Jack Irish: Bad Debts

Guy Pearce works beautifully with his large and superb supporting cast in Jack Irish while very much being the laid- back centre of the show. It a truly collaborative effort in terms of performances and the script allows for this by sharing around some fabulous dialogue and one-liners. Marta Dusseldorp seems just right as Linda, smart, determined but vulnerable too.

The direction is sharp and thoughtful, the design for locations and sense of place is outstanding, plus the pacing, which I would have thought would have driven the script writers up the wall in condensing from the labyrinth plots of the novel, just hums along.

Special shout-out to Roy Billing (Harry) and the wonderful Aaron Pedersen (Cam) as Jack's racing skallywag mates: the three of them operate seemingly effortlessly together in this first outing for Jack Irish, very believable. And they keep to that high level in all the subsequent episodes.

I love the Jack Irish novels but I was worried the TV adaptation wouldn't do Peter Temple's writing justice. I was so glad to see my fears were unfounded. The show captured the feel of the book perfectly, from the Fitzroy 'youth club', to Charlie the carpenter, to colourful racing identities and hapless and not so hapless crooks. Loved Guy & Martha's crackling chemistry. Guy's portrayal of Jack was just flawless - a slight sense of tragedy an more than a little darkness but not shutting out the world like some other tortured crime novel protagonists. There's a real sense of the Australian male: somewhat stoic, no-nonsense, capable, not beholden to rules but not rebellious for the sake of it, with a good dose of humour thrown in. What's not to love? It doesn't hurt that Guy is getting more sexy as the years go by.

More than any other book I've read, Peter Temple's writing seems to capture the mood or feeling of Melbourne perfectly and I was so happy to find the same sense of place in this production. I can't wait to see more and will. Be re-watching this. This is such great television.

I saw a bit of this years ago.

I stumbled over the dvd set and pounced upon it.

It is sort of detective series set in Australia.

The lead is an ex lawyer who is now a private eye.

I am not Australian and I am sure I miss a lot of the references but despite this I really rate this drama.

Guy Pearce is the lead actor but the rest of the cast is good if unknown to non Australians.

I am praising the 3 tv films starring Pearce,I understand that there was later a tv series with a different lead.

The series might be great but I have not seen it.

I give no plot spoilers but the stories give a compelling view of the underside of Australian society.

A terrific and engaging mystery series from Australia that has a tremendous amount of style, suspense, dark humor and action. A full-on and extremely exciting Australian noir. A stunning and mesmerizing crime-drama. Guy Pearce creates one of his best characters ever in one of his most exciting performances. A thrilling piece of television. It's the real deal; great storytelling and great acting. Guy Pearce brings the late great Peter Temple's down at the heel gumshoe to life. I'll admit, when I first saw Pearce cast as Jack Irish I didn't buy it. But Pearce makes the character his own. Backed by a superb Aussie cast (special mention goes to Aaron Pedersen as the charismatic Cam) witty dialogue and some great Melbourne scenery, it's a must watch for anyone who likes stylish noir, well told.

Let me first say I am not Australian, The island I originate from is on a slightly smaller scale, the Isle of Man!

I have read all the Peter Temple books excepting 'White Dog', which I have been unable to get anywhere and was delighted to see that a couple of Jack Irish novels have been transferred to the screen and although I started viewing with trepidation it was soon dispersed as the storyline was spot-on and the acting by all was superb.

The characters are portrayed exactly as I imagined as are the various locations are not far off either, especially the pub!

Let us hope that more of the novels are transposed to the screen with the same exemplary skill of all concerned.

Now I am off to feast on 'Black Tide'.