Dirty Tricks

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 didn't actually go looking for this show, it just happened to be on one night during the Easter holidays when I was staying at a relative's place (He's very fond of shows on the less commercial channels). At first, I wasn't quite sure what to think, then I found myself quickly drawn into Edward's twisted little world, and enjoying every minute of it. How couldn't I? Sure, he's evil and manipulative, but at the same time, he lets out his story with a dark, biting humor that I found impossible not to love.

The plot itself was wonderfully guilty fun...A mild-mannered Oxford man suspected for a string of murders, and watching him manipulate his way out of the most twisted situations while maintaining his mild English charm and obviously high intelligence is just priceless. There are points where you actually find yourself on his side because he's just so good at what he does that you just want him to keep getting away with it so his adventures don't end.

This intelligent, well-scripted show (And yes, I know it's based on a novel, but I haven't read it yet) is truly a welcome break from all of those terrible Reality TV shows that are all about the ratings.

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.

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..

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.