Mantegna’s a Solid Sleuth in Uneven Tale

Since Spenser is supposed to be a gifted cook as well as a private eye of almost mythicability, let’s use a culinary metaphor to describe the newest attempt to translate the popular detective-novel character to the small screen:

“Small Vices,” debuting Sunday on A&E;, is a souffle that rises beautifully at first but deflates as it reaches the critical moments in its cooking time.

The story is taken from Robert B. Parker’s novel of the same name, which Parker himself has adapted. Hired to investigate a possible miscarriage of justice, Spenser looks into the murder of a white female college student for which a black man was convicted. The Boston private eye’s efforts soon make him the target of a contract killing, which sets up what is meant to be a clever about-face.

Though he doesn’t have the physique to convince us that Spenser is as fit as he’s supposed to be, Joe Mantegna is otherwise wonderfully cast as the central character. He’s cool in the face of danger, suave in the presence of his lady love (Marcia Gay Harden) and masterful in his delivery of the wisecracks that he seems to have for every occasion.

As Spenser’s partner, Hawk, Shiek Mahmud-Bey is likewise appealing--a consummate gentleman who’s flecked through with just the faintest hints of danger.

Together, they are a powerful image of cross-racial brotherhood--a vision of hope that stands in sharp contrast to the casual prejudice tossed about by the story’s less sympathetic characters.

Director Robert Markowitz deftly balances the material’s playfulness with its social significance; cinematographer Ron Garcia gorgeously captures its contrasting moods; and David Shire’s brooding jazz score provides just the right film-noir flourish.

Unfortunately, Parker’s story focuses so single-mindedly on the hit man (Eugene Lipinski) that it stints on the clues that should lead us to the college student’s murderer. This hinders our ability to play detective along with Spenser and kills the fun. Meanwhile, we realize that the pacing has slipped into a deadly lull--a crime for which both Parker and Markowitz must take the rap.

* “Small Vices” can be seen Sunday at 5, 7, 9 and 11 p.m. and repeats July 24 at 6 and 10 p.m. on A&E.; The network has rated it TV-PG (may be unsuitable for young children).