JACK TAYLOR: HEADSTONE

Ireland, 2016, 90 minutes, Colour.
Ian Glenn, Siobhan O’ Kelly, Jack Monaghan, Chris Fulford.
Directed by Stuart Orme.

This is the second film in a later series of Jack Taylor detective stories. It follows closely on the preceding story, Cross, with Jack more benign than he used to be, though still with some toughness, and following through Kate’s diagnosis of breast cancer and, here, her having the surgery. Her cousin Darragh who had returned from England is still about, doing his studies, but ever ready to step in and help Jack Taylor in his investigations.

This is not exactly a murder mystery although there is an initial murder before the credits. Rather, as with Cross, this is a revenge story. And it also relates to some of the past cases with Jack Taylor and his investigations. And, as a small bonus, Father Malachy appears at the end of the film (although Jack Taylor’s quip to him is a reminder of sexual abuse cases).

At the opening, a young man has his finger chopped off and it is sent to his girlfriend with the threat that she is next. This involves Jack and he gets the help of Kate and Darragh while the parents of the young man hire their own private investigator. When the ransom drop goes wrong, Jack investigate and is abducted, along with the girlfriend. But, there are quite a number of twists, culminating in a showdown in a secondary school, explosives, shooting, and a revelation of family hatreds.

1. The popularity of the Jack Taylor series? Investigations? The role of the police, ex-police? The mysteries? The Galway setting? The town, homes, the streets? The musical score?

2. Taylor, older, looking more grizzled, if a touch more benign? His relationship with Kate, love, the issue of trust? His relying on Darragh?

3. The opening, the hooded men, pushing the wheelchair man into the river? Setting a tone?

4. The title, a computer game mentality, the strong destroying the weak? The emblem and the symbol?

5. Bethany, her Goth look, her calling in Jack, the case? The cutting off of the finger, the video, sending it to Bethany, the note that she was next? The judge, his wife, the video message, the wife’s reaction? The background of the judge, his two sons, in the mountains, saving, Connor, risking Ronan’s life, Ronan’s resentment? His going into rehab? His mother not wanting to lose another son, the ransom money, the decision to pay?

6. Jack, the discussions with Kate, going to the doctor, the prospect of the mastectomy, Taylor threatening the surgeon about his manner, Kate and her acceptance, the meal together, Taylor and the decision to buy the house for them? Kate, involvement with the case on the day before the operation? Taylor meant to take her to the hospital, his failing? His visit after the operation, studying the notes – her lying in bed, the visit of the manager of the rehab centre? And not being able to say she trusted Jack? His leaving?

7. Darragh, his background, studies, looking after Bethany, the relationship? His doing his own investigations, the identity of Jimmy Bennett, his photo, going to the pharmacist, the girl being attracted – and the later meeting? His going to visit Bennett’s aunt, the information from the hospital, his going to the farm, being trapped – being led on?

8. The investigator, the clash with Taylor? Working together, delivering the money, in the mall, the money in the bin, the investigator and his tracking device? Taylor watching, the rubbish collector, following him, Bennett arriving on the bike, burning the money, abducting Taylor, he and Bethany tied up? The threat to Bethany’s finger, Taylor sacrificing his own, the cutting of the finger, his getting loose with Bethany?

9. The visit to the rehab centre, the manager, his financial difficulties, friendship with Kate? Confidentiality? The risk of the two being killed? His giving the files? Kate studying them? Taylor studying them?

10. The judge, his anger with Taylor, the background of Taylor’s conflict with Ronan and Ronan losing his eye? The wife supporting Taylor? The ransom increased? The judge going to the function of the school?

11. Taylor and the investigator, searching the warehouse, clues? Finding the director of the rehab? Hurrying to the school?

12. The speeches, the dedication of the sports hall, Darragh and his being tied up with the explosives?

13. The revelation of the truth, Ronan getting his revenge, in collaboration with Bethany? With Jimmy Bennett? The explosives, his father, on himself, shooting the teacher? The reaction of the children? The father and his choice, the explosion?

14. Ronan, his bitterness, hating his father, antagonism towards Jack Taylor? The final confrontation, to shoot Jack? Jack and his surprise movement, the investigator shooting?

15. The resolution of the mystery? Jack and his being on his own, Kate’s reaction, the visit of the rehab director? Ready for the next mystery?