D.N.A. – Complete Series One & Two (aka DoNovAn/Acorn Media DVD)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C+     Extras: D     Episodes: B

 

 

The onslaught of usually bad detective shows never seems to end lately, so when one turns out to be as intelligent, good and as distinctive as D.N.A. (aka DoNovAn) from 2004 with Tom Conti as a criminologist who only recently returned to the job because it got to him so badly.  He has a family with a loving wife (Samantha Bond) and a son (Ryan Cartwright) who he cares about, but is in constant conflict with makes for one of the more underrated British productions of late.

 

The first two short seasons amounting to five short telefilms are here in this new 2-DVD set.  Conti was always likable, underrated and is one of those actors for whom his female following never gave him the boost he could have used.  Decades in the business, he shows how underrated an actor he is, showing his best in a great role for which he is totally convincing.  There is also chemistry with Bond ands the actual crime cases do not seem to dwell on science and clinics like most in the current cycle to the point of it all being a joke.  To see a mystery with ironic comedy and three-dimensional characters done right, D.N.A. is the set for you.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is soft, styled darkly at times and is not bad, but not memorable either.  However, it fits the genre and works well enough.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has no surrounds, but is cleanly and clearly recorded down to the dialogue.  There are no extras.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo