TRICKS OF THE TRADE

US, 1988, 100 minutes, Colour.
Cindy Williams, Markie Post, Scott Paulin, James Whitmore Jr, Chris Mulkey, John Ritter.
Directed by Jack Bender.

Tricks of the Trade is an entertaining television movie. It starts out as a film about a wealthy couple, when the husband is murdered it turns into a murder mystery and an action thriller. However, there is a difference.

Cindy Williams portrays the wife, Catherine, who is shocked at the news of her husband’s death (John Ritter as the husband) in the room of a prostitute, Marla, (Markie Post).

When Catherine starts to investigate what happened to her husband, she is abducted and robbed. The police are not able to make any progress. She decides then to go to meet the prostitute and together they investigate the murder, have a number of adventures – and form a bond, with some smart and humorous dialogue.

An easy entertainment, directed by Jack Bender, who directed a number of television movies but has spent most of his career directing many of the Hollywood television series.

1. An entertaining telemovie? Drama, comedy, murder mystery?

2. The Los Angeles settings, the affluent Brentwood homes, the home of the prostitute, the police precincts? The streets?

3. The different worlds – the shiny surface, below the surface?

4. Catherine and Donald, their happy marriage? The financial plans? The dinner? David and the friendship? The hope for the money?

5. Don, his plans, finances, his going to visit Marla, relationship with her? Opening the door, his death?

6. The police investigation, not making headway, the two women and their reaction?

7. Catherine, the psychiatrist, her anger, the visit, her car and money stolen, the threats? The police? Going to visit Marla and her reaction? Their discussions, the dress, the leads? Catherine appreciating Marla’s friendship? The attempts on them, the clues, the gym, the money, the truth?

8. Marla and her clients, Don’s death, the threats, working with Catherine, the friendship? The confrontation?

9. Catherine’s friend, the motivation for his behaviour? The action of the thugs?

10. The police, the anger? The solution? The light touch and popular themes for a television movie?