Jesse Stone: No Remorse (2010)

The movie is a bad one because the major premise of a series of murders is sidetracked by too many sidebar stories. We really have a promising story here as the killings unfold; unfortunately, too many other stories get in the way.Tom Selleck, who should definitely stick with the far superior Blood Brothers, is a suspended cop now working as a consultant. His theory on the murders is way out despite the fact that he is proved correct.Kathy Baker, looking much older and in some scenes like Hillary Clinton, plays a lady police officer with plenty of problems of her own. In addition, we have to cope with a series of robberies and a young female cashier with hangups as well. Too much was attempted here and it just doesn't work.

It has been a long time since I watched a series with such a delight. The Jesse Stone series is surely going into TV-History. It is beyond time and will be watchable even in 50 years from now. Tom Selleck is an icon of the 80's, but I'm sure he will be remembered for these wonderful movies. Tom is playing with minimalism, but every word, look, and breath is telling more than any short handed written hip cop series can say.The pictures and the music are leading you into the small town world perfectly. If you are open for it, you can dive in and follow.Even from an European perspective I can tell, that America can be proud of such a quality TV-work.

Jesse Stone: No Remorse is a movie that chooses substance over style. The movie stays away from tons of action scenes, impressive camera angles and CGI. Instead this is a movie with a story that actually focuses on the story (consisting mainly of dialogue). The movie is labeled as a crime/mystery but personally I would label it more as a drama centering around burned out detective Stone's life and his interactions with other interesting characters in his small town, and a subplot about the solving of a couple of murder cases and robberies. The subplot isn't as thorough though. Therefore I advice people that are going to watch this movie to not expect to watch a complex 'whodunit' movie. I haven't seen the previous installments of the Jesse Stone series but I can say that in the way this movie was presented I was able to follow the plot. I must say this movie did raise my curiosity, so I might watch the other Jesse Stone movies. I'm not much of a television viewer, let alone a television film viewer. I was very surprised to see how good this movie is. I found this to be better than a lot of movies I watched in the cinema recently. The intriguing dialogue and good acting makes this charming little film a worthwhile experience. 8/10

I have read all the novels and have seen all the movies with Tom Selleck. He will always be remembered as Magnum P.I., but Jesse Stone is his very best work. If you are looking for loads of action No Remorse will not fit the bill. It has excellent characters, very smart dialog and great performances. I am tired of reading how this series is slow. I don't want car chases and super human cops kicking down doors. Tom Selleck's Jesse is flawed, human and holding on for dear life. The supporting case is first rate, William Devane, Saul Rubinek (whose character is very much wounded like Jesse), Stephen McHattie as the State Homicide Captain, Kathy Baker as Rose and Kohn Sudduth as Luther are all excellent, nothing blazing, but the perfect touch by each in support of Tom Selleck. Another under rated performance is William Saddler as Gino Fish, his cat and mouse game with Jesse is always interesting to watch. In No Remorse, Gino lets his his guard down ever so slightly to Jesse, SLIGHTLY, their scenes together are superb. I look forward to Tom Selleck's Jesse Stone, is in many ways the movies characterizations are superior to the novels. That is very hard to do. In No Remorse Jesse is still suspended as Paradise Police Chief, he is drinking heavily. There is a crime wave in town and Luther and Rose are prohibited from talking to Jesse. Capt Healy calls on Jesse for help with apparent serial killer in Boston. The dialog and performances are excellent and my only disappointment was the ending. Of course the ending is the set up for the next Jesse Stone movie Innocents Lost. My final note is that this web site does not make note of this production. My understanding is that production is complete and another movie is being readied for filming.