Dirty Tricks

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 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 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.

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.