Spenser: Small Vices

Cast-wise, Small Vices is an intentional break from the "Spenser: For Hire" TV series and Lifetime movies. Spenser author Robert B. Parker adapted his book for the A&E movie and had some say in casting. Though Urich's loyal fans cried foul at the casting of Mantegna for Spenser, more hardboiled fans (such as myself), and Parker himself, believed Mantegna better portrayed the gritty hero. Mantegna's Spenser is more relaxed, more subtle--his delivery guided by an authentic, wry Parker script. Those looking for a harder edge to the character were pleased. Viewers were less kind to Shiek Mahmud-Bey's portrayal of Hawk. Series actor Avery Brooks cast a long shadow as the mob enforcer sidekick. In that shadow, many believed (myself included) Mahmud-Bey lacked presence, that he was too young, cheerful, and chatty for the part. Small Vices is above average for its closeness to Parker's original plot and--for the most part--his characters; however, the Boston atmosphere vital to the books and series is missing, too obviously replaced by Toronto for budgetary purposes. For a different spin on Spenser, with some of Parker's personal touch, watch Small Vices.

I loved how true to the book the film stayed, thanks to Parker himself writing the script. My only problem is that none of the actors from the original series and Lifetime movies were brought in to reprise their roles. I could live with the recasting of Frank Belson, (done once before) Susan Silverman (done twice before) and Martin Quirk, (Richard Jaeckel's (qv) dead) but not bringing back Robert Urich (qv) and Avery Brooks (qv) made the film suffer. Sheik Mahmud-Bey (qv) struck me as someone I'd like to marry into my family rather than as a mysterious mercenary/crimeland enforcer. I was even hoping they'd bring back Carolyn McCormack (qv) to play Rita.

Mantegna and Harden are very good as Spenser and Susan, the by-play is good. Mahmud-Bey makes a good Hawk, though he does not seem to have the sharp edge that Hawk in the books does. The story is followed as closely as time permits for a 90 minute production. An enjoyable two hours.

My dad and I are both huge fans of the Spenser novels, TV show, telepics, et al. Because we both agree, Robert Urich's cast a long shadow over the role of everyone's favorite Boston P.I., he (dad) didn't buy Joe Mantegna as Spenser at all - too ethnic, he said. "Small Vices" was the first of three TV movies with Mantegna. My dad couldn't get past it. I, though, think Mantegna nailed Spenser's dry wit and sense of humor. "Small Vices" certainly was the best of the A&E trilogy - just try watching Eric Roberts as Police Chief DeSpain in one of the others without cringing. But in a world where Warner Bros. has left "Spenser: For Hire" to languish on its AOL site, and all we have on DVD are the Lifetime TV movies, my investment in a region-free player has paid off again - "Small Vices" was released in Australia on home video and I picked up a copy from Amazon.

Plot is more original than most; I even learned something about drilling for oil. Joe Montegna is always watchable,one of most underrated actors. And Farnsworth,in small but important role, is always a joy to watch.