Spenser: Small Vices (1999 TV Movie) User Reviews (16)

Where is Robert Uhrich et al?

[N2GJ · 7/10 · 21 July 1999]

Y'know, my wife and I have EVERY Robert Parker book ever published. We've even read a few of them several times. We've seen EVERY "Spenser for Hire" TV episode at least a few times I think. So....it's awfully hard to sit through this decent outing thinking "Geez, Joe Mantegna isn't bad, but he isn't Robert Uhrich!" And Hawk: we REALLY miss Dr. Brooks! Couldn't Rutgers free him up from his teaching long enough for ONE more project?!

On the flip side, Vinnie and Gino were lots of fun, and it was cool seeing Mr. Parker himself (and possibly his very own canine, playing Pearl, the Wonder Dog?) in cameo roles.

The movie was pretty faithful to the book (after all the author also penned the screenplay). By the way, we're glad we videotaped it: A&E is AWFUL with commercial breaks (but aren't ALL broadcasters these days?!)

So 7 of 10 is all it gets from us. 9, if it's Uhrich/Brooks in the remake!

So Near and Yet...

[Tigar · 7/10 · 20 July 1999]

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.

Murder and intrigue in Boston

[helpless_dancer · 7/10 · 24 July 1999]

Good show featuring tough guy Spenser and his pal Hawk as they try to figure out if a convicted man is innocent or not. Spenser suspects the man is not guilty and gets into hot water when he gets too close to the truth. The story was a little corny and the character Spenser is somewhat unbelievable, but the film was enjoyable none the less.

A new look at a good series

[TroyAir · 20 July 1999]

I remember watching the "Spenser: For Hire" tv series with Robert Urich and Avery Brooks. I loved Urich's refined approach to the character and Avery Brooks played the sidekick "Hawk" as one smooth, tough, powerful character (in fact, he played it so well that they made a spin-off tv show based on Hawk). The show was a success for the network and was popular as an action series. There was a suggestion of romance between Spenser and "D.A. Silverman", but after the first few episodes they were nothing more than friends and professional associates, and the focus shifted from developing their romance to giving us gunfights and car chases.

Joe Mantegna is a terrific actor, and in the role of Spenser he brings a darker, more sinister approach to the character which is interesting and certainly gives Spenser more depth. He does a good job showing us the tough side of Spenser, as well as the sensitive, romantic side (and I don't mean a la "James Bond"). Its the sort of duality that is so often missing in action characters.

Marcia Gay Harden as D.A. Silverman brings a more romantic and sensuous characterization to the role, which was missing in the tv series due to strict network censorship. Silverman is still intelligent and is still one tough attorney, but she also has a feminine side. There's one scene that's particularly steamy, but it really defines the relationship of the two characters and works well in the context of the story.

Like most hard-boiled detective stories, the detective finds himself surrounded by women who constantly throw themselves at him, and Mantegna does a good job playing these scenes for their somewhat comedic potential. If nothing else, the racy (and very successful) series "NYPD Blue" has opened the gates for tv networks to take more risks in showing non-sexual nudity, and "Small Vices" has benefitted from it tremendously, allowing the actors to have more intimate moments (including a brief nude scene where we see an actresses' posterior as she tries to seduce Spenser in his office). Knowing that Spenser has a strong relationship with Silverman, we can see why he would rebuff so many advances by other beautiful women. We know who owns his heart, and unlike the tv show version, we know why.

Comparing the film to the tv show, I prefer Brooks' portrayal of the Hawk character. It was just such a powerful role that he stole just about every scene he was in. I can still remember the way he said "Spens-SUH!" Urich played a good action character, but Mantegna shows us much more depth and has a bit more edginess. And Marcia Gay Harden is a dead ringer for the actress (her name escapes me) that played D.A. Silverman, but the tv version of Silverman never "nursed Spenser back to health" (if you know what I mean) after he was gravely wounded by a hitman's attack. Kudos to A&E (Arts And Entertainment) for bringing us a new "Spenser" mystery.

Good casting for this adaptation of Small Vices.

[Doc-73 · 7/10 · 19 July 1999]

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.

i saw it because richard farnsworth was in it,but was pleasantly surprised

[moggy-4 · 7/10 · 31 May 2000]

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.

Not a bad job of one of my favorites

[thehl · 7/10 · 19 July 1999]

My favorite novel hero, Spenser, brought to life as never before.

Casting for the role of Spenser is staggering difficult. Joe Montegna comes much closer the Rober Eurich, but is still a bit stiff and winds up coming up short. The ONLY Hollywood actor I think might stand a real chance as Spenser would be Bruce Willis, if his ACTING ability were up to snuff.

The direction of the first half is to fast with machine gun like edits that ruin the pacing that makes Parker's Spenser novels so enjoyable.

The second half slows down a bit and is MUCH better, although glosses over some of the more interesting bits in the book about Spenser's recovery. Probably hard to follow if you haven't read the book.

