Jesse Stone: Sem Remorso

No Remorse, the latest installment of the magnificent Jesse Stone series is only for those who love good character driven drama performed by some of today's greatest character actors. And its for those who can appreciate lens work which teases our senses with charming Cape Cod scenery in contrast to gritty Boston backdrops. The multiple story lines keep it moving, some stories meandering through the work like a brook through the salt meadows, still others rushing with the force of a North Atlantic tide. But all the stories flow in the same direction, some to a conclusion and others to a continuance... like stories do in real life. And as in real life, Jesse's flawed character remains but we can forgive him. After all, who among us has not experienced a broken heart, if not a broken spirit? And who has not witnessed the struggle of loved ones with substance abuse? Talented, productive people with a problem... we have all known one and in some cases we have been one. And so we can all root for Jesse and in doing so we root for ourselves.

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.

Robert B. Parker was a master. Tom Selleck is perfect as Jesse. These movies are well made. But Parker was a dog lover. The ongoing theme of Jesse showing Reggie, the dog, no affection .......is bullshit. Pet the GD dog. Tell him he's a good boy. What the hell is wrong with whoever decided this was a good change from Parker's writing? The movie does Mr. Parker a disservice and the franchise should be ashamed.

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.

I am already on the sixth film in the Jesse Stone series. Once again the film was not based on any book, but original characters from Robert B. Parker's novel. Very interesting opening credit, because that's the clips from a big city. So it leaves an impression that the tale has shifted its base to another town, but that's not entirely true. Yes, it is different from the previous ones, since Jesse's role slightly changed after what happened in the last film. Also a better film after the recent downfall, still not that great, but anyway, Jesse Stone fans will enjoy it.

There's a murder in the opening which was shown to us, but who was behind it remains a mystery, because that's the story of this film to reveal. So the one murder becomes two and followed by another, Jesse, who is now not in the force gets a chance to involve on it indirectly. Besides, the film not to focus on just one case, but multiple like the usual and that's the Jesse Stone series' special. With those layers, how it was developed and ended was smartly done.

Jesse's old boss is out of the prison and he lends some help on something to him. I surprised for the return of Mae Whitman, she's different and played a quite interesting part. I'm also happy for mentioning the Reggie in the film, so far he was unnoticed, but gets a slight recognition here. Finally the mysterious ex-wife's torture ends with this sequel; I believe that's what I saw. Besides, Jesse got a cell phone and there's a series of jokes regarding sharing the number, only minor ones.

"Jealousy's a powerful thing."

Still the same director, and he did a good job. Besides appearing in the lead, Tom Selleck also penned the story for this with another writer. They really did write a nice screenplay, even it could have been adapted for the big screen. So, for the television standard, it is a much better film. The sad part is the original writer, Robert B. Parker's unexpected death during before this film came out. So there's a mention at the end of the film with respect. His contribution must be appreciated, now there are many Jesse Stone fans out there after this series came out and I hope it continues for another decade.

Since the Jesse's absent in the force, his colleagues had taken some serious steps to fight the crime in Paradise. Particularly Luther has taken the charge of the force, and with Rose, only they two are the ones left in the station. On the other hand, they're facing a threat from the town council that they might be disbanded if their work or the result does not meet the target. So that's why this tale becomes so exciting, because they try their best to keep their jobs, but only the follow-up film would disclose about how it all shapes up.

Regarding the murders, the suspense was good, but also gives some hints for the viewers to have their opinion on the suspect. So the end was not bad or its simple twist. After what happened in this story, I'm curious where the next one would take us. Particularly, I'm eager to know Jesse's journey, whether he returns to Paradise or set to work for his boss at the Boston.

Anyway, this film was a turning point for sure; many unexpected things might going to happen in the remaining films. In the those remaining three films, I expect at least one of it would end as the best in the series. So can't wait for those ones to watch and let me meet you with the next review in a couple of days.

7/10