Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise (2006)

The late Robert B. Parker turned out easy-to-read novels prolifically, the majority featuring 'series' characters like Spenser and Jesse Stone. Several of the Jesse Stone novels were adapted for television and all of those I have seen have been excellent primarily because the producers have had the good sense to cast most of the roles with fine actors rather than signing a half-decent lead and then surrounding him/her with a group of ho hums. Apart from Tom Selleck as Jesse Stone the standout supporting actor is Viola Davis by a country mile, unfortunately she fell or was pushed halfway through the series and her character was renamed. Another of its strengths lies in having Stone concentrate on one main case yet still manage to deal with others, just as a real chief of police in a small town would. Excellent.

I like the Jesse Stone series---with generally very good acting, good production values, atmospheric photography and good direction, they are head and shoulders above average TV fare (I could do without the corny freeze-frame cuts, though). Selleck delivers an excellent performance, and his supporting cast turns in some fine acting as well. The movies are a bit formulaic: some big crime mixed with a human interest piece that Chief Stone usually handles by threatening someone or beating someone up, plus a romantic interest, usually the first reasonably attractive woman to walk onto the screen (although this time it was the second---my money initially was on the dog owner, but she wasn't it). However, the small-town atmosphere comes across nicely, the plots are reasonably complex, and the human interest story lines provide some intermittent satisfaction and an opportunity for Selleck to show another side of his character.SPOILERS! The one problem I had with this installment is that its resolution is somewhat sudden, and also not a little corny. Even though a viewer might have guessed it (it was pretty clear that the false suspect would turn out to be misdirection), the piece of evidence providing the crucial insight is delivered a few seconds before the final showdown (unless I missed a clue at the false suspect's maritime experience before then), and then it's a few seconds of high noon in a warehouse and that was it: game over.Still, not the worst way to spend 90 minutes or so, which you probably have discovered for yourself already, otherwise you hopefully wouldn't read this spoiler-ridden review.

I thought the characterisation, especially of Stone, were very good. Selleck had the right air of a good man with problems. Molly and Suitcase were good support in the force. The relationship between Stone and Lily Summers seemed a little strange but Orla Brady was pleasant and gave the impression that there was a lot hidden below the surface.William Devane and Stephen McHattie were underused.The murder mystery was somewhat flimsy - especially the ending. Stone works out the killer based on knots. (And Shaw doesn't look like an experienced yachtsman, to me !) Of course, he has absolutely no evidence. In a 1960s detective show, the villain would have broken down and confessed in front of a room of witnesses. We aren't that unrealistic now. Instead, the villain's henchman accidentally shoots his boss saving Stone the trouble of proving that he planned the murder. Then Stone has to kill the henchman (who had actually committed the murder) - in self-defence of course.That's two guys that Stone shoots in self-defence.Overall, though, I enjoyed the movie. Definitely above average.I'd be interesting in reading the book to compare the two.

This is the third in the Jesse Stone movie series and I thought it was the best. Selleck is just perfect as the flawed, but honorable main character. What makes this series so good is what others have written; the pacing of the films is thoughtful; the characters are adult and complex; it has plot and intelligence over car crashes and special effects though it has action and romance in it to be sure. You like Selleck's character instantly and his scenes with his other officers,the State Police Detective and the shrink he see's about his drinking, are all terrific.In the special features on Stone Cold Selleck says people have a 'hunger' for this type of adult entertainment where plot and story are more important than rapid fire visuals--and that is so true. It's surprising how good this series is--it's way better than 95% of what's in the theaters. Tom Selleck in a really good cop movie or Pirates of the Caribbean part IV--it's no contest.