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Atwood on Oxygen

Canadian literary lion Margaret Atwood might seem an odd choice to provide material for estrogen-heavy cable channel Oxygen. But the network's latest original film, "The Robber Bride," turns out to be a fairly compelling thriller with at least some of Miss Atwood's dark insights about the love-hate relationships among women remaining intact. The two-hour movie premieres tomorrow night at 8.

The film opens with the discovery of a car full of blood and a severed finger lying beside it. They belong to Zenia Arden, a Toronto television reporter whom somebody hated enough to torture before killing.

Cop Henry (Greg Bryk), who was Zenia's secret source and her lover, knows he'll soon be a suspect. He asks his ex-colleague John (Shawn Doyle, "Big Love") to dig around and find out who really killed Zenia.

The story is told in flashbacks as John unravels what happened. When he follows Zenia's three friends after the funeral, he finds them not drowning their sorrows in drink but celebrating her death with champagne. All three — magazine editor Roz (veteran Canadian actress Wendy Crewson), history professor Tony (Amanda Root, "Persuasion") and gardener Charis (Susan Lynch, "Enduring Love") — had reason to want Zenia dead. This femme fatale stole Roz's career, Tony's husband and Charis' daughter.

Two things lift "The Robber Bride" above the common made-for-TV thriller. One is the source material. Screenwriter Tassie Cameron has made some major changes to Miss Atwood's novel — the character of John is a new addition. But she's wisely kept much of the witty tone. "White Russians don't exist," Tony's husband tells her when told of Zenia's supposed background. "They're the Cheshire Cat of nationality."

The other is Mary-Louise Parker ("Weeds"), who is completely mesmerizing as the devilish Zenia. A different woman to everyone who meets her, Zenia is a suitably meaty role for the accomplished actress.

"The Robber Bride" finally fizzles out during the epilogue, when Miss Parker's character is barely seen. But director David Evans (the original British "Fever Pitch") and his mostly Canadian cast have crafted a surprisingly good look at the often ambivalent relationships women have with one another.

'Winner' could be one