Dirty Tricks

The polite dinner party question was "And why did you read languages?" And the answer from Edward the perpetual student of culture was "So that I could learn how to use language to conceal my real intentions."

Martin Clunes is at his best in this black comedy crime drama. The English excell at this kind of thing and this is a particularly good example of the genre. It should be pointed out to anyone who's seen Men Behaving Badly that here in Dirty Tricks we are prvileged to see Clunes display some amazing versitility. He's heartless, manipulative, lying, creative and utterly fascinating as the anti-hero of this piece.

Edward is a language teacher who has the class and culture to enjoy life but unfortunately not the funds. All this changes when he is invited to a dinner party by his employer's accountant. After his host's wife accosts Edward in the upstairs bathroom, things begin on a rollercoaster ride which sees Edward come into some serious money and some serious legal trouble to go with his new good fortune.

Edward lies and manipulates his way through the plot, his ability with language clearly coming in handy. The plot itself is simple but at the same time packed with elaborate detail. And the more detail there is, the more the viewer is drawn into the murky world of Edward's Oxford.

I confess to not having read the book on which this show is based, but having seen this adaptation I will be seeking out the book for sure.

The UK DVD only runs for 1 hour and 41 minutes or thereabouts The Region 1 DVD is longer, but nothing compares to the runtime quoted on IMDB. A shame we can't see the full version any more.

When can it come on films youtube it's funny and good also best film making is Martin Clunes also saw it ages ago when I was 18 really enjoyed it...also it's comedy and drama wich we like..I forget the girls name but also a good actor too just wording when is it coming on YouTube or will it be just dvd...but thre is loads of best bits in it that make you laugh and also you have a nice tan what a good one lol but just can't say anything bad about that film cause loved every min of it but really good make and also really good actors in it like I also don't have a DVD it's all Netflix or youtube now hope you get back to me thanks😃

An adaptation of one of my favourite books, I was looking foward to this, and it didn't disappoint. Although the ending was a slightly strange deviation from the book, stating rather than hinting, it was very funny throughout, and had a suitably grim musical score.

I just saw this screen recently on the Australian ABC TV network, it was split over two weeks and after the first half ended I was left longing to see the second part, it did not disappoint!

As a fan of the Men Behaving Badly series, I was interested in seeing Martin Clunes in this role, and he did an amazing performance - played perfectly as the caring and thoughtful as well as the deceiteful and calculating person he was trying to portray, always delivering a fantastic and well balanced mixture of all traits.

If your the type who feeds on fast moving drama's that always keep you guessing then this is one for you. It has everything I like in a British comedy/drama (Infact some parts captured almost a dark humour.)The british definately have the head start in this genre.

Absolutely loved it!

4 out of 5 stars..