JESSE STONE: INNOCENTS LOST

US, 2012, 95 minutes, Colour.
Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Kohl Suddoth, Stephen Mc Hattie, Saul Rubinek, William Sadler, William Devane, Gloria Reuben, Mark Blum.
Directed by Dick Lowry.

The Jesse Stone film versions of Robert Parker’s novels proved very popular. This is the eighth in the series. There is a continuity from one of the films to another in the life of Jesse Stone as well as the associates of the police chief in the town of Paradise as well as other characters like the gangster who owns a gym in Boston, Gino Fish (William Sadler), the Boston chief of police (Stephen McHattie) and characters like the used car salesman in paradise, Saul Rubineck, and a nun who looks after girls in trouble – Sister John, one of the most glamorous nuns to be seen on screen.

By this stage, Jesse Stone has been relieved of his job as chief in Paradise and the son-in-law of one of the councillors has taken his place – and much of it is made of his unsuitability. The mystery concerns a friend of Jesse, a young woman who was found dead on the road. This leads back to Boston, with tipoffs from Gino Fish, to visits to a rehabilitation centre which sends out clients dependent on drugs, as well as having dubious members of staff. Jesse eventually confronts one of the latter, a drug dealer who forces girls into prostitution, the fate of his former friend and he blames himself for not supporting and losing touch with her.

Once again, William Devane portrays the ex-police psychiatrist that Jesse consults about his problems.

There is plenty of scope for further episodes.

1. The Jesse Stone series? Entertainment? Interest? The continuity of the stories? Characters?

2. The town of Paradise, the police work, the car dealership, Jesse’s home? The locations, the beach, the roads? The contrast with Boston, police headquarters, the gym of Gino Fish, the institutions, catholic, private, restaurants…? The feel of the places? The musical score?

3. The title, the young girl, her family, education, Jesse as a mentor, studies, drugs, moving to prostitution?

4. The continuing portrait of Jesse, in himself, age, with his dog, the tensions with the dog? His house, a refuge? Little phone contact? Two drinks at night? Contact with his ex-wife? His visits to his shrink, the background of the doctor, the police work, his insights for Jesse? At the precinct, Suit, friendship, trust, work? Rose, the bond with her, her work at the office, being asked to do receptionist work, continuing because of the need for salary? Casual sexual relationships?

5. The new chief, interviewing the previous film, his arrogance, relationship to the council, his treatment of Jesse, Suit, taking of his office, of Rose?

6. Hasty, his past, car dealership, Jesse borrowing the car from him?

7. Recurring characters: the Boston police chief, the relationship with Jesse, their work together, authorising him for his investigations? Sister John, the work of the girls, and nun in civilian clothes? The touch of glamour? Jesse and his meal with her? Gino Fish and his gym, his contacts and information?

8. The case, the dead girl, suicide, her past, Jesse failing to follow-up contact with her, her decision to come back to Paradise? Jesse meeting her mother,
her mother’s tough stances? Jesse and his decision to investigate? Authorised by the Chief? The University, getting the information, the rehabilitation centre, the deals, connections, keeping clients drugged? The Paradise connection?

9. Jesse, finding Valeri, confronting him, the violence? In the hotel, Jesse rescuing the girl and sending her home? The visit to Gino Fish, the contact, the mutual respect – even dislike? Fish giving the information? The Valeri and coming to Paradise, the confrontation, the attempt to kill Jesse, Jesse killing him?

10. The pathos of the funeral?