many of the modern comedies put out by BBC nowadays). I highly, highly recommend At Home With The Braithwaites to anyone looking for a really entertaining, fast-paced, well-acted, funny, suspensy comedy-drama. The accents are not heavy, and whether one is a fan of British television in particular or not, it's certainly worth checking out. There are not many shows that are this entertaining, and I personally am very glad I took a chance on it.

Very highly recommended!

Really fun!.......2005-04-20

This is a good example of how fine writing and well-done production can turn a rather simple idea into a really good TV show. Everything about this has been done well. Part drama, part comedy, you share the characters fears and instincts and want to know what happens next. I put it on last night, intending to watch just the first episode. I was engrossed in no time and couldn't turn it off; after three hours I forced myself to turn it off and go to bed. Cheers for Yorkshire Television. Needless to say, highly recommended.

Great show -- a must see!.......2004-10-30

I was a fan of this show while it was on BBC America, and I loved the great acting and fun, witty storylines. Many friends also watched the show and agreed that the show was one of the most enjoyable of all the BBC America shows. After the end of the second season BBC America put the show on hiatus and has not bothered to bring it back, instead opting to give us shows like Trailer Park Boys (which, last time I checked, was a show from Canada, not GB!) At Home is good, campy fun; full of scandal but not dramatic or "soapy" like an American serial would be. Buy it now, and enjoy it and wait for the other seasons to (hopefully) be released, because the second season only gets better!

One of my favorites.......2004-09-25

This is one of my favorite series from the UK. It's well acted, interestingly written and enjoyable all around. It's a drama but it's nothing like I've seen before. I won't get much into the plot except that the mother of a family wins the lottery and doesn't tell anyone except her two friends.

I hope they put out the entire series because I hear it got even better towards the end.

DVD:

DVD List

DVD

DVD

Elvis and June: A Love Story

Taming Andrew

FA Cup Final 1964 - West Ham vs Preston North End

DVD: Ray Harryhausen: The Early Years Collection

Slaughterhouse Five