Brave Creatures

Cool Britannia is back, and its got its hand in my pocket.

I came across a BBC series, Hustle, the other day and once I watched one episode, I was hooked. 

Hustle follows a group of London-based Grifters, con artists, as they dupe the greedy and self obsessed. Despite their trade, they adhere to a strict moral code, when possible only conning those who they feel deserve it (and can afford to lose the money), citing the (sometimes) first rule of the con, "You can never cheat an honest man". For the gang, the money is really just a way of keeping score†, the point of the con is to show that they can do it. 

Hustle is another wonderful example of the BBC's creative energy. The comedy-drama series is made by Kudos Film & Television and originally airing on BBC One in the United Kingdom. Created by Tony Jordan (who also wrote many of the scripts). The show is fast paced and cleverly scripted using a number of quite unusual and quirky techniques to create and incredibly engaging story telling style.

One of these tricks is breaking the fourth wall, or recognising the audience, where a character will smiles at the camera as the con begins to take shape or make a comment to the audience. Other tricks include fantasy sequences - scenes shot like a Hollywood musical or a silent movie; and stopping time, interacting with other characters that are frozen in place, discussing the con either with each other, or even with the audience

In each episode the team plays a confidence game on an unsuspecting "mark" who clearly deserves it. This conceit is a little obvious but it does mean that the Mickey Stone and his team retain a Robin Hood aura that makes them lovable larrikans rather than criminals.

I have just finished watching the third series and I am sad that its going to be next year until I can see any more, but this is a show worth waiting for.  

† That and maintaining a lavish lifestyle

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