BLACK JACK: ACE POINT GAME
Australia, 2007, 100 minutes, Colour.
Colin Friels, Marta Dusseldorp, Craig Mc Lachlan, David Field, Sacha Horler, Alice Mc Connell, Inge Hornstra, John Brumpton, Doris Younane.
Directed by Peter Andrikidis.
Black Jack: Ace Point Game is the fourth in a series of Channel Ten productions focusing on a detective, Jack Kempson, played by Colin Friels. Jack Kempson is in charge of cold cases and opening up investigations and solving them. Colin Friels is at home in this kind of role after his starring in the series Water Rats. Marta Dusseldorp, who appears in many of the films, is an engaging assistant. David Field is the obtuse police commander. There is an interesting supporting cast of character actors from Australian television.
The film, as with a number in the series, was directed by Peter Andrikidis who has worked in television direction since the late 1970s.
1. The entertainment value of this kind of film? The series? Familiarity with the central characters?
2. The Sydney settings, the city itself, landscapes, buildings, streets? The interiors for the police precincts, shops, warehouses, garages? Authentic atmosphere? The score?
3. The team investigating: Jack Kempson in charge, a loner, abrupt, hard on Sam? Sam and her decision to work for the policer? Kavanagh as ambitious, obtuse, lacking imagination? Christine, forensic evidence.The superiors giving consent to Kempson to continue his investigations?
4. Jack, the clashed with the police of the flyspeck of their torturing him, their dealing in drugs? Being ousted? The character of Brompton, railway security, Jack meeting him, going to meet his daughter, is not knowing about the rape, contacting his daughter?
5. Kylie, her life, the effect of the rape, the anger, absent father, talking with him, talking with Jack, finally being able to release the information and the effect on her, information about the horn, the reconciliation with her father?
6. Jack and Sam, their jobs, Jack learning about computers, Sam learning about a police work, her being cut out of interviews by Jack, the offer of the promotion by Kavanagh, the discussions, accepting?
7. Lizzie, the meeting with her father, asking $500, the backgammon competition, the meal, his gift of the money, Jack and his relationship with Christine, learning about backgammon, playing, talking with Lizzie, supporting her, arriving at the final, her not winning, did not mattering?
8. Kavanagh, promotions, spurning Jack, taking credits?
9. Michael, his family, the drink in the pub, his being abducted, stripped, in the cellar, chained, his reactions, self-pity? Mel bringing the food, the water, her sympathy, upset, the story about his wife (and Melanie having taken part in the pageant, knowing the daughter, visiting the house, bringing the box of toys)? Angela and Melanie at work, Mel upset? Angela and her mask, forcing Michael to write the confession, tearing it up? His use of the chains, unlocking the chains, escaping, taking the car? Going home, preparing from holiday with his family? Coming back, the knife and threatening Melanie? Angela and her upset? Kylie’s father, his arrival, the gun, Jack and Sam coming, Jack persuading him that it was not worth shooting Michael? Melanie sudden shooting? The cover-up, Kavanagh knowing the truth?
10. Mike, the family, the grief, the end? His wife being informed?
11. The victim who was raped, successful in business, having power over her case and not wanting to pursue it?
12. The sisters, their ages, effecting the abduction, the good sister/bad sister, the interviews with Jack? The shooting?
13. Christine, her work with DNA, Jack kissing her, the sexual encounter, backgammon? Information for the case?
14. The people at the station? The picture of detective work and its methods? The gardener suspect, his wife? Leading to Michael?