Still, Parker's novels would be a challenge for anyone to adapt to the screen since they depend greatly on his beautiful writing than on on his extremely simple storylines.

Not a bad job overall, but could have been better. 7/10.

Nice addition to the small Spenser TV collection

[TV Boy · 8/10 · 25 April 2008]

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.

An excellent cast, far closer to Parker's Spenser than Urich.

[james.rankin · 9/10 · 30 August 2000]

This is an excellent cast. Joe Mantegna is far closer in appearance, tone, and temperament to the Spenser of Robert B. Parker rather the television appearance of Robert Urich.

This cast should be retained and other Spenser books should be converted into television movies.

Casting

[thetallcool1 · 23 May 2004]

I agree, casting the Role of Spenser is a tough one, but if you have seen the poster/soverbox for the movie, "The Substitute", or if you saw "Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead", you can't argue with the fact that Treat Williams would have to make the all-time best Spenser. He's a boxer, He's Irish, He has the smirk, and he's a very good actor, he IS Spenser. And don't just get the first black guy that looks like Avery Brooks to play Hawk, put some thought into that as well. Ving Rhames would do well, since he can slide in and out of the educated accent and the street jive, and he's also one of the better actors out there. If not Ving, another good choice would be Dennis Haysbert, Pedro Serrano from "Major League". Susan Silverman is a tough one. Mr. Parker has almost made her shoes impossible to fill, but if I had to pick an actress who has her charm, looks, smarts, and is also Jewish (why not, Susan is?), I'd have to go with Rena Sofer. The other characters could be played by most any other character actors, Luis Guzman was spot-on as Cholo, the guy who played Little John In "Robin Hood: Men In Tights" is a great Teddy Blue, and Dan Hedaya is who I always see as Vinnie.

Those are just my opinions, everyone sees these characters in a different way. But Joe Mantegna is NOT spenser, sorry.....

Great improvement from the palid earlier "Spencer" productions.

[dewey22 · 8/10 · 25 July 1999]

This a great improvement of the "Spencer Series" Joe Mantegna is perfect in the role previously played by Robert Urich. Also the script for "Small Vices" is much more entertaining than prior productions. Definately worth watching!!

Excellent Flick

[mrbill-12 · 9/10 · 21 July 1999]

Watched Small Vices last night. Thought it was excellent, followed the book fairly closely. Only negative is I think the original Hawk as played by Avery Brooks is better. This one had to much of an accent and was also obviously younger than Spenser. They should be about the same age.

Good film, bad casting

[BlackJAC · 19 July 1999]

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.

Interesting plot & performances, satisfying conclusion & characters who are fun to watch

[diannejohanss · 8/10 · 27 March 2005]

Best of the Joe Mantegna "Spenser" series. The plot is not complicated but the journey is very interesting. The relationship between Mantegna and Marcia Gay Harden's character is among the better portrayals of people hot for each other yet beyond the hormone-driven stage of life.

But the "absolute bestest" is the guy who plays Hawk: Shiek Mahmud-Bey. I'm a big Avery Brooks fan, and remember the Hawk he created in the original series: big shoes to fill. Shiek Mahmud-Bey makes the character completely his own, with a sense of humor & absence of studied attitude that is really enjoyable to watch.

Shiek Mahmud-Bey was replaced by Ernie Hudson in another Mantegna-made "Spenser." I can't imagine why . . . ESPECIALLY if you remember Brooks' Hawk, this is worth watching just for Shiek in my opinion. He hasn't done anything since that I've seen, though I've been looking for him. Accept no substitutions!

Robert B. Parker's Small Vices

[The Peacemaker · 10 June 2000]

I never saw the old series with Robert Urich, and I've only seen a bit of him in "Spenser: Pale Kings and Princes".My father loved the Spenser books,so I gave him a try by taping this A and E original. Joe Montega plays Spenser, the sexy detective,better than I thought he would. Black-belt Sheik Mahmud-Bey plays Hawk, and puts a lot of humour into his character. Full of action, romance, and mystery. Aaaaaaaannnndddd...if you want to see Robert B. Parker without his sunglasses on, look for his cameo as Ives. Rated PG for language, violence, and sex (no actual nudity, but SPOILERS! a blonde takes off her coat, she's butt nude, you see her butt).

Small Vices

[mick987g · 5 March 2007]

I saw Dr. Parker at one of the local Barnes and Nobles here in Connecticut.

He said that "Robert Urich god rest his soul may have looked the part of Spenser but that Dr Parker thought Urich didn't get what the character of Spenser really was.

He said that Joe Mantegna understood the Spenser character." I think people are so used to seeing Robert Urich as Spenser it is hard to change. I know for one when I read the novels "Urichs voice is the one that I use for reading the book.

In some of the earlier Spenser books it was written that Susan Silverman was the most beautiful woman that Spenser ever saw. How can you truly cast someone in the part or watch someone in that role when each persons view of beautiful is different.

I did however enjoy Small Vices. Just not a big Joe Mantegna fan sorry