JESSE STONE: NIGHT PASSAGE

US, 2006, 96 minutes, Colour.
Tom Selleck, Stephanie Mark, Stephen Baldwin, Polly Shannon, Saul Rubinek, Viola Davis, Kohl Sudduth.
Directed by Robert Harman.

Stone Cold was the original pilot telefilm for the series of movies starring Tom Selleck as Chief Jesse Stone. The character comes from a series of novels by Robert B. Parker, best known for writing in the vein of Raymond Chandler. This screenplay was written by Tom Eperson, writing partner of Billy Bob Thornton, Sin Blade, One False Move.

Tom Selleck had proved durable on television with Magnum PI. In his sixties, he invests the character of Jesse Stone, divorced alcoholic, with a world-weariness as well as an integrity. Stephen Baldwin portrays the psychotic villain. Saul Rubinek is a white crime boss in the town of Paradise, Massachusetts. His character was to reappear in several of the films as was that of Viola Davis (Oscar nominee for Doubt) as Molly Crane who worked in the bureau. Kohl Sudduth as Luther ‘Suitcase’ Simpson also appears in all the films.

While Stone Cold was made first, this story actually precedes it and explains why Jesse Stone moved from Los Angeles to the town of Paradise, Massachusetts.

All the films in the series from 2006 to 2009 were directed by Robert Harman (The Hitcher, They).

1.Tom Selleck as a popular television star? His character of Jesse Stone? The popularity of the series?

2.The opening in Los Angeles, the drive across the United States, Paradise, Massachusetts, the ordinary town, precincts, the water, Stone’s house, the warehouse? An authentic atmosphere? Score?

3.The character of Stone, his background divorce, his wife’s continually ringing him? His drinking? The interview with Hathaway, his being drunk? His concern about getting the job, that he wouldn’t hire himself? His relationship with the other members of the team, discussions with Molly Crane, reliance on Luther, the nickname ‘Suitcase’? His suspicion of the other officer? The farewell to the previous chief? His death?

4.Stone and his personal life, the discussions with Abby Taylor, meals, the relationship with her?

5.The domestic violence, Joe Genest, his violence towards his wife, the alienation of his daughter? Stone physically attacking him? His double-dealings, his murder of the police chief, driving the car off the cliff? Telling Hathaway? The confrontations with Stone? The information from the police chief from Boston? The set-up, Genest and the gun, his confession, Luther handling the situation, Hathaway shooting him?

6.Hathaway, financial deals, money laundering? Paying off the former sheriff? Using Joe? Joe with his Mob connections, an assassin? His being horrified by the murder? The meeting with Stone, the discussions, the confrontation with Joe, his shooting him? His wife, the real estate? Her relationship with Joe, with Luther?

7.The characters in the precinct, how well delineated? Molly Crane and her friendship with the former sheriff? The discussions with Stone?

8.Stone, his discussions with Joe’s daughter, her surliness, his sympathy, helping her?

9.An entertaining crime story? Party of a series?