Dirty Tricks

For those who appreciate very dark comedy, this two-part 2000 British miniseries based on the titular novel by Michael Dibdin will be a treat. Martin Clunes (Doc Martin) stars as Edward, the cynical rogue who narrates this convoluted tale about his transformative journey: from being an underpaid teacher in an English-for-foreigners school in Oxford to becoming a wealthy widower fleeing the country under suspicion of murder by the police. Even as Edward engages in utterly amoral conduct and conspires with a nefarious South American refugee to cover it up, he keeps assuring viewers that he is not a killer—which, strictly speaking, is the truth, since the deaths he's suspected of causing were actually accidents. While certainly a scoundrel, Edward has just enough charm that you root for him even though he's insufferably smug and conceited. Dirty Tricks boasts sufficient twists and turns—including a couple of clever reversals at the very close—to keep viewers surprised and amused (as well as more intimate scenes and salty language than one might expect). As far as stories about a rotter's rise go, it may not be a classic, but the gleefully snide tone makes Dirty Tricks an enjoyable watch. DVD extras include a text bio of Dibdin and cast filmographies. Recommended. (F. Swietek)