Reviewed by Adam Whittaker
Stars Jaime Murray, Robert Glenister, Marc Warren, Ashley Walters, Robert Vaughn | Written by Tony Jordan
UK certification 12 | UK RRP £29.99 | DVD Region 2 | Runtime 346 minutes | Directed by Otto Bathurst & others
The grifters return having proved a huge success in the first three seasons. Following on from the likes of Spooks, the BBC has again produced a series to be proud of and a serious rival to many of the high profile, heavily financed comparables from across The Pond.
Season 4 opens with the team minus Mickey (Adrian Lester) their trusted leader. As he pursues a major con in Australia (or as Lester fulfilled other acting commitments if you prefer), it is time for another to step up to the plate. Danny (Warren) feels he deserves the accolade and under some duress, the others agree. Desperate to prove himself, Danny leads the team on a run of cons that take them into the worlds of horse racing, fashion, Vegas and Hollywood.
The season gets off to an absolute flyer and continues where the highly respectable 3rd series left off. "Buying" the Hollywood sign seems an easy con for the new gaffer and his gang. Episodes two and three continue to impress and dispel the fears that Hustle couldn’t survive without the strong lead character of Mickey (Adrian Lester). The humorous introduction of a new player (Walters) to the original group adds yet more interest although Danny’s preferred candidate may have added something a little different - mainly eye candy.
However, the episodes then lose their way focusing more on justice than money. Whether avenging barman Eddie’s being conned at the hands of a care home owner or Albert (Vaughn) getting a beating, the original focus of the ‘mark’ for money becomes secondary. The excellent performances of all the cast and the poignant emotional interludes are betrayed by weak plots and poor supporting roles. Suddenly Lester’s absence becomes a factor and even the witty and engaging Warren loses his eminence after excelling in episode 3.
The leads deserve no criticism but the previous exciting plot twists, excellent character interaction, pacy action and even the excellent writing of Spooks creator Tony Jordan are significantly absent and the final episode descends into a poor Oceans 12 TV remake which leaves you feeling ironically robbed.
EXTRAS ** Behind the scenes footage and interviews hold their usual interest especially if you are a fan but concentrate more on the Stateside filming rather than complexities of character or intimate details of the cast. Some insight into what may follow such as a film, Season 5 and the possibility of more European based storylines. Not exactly whetting the appetite but not a bad little taster of the future.