Aging is one of the most effective ways to become invisible in our world. We celebrate youth and fitness, and as wrong as it may be, tend to judge those of a certain age as being past any notice and usefulness, much less anything skillful or clever. The Invisibles is a perfect title for a story about two aging master criminals who refuse to disappear without a fight.
This is not to say that for the past fifteen years or so Maurice Riley (Anthony Head) and Sid Woolsey (Warren Clarke) have been on anyone’s radar. As retired top of the line jewel thieves, they have been living a life of leisure on the coast of Spain, funded by their ill gotten gains.
With age however comes a longing for home and the familiar and so urged by Maurice’s wife Barbara (Jenny Agutter) they return to England. Living in a village that appears to be composed mainly of the “retired” it seems that they will be able to fish and go into the sunset peacefully.
As with some aging experts the world over, Maurice has developed a very angry attitude towards life and Sid is degenerating into the waffling sort of guy, suddenly sentimental and seeming to lose his edge, which makes Maurice only angrier. It is obvious that this new lifestyle while easy, is boring to ones who have always lived on the edge.
Two events occur that change all thoughts of peaceful retirement. First Sid’s son (Darren Tighe) turns up, in money trouble with the current criminal element. Sid tries to get Maurice to help him rob the loan shark that is terrorizing Joe and in the process they learn that their local publican Hedley Huthwaite (Dean Lennox Kelly) is actually the son of the deceased third “Invisible.”
Hedley has a hero worship for his Dad’s business associates, and is desperate to follow in the family business. Recruiting their long time associate Young Nick (Paul Barber) to help with the techno changes, they are set to become the “Invisibles” again.
The women in the story are equally as interesting and pose some obstacles in the way of the trio’s plans. Barbara is happy shopping, play golf and visiting with their daughter Grace (played by Anthony Head’s real life daughter Emily) a university student who has no idea where the money comes from. Barbara does not want the life of crime to resume!
Hedley’s wife Helen (Mina Anwar) is terrific, and overly enthusiastic. She is supportive of his dreams to follow in his Dad’s footsteps, and one can almost imagine her as wife of the host of an 18th Century tavern that catered to gentleman highwaymen.
That is a romantic notion, but she is so happy to help the trio, and is such a good sport, one could see her serving the local constabulary multiple drinks while the highwayman escapes out the back door. She is a good woman, as is Barbara, and both understand if not totally agree with their men.
Poor Sid doesn’t have this feminine element around, and it is obvious from his love for the troublesome Joe that he really would like to have a family life too.
This series is full of fun moments, and clever dialogue which offsets Maurice’s anger and frustration. He is turning into a grumpy old man, but in some ways, one feels that this new if not “last” adventure into his former lifestyle will make all the difference.
Well acted, and beautifully filmed The Invisibles is a good blend of drama and comedy with truths that will resonate with anyone, at any age. The set is nicely packaged in a slipcase with two keeper cases, one disc in each. There are six episodes, they are so good, you find yourself wishing for more.
The Invisibles: Season One is now available at Amazon and AmazonUK . Visit the DVD database for more information.
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