Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost (2011) Reviews

• Not quite up to the usual standard

  macilrae2011-05-22

  It's hard to do justice to Jesse Stone watching it on commercial TV: so far I have held out for the DVDs but the ending of the excellent last episode was so suspenseful, I couldn't wait. The greatest strength of this series has always been the subtle characterizations - of course Jesse himself, but also Suitcase, Rose, Dix, Healy, Hasty, Hanson, D'Angelo and Doc Perkins - all brilliantly drawn and acted, without any need to go overboard. Yet, this time, I felt there was a bit too much dependence on past character development and a rehashing of a lot of their old lines (Hasty, for example, must always say "I'm very fond of you, Jesse"): I didn't find any of the new appearances were particularly engaging; with the possible exception of the wonderfully odious new Chief (sorry I didn't get his name), they seemed rather a grey lot - and the issue here is direction and screenplay, not acting. The end was a bit too sudden for me and, yet again, we must wait for the next episode before a number of loose ends get resolved (including the main plot-line). Actually, my channel concluded so abruptly that there were no end credits and I didn't realize it was over. Robert Harmon builds atmosphere brilliantly, the screenplay is witty and taut (but rather less so this time) and some clever in-jokes with Jesse using Dr. Dix's "what do you think of that?" At times it teeters on the edge of sentimentality with Jesse almost weeping and Gino Fish becoming almost affectionate – on the edge, I say, but certainly not over it. It's not the best episode but I hugely look forward to seeing it on DVD and may then be obliged to revise some of my first impressions. The synopsis here is incorrect, by the way, when is says that Jesse is reinstated.

• Another installment of the top-notch murder mystery series.

  thedreamer62011-05-22

  Although the Jesse Stone character was created by Robert B. Parker, and he wrote an entire series of books based on him, this particular story was penned by the star, Tom Selleck, along with Michael Brandon (one of the executive producers). As such, their collaboration has resulted in a most-excellent continuation of the Stone series. But Jesse is not reinstated as Chief of the town of Paradise as is stated in the IMDb movie description. Instead, he works solely on his own this time as he strives to solve two unassociated crimes, one which involves the death of a young friend of his. Unfortunately, Jesse is still struggling with personal issues including his interest in hard liquor. Although there may be several times during progression of the story that viewers may feel frustration over how things are going, everyone will come away from the film with an undeniable sense of satisfaction, and the ending, as always, will leave you yearning for additional future stories. Tom Selleck is an impressive, professional actor, and his exquisite portrayal of this role is part of what keeps people coming back for more.

• Has Robert B. Parker willed his fame Jesse Stone to Tom Selleck?

  JohnRayPeterson2011-05-25

  The seventh and hopefully not the last episode aired just this past Sunday, but that prospect looms ominously in my opinion. The seventh instalment of the Jesse Stone character on film delivers the usual mystery death(s) we know Jesse will likely solve, but the faith of the bad guys is most often the biggest surprise of the Jesse Stone stories. Again, to my personal delight, the bad guy dies at the hand of former Sheriff Stone, in a perfect trap we can only somewhat presume was Jesse's checkmate move; as usual we were not privy to the plan until it unfolded. Jesse struggles with his usual demons, the liquor and his divorce. A new love interest in Gloria Reuben is introduced, well maybe just a friend with lovely benefits; and this is one that makes it alive by the end of the movie. Occasionally they die. His friends Luther, Rose, Saul, Commander Healy and Dr. Dix, even quasi-friend Gino, as well as a renewed appearance by Sister Mary John are familiar faces doing their usual thing. About Sister Mary John, we were fooled in believing for a fleeting moment, thanks to very good editing, that she and Jesse have an affair. Well it's the second episode he's blunt about his intention in that respect, so we can hope. All and all, this episode delivered our annual dose of characters we like and a story we can claim is a good mystery. The pace and the mood always the same slow and thoughtful process; I often remark in many other of my reviews that this or that movie leaves me with a grin, a smile or excited still, etc., but a Jesse Stone movie is one that makes me sigh at the end. It's not a sigh of disappointment, absolutely not; but I have a hard time finding the right words. I can describe how I feel; glad most of the key characters are alive and hopeful that Jesse will maybe find something close to happiness at least before the end of that series. We could say there's a Jesse Stone movie cult, if others feel the same way I described.

• Trying For A Comeback

  bkoganbing2011-09-08

  Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost has the former Paradise, Massachusetts police chief trying for a comeback and his small staff of Kathy Baker and Kohl Sudduth wishing he hadn't gone. But he riled up some members of the town council and one of them has put his nephew in as the new police chief. The rather arrogant and fatuous new chief is played by Jeff Geddis. Tom Selleck as Stone has a perpetual savior who has come for his aid on a couple of occasions. Stephen McHattie who is head of the homicide division of the Massachusetts State Police has a case he's having second thoughts about, but the trial is going on. Selleck interviews the defendant who is on trial for murder and who won't provide an alibi as to his whereabouts at the time of the crime. Selleck also has instincts that prove correct. At the same time Selleck is investigating this crime a young girl whom he had arrested while on the job has died of a drug overdose. That investigation is on the house and with his credentials supplied by McHattie, Selleck goes off on another investigation and in his usual style steps on toes. What are they going do, fire him? The Jesse Stone movies are all good, some are better than others. But Tom Selleck has totally gotten away from Magnum, PI. This grim man with issues is so different from Thomas Magnum. Check Selleck out in all of them if you can.

• Pretty bland

  squirreld32011-08-12

  I love the Jesse Stone series but I have to say this is the worst one of the bunch. The storyline and plot are pretty bland and a lot of the same dialogue from the other films. The way the actors talked did not seem real as they were spouting off fast dialogue and weren't talking in a tone or pace that most people do(hard to explain if you haven't seen it) Hopefully the next movie will learn from this one's mistakes. Jesse is still seen moping around and doesn't go anywhere with his exwife. Nothing really changed from the other ones. While this was not as in depth or just not as interesting as the previous 6, which I really enjoyed. Weakest of the series. Should be subtitled: A brooding Jesse stares at his dog. Abrupt transitions and ending. Issues left resolved. Feels incomplete.