An intriguing British dramedy, At Home with the Braithwaites begins with an irresistible premise: on her 40th birthday, London housewife and senior services volunteer Alison Braithwaite (Amanda Redman) receives a lottery ticket from her youngest daughter and is stunned to discover that she has won 38 million English pounds. Keeping her good fortune a secret from her peevish husband, David (Peter Davison), and three children--goofy lesbian and failed student Virginia (Sarah Smart), would-be thespian Sarah (Sarah Churm), and slightly spooky Charlotte (Keeley Fawcett)--Alison opens a charity and quickly finds that dispensing wealth to the needy is a rather complicated task involving many people. This first season of the show focuses on Alison's slow delivery of the news to family and friends, and the ways in which several characters' lives are altered even as they cope with everyday challenges such as teen pregnancy and infidelity. Boasting solid scripts and a story that has the luxury of slowly unfolding over six episodes, the series is also blessed with an exceptional cast, particularly Redman and Smart, that keeps one coming back for more. DVD extras include cast biographies and a photo gallery. Recommended. (T. Keogh)
At Home with the Braithwaites: Complete First Series
Acorn, 2 discs, 292 min., not rated, DVD: $39.99 Volume 19, Issue 5
At Home with the Braithwaites: Complete First Series
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