7.3
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The Philanthropist
2009·Show
The Philanthropist fingerprint
High energy, strong craft, a touch of humor.
Energy
Thrilling and fast-paced
Fast from start to finish.
- Adrenaline7
- Fast Pace7
- Tension6
Heart
Hopeful and cathartic
- Hopefulness8
- Catharsis7
- Pathos6
Humor
Some sharp wit
Not a comedy at heart.
- Wit & Wordplay5
- Physical Comedy2
- Satire & Parody2
World
Society, everyday modern life, and a real life story
- World Immersion7
- Dialogue Centrality7
- Rewatchability6
Craft
Standout characters
- Character Depth8
- Direction7
- Acting7
Style
Functional look and sound
- Cinematography7
- Editing7
- Music Composition6
Energy
HighThrilling and fast-paced
Fast from start to finish.
The Philanthropist is thrilling and fast-paced.
All energy traits
- Adrenaline7High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
- Tension6Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Spectacle6Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Violence5Physical conflict and intensity.
- Scare1Frightening moments and scares.
Heart
MediumHopeful and cathartic
Emotionally, it's hopeful and cathartic.
All heart traits
- Hopefulness8Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Catharsis7Emotional release and payoff.
- Pathos6Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Family Dynamics6Relationships and generational ties.
- Wonder5Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Wholesome4Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Melancholy4Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Romance3Love stories and emotional connections.
- Coming of Age2Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Nostalgia1Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
Related traits
- Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
- Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.
Humor
LowSome sharp wit
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect some sharp wit.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay5Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Physical Comedy2Slapstick and visual gags.
- Satire & Parody2Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Dark Humor2Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Situational Comedy1Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Cringe Humor0Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Absurdist Humor0Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
World
MediumSociety, everyday modern life, and a real life story
Its world is built around society, everyday modern life, and a real life story.
All world traits
- World Immersion7Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- Rewatchability6Invites repeat viewing.
- Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.
- Ambiguity3Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Social Commentary9Perspectives on society and norms.
- Contemporary Realism8Modern, grounded storytelling.
- Biographical8Lives of notable figures.
- Class & Capitalism7Wealth, power, and inequality.
- Crime6Heists, investigation, and underworld.
- Politics5Thought-provoking works exploring political themes.
All craft traits
- Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
- Direction7Vision and command behind the camera.
- Acting7Performance craft and presence.
- Narrative Structure7Story architecture and form.
- Dialogue Quality7Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Intrigue7Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Complexity6Layered plots and ideas.
- Non-linear Narrative1Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative0Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
- Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.
- Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.
All style traits
- Cinematography7Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing7Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Composition6Score and musical identity.
- Sound Centrality6Sound design as core element.
- Music Centrality5The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
- Visual Stylization4Distinctive aesthetic signature.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- Spectacle6Scale and set-piece grandeur.
Who it's for
AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchBinge-FriendlyThought-Provoking
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.
Episode ratings
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About
The title character, Teddy Rist (portrayed by James Purefoy), is a billionaire playboy haunted by the death of his only child. His life changes when he rescues a young boy during a hurricane in Nigeria. As a result, Rist begins using his fortune to personally change the lives of others.[4] The Philanthropist is based loosely on the life of Bobby Sager.[5]
The Philanthropist is an American action drama series that premiered on NBC on Wednesday, June 24, 2009. The program was a limited summer series, principally filmed in South Africa. It opened to strong ratings, but saw a drop in viewers in subsequent weeks. The Philanthropist is a Carnival Films production in association with The Levinson/Fontana Company and Original Media. Tom Fontana, Barry Levinson, Peter Horton, Charlie Corwin, Gareth Neame, and Teri Weinberg served as executive producers.
Inspirational DramaAction-AdventureBillionaire PhilanthropySocial ImpactCharacter-DrivenGlobal JourneysRedemptive ArcContemporary RealismHopeful & Uplifting
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
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Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about The Philanthropist
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is The Philanthropist worth watching?
54
MediocreGoodWatch scoreOpinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 54/100 (IMDb 7.3, Rotten Tomatoes 61%, and Metacritic 60). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is The Philanthropist rated?
Violence
Content advisories: violence.
How many seasons does The Philanthropist have?
1 season
It has 1 season with 8 episodes of about 60 minutes each.
Is The Philanthropist based on a true story?
Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.
Do critics and audiences agree on The Philanthropist?
Critics61
Audiences73
Not quite. Audiences rate The Philanthropist higher (73) than critics (61). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.
When did The Philanthropist air?
S1
It ran from 2009 to 2009 and has ended.
What language is The Philanthropist in?
EnglishHungarian
It was made in English, with some Hungarian.
What tropes does The Philanthropist use?
We Need a DistractionChurch MilitantNo Good Deed Goes UnpunishedSemper FiScrew the Rules, I Have Money!Beleaguered AssistantProtagonist TitleGrief-Induced SplitAmicably DivorcedBadass BookwormScenery PornBut Not Too Foreignand 15 more
TV Tropes lists 27 storytelling tropes for The Philanthropist, including We Need a Distraction, Church Militant, No Good Deed Goes Unpunished.