BLACKJACK: GHOSTS
Australia, 2007, 90 minutes, Colour.
Colin Friels, Marta Dusseldorp, David Field, Sophie Lee, Marcus Graham, Rhys Muldoon, Gigi Edgley, Paul Goddard, Glenn Hazeldine, Simon Lyndon, Sean Micallef.
Directed by Kate Woods.
Ghosts is the last of seven telemovies featuring Colin Friels as Detective Jack Kempson. It brings some development to his character, especially in relationship to his disabled daughter and her prospective marriage. It also develops the character of Sam Lawson, giving a glimpse of her and her relationship with her father. David Field as Inspector Terry Kavanagh has featured throughout the series, antagonistic towards Jack Kempson, especially so in this case – yet supporting him finally in the solution of a cold case. Sophie Lee is the forensic examiner in a relationship with Jack.
The film focuses on a killing in 1986, Marcus Graham as Harry Searle, finishing a twenty-year sentence – but framed for the murder. There are various complications with drug-dealing, robberies, especially with Simon Lyndon as the owner of a nightclub. Rhys Muldoon is the sympathetic stepfather of the young girl whose mother was killed in the initial robbery and escape. Sean Micallef, who created the series, has a guest role as a university lecturer, engaged to Jack’s daughter.
The film was directed by Kate Woods, prolific television director, who also made the award-winning feature, Looking for Alibrandi.
1. The last of the Jack Kempson series? Audience interest? Colin Friels as Jack, Marta Dusseldorp as Sam, David Field as Inspector Kavanagh? The workings of the police department in Sydney? The cold case bureau?
2. The opening credits, the robbery, the masked man and the destruction of the flat, Johnny Vale and his gun, the money being robbed, the getaway car, the shooting, the dead woman? Harry Searle and his being accused, found guilty? The pipe and the fingerprint?
3. Twenty years later, the information about the case? Searle, his serving his sentence, resigned? His drug background? His wife, her leaving him and going with Dave? His daughter, the letters and their being returned? His end of sentence, being released, his gratitude? The reconciliation with his daughter, Jack and his intervention? The money, going to Johnny Vale? His being beaten, hospital, his dying?
4. Jack, his character, the investigations, working with Sam, the long working relationship? Computers, evidence? The touch of the patriarch? The male-dominated atmosphere? His continued clashes with Terry Kavanagh? Being warned off? The police, corruption? Mc Evoy and the truth? The policeman in the toilet and his putting the foam on him? His meeting with Harry Searle ..
Jack, his relationship with his daughter, the dinner with Ian and Liz? Denise present? His suspicions? His being glad that Liz would not marry him?
5. Johnny Vale, the initial robbery, the shooting, his gun? The cover-up, the connection with the police? Twenty years later, the bar, the drug deals, the infiltration by the police? The interactions with Dave? His taking the daughter, the final confrontation after the bashing of Searle? On the roof, the gun?
6. Dave, friendship with Jack, looking after Jenny? His contacts with Vale? Suspicions? The revelation of the truth – the hand-bite, the money? The confrontation on the roof? His being held by Jack? Johnny Vale’s threat, falling to his death? Or was he injured?
7. Jenny, her relationship with Dave, her mother? Harry, the letters, Jack organising the meeting? Her relating to Harry? The father figure? Her grief at his death – hurrying away, taken by Vale, overhearing Dave?
8. Sam Lawson, her work, diligence, detective work, the inquiries? Collaborating with Denise, the forensic evidence, fingerprints? Terry Kavanagh and his putting them on suspension?
9. The interest in cold cases? Evidence, tampering, police corruption, cover-ups? The end of an interesting series?
