Customer Reviews

Jesse Stone: Death In Paradise

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Both sensitively acted and directed, "Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise" is another winner in the "Jesse Stone" series of television films. Star Tom Selleck and director Robert Harmon must really be committed to this series, as every aspect of these productions are top notch.

Of course, one can air a minor complaint here and there. For example, like the previous entry, "Jesse Stone: Night Passage", this one ends a little too neatly and abruptly (just like in "Passage", everything is explained and resolved during a closing shoot-out), but that's only a small negative in an overall very good adaptation. I'm certainly onboard for "Jesse Stone: Sea Change", the fourth movie in the series (I always wait for the DVD releases of these films because I hate all the television commercials).

By the way, as these reviews are supposed to be "helpful", here's the order that I recommend that these stories should be watched:

1) Jesse Stone: Night Passage... This was the second film to be produced, but chronologically (as it recounts Chief Stone's earliest days as Paradise's police chief) it takes place first. For example, a character who is killed in "Stone Cold" (the first film produced) is seen good as new here, because of this story's earlier time frame. Trust me, watch this one first.

2) Stone Cold... The first film produced, but if you watch it second, you'll enjoy the seamless transition from "Jesse Stone: Night Passage" into "Stone Cold". This also gives the aforementioned death in this movie more dramatic heft, because we've already seen Jesse spend a lot of time with the character in question in "Passage".

3) Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise... This one picks up directly after the events in "Stone Cold", even though it was produced right after the origin story that was "Jesse Stone: Night Passage".

4) Jesse Stone: Sea Change... Fourth film to be produced, fourth film you should watch. This one's easy enough, at least, right?

One final thought, if you enjoy these TV films, you should try the Robert B. Parker novels in which they're based. The films are very close to the novels, but the novels give you more details, a less compressed pace, and more vivid characterizations. But make no mistake, the movies are definitely worth seeking out, too.

Tom Selleck IS Jesse Stone, a character created by the great mystery author Robert Parker. Selleck plays a burned out, alcoholic LA cop who takes a job in the small town of Paradise, Massachusetts as sheriff. "Death in Paradise" is a tale of domestic violence, mob intrigue and the poignant, obsessive quest by the emotionally damaged Stone for the killer of a young girl. This story line actually occurred in the Parker series prior to the novel that was the basis for CBS's fabulously successful "Stone Cold", Selleck's first outing as Jesse Stone. The screenwriters tweaked the plot of "Death in Paradise" a bit to make it a sequel to "Stone Cold" with excellent results. "Death in Paradise" features a powerhouse cameo by Steven Baldwin. In my opinion, Parker's Jesse Stone series is head and shoulders above the famous Spencer books. The Stone made-for-TV movies are quality productions with superb acting, beautiful cinematography and haunting music. Exceptional TV. Highly, highly recommended. You must also get: Stone Cold and Jesse Stone - Night Passage. The latest Jesse Stone movie is "Sea Change" which aired on CBS in May 2007 Jesse Stone: Sea Change.

Tom Selleck was born to play Jesse Stone. So much so that I can't imagine the character without Selleck. I immediately loved "Stone Cold" when I saw it premiere on TV and I have enjoyed watching Jesse solve crimes ever since.

Death In Paradise is a great little movie with an engaging storyline, believable dialogue (like always), solid production work, and a fantastic cast. I love the theme music for the series and the way that with just a couple simple piano themes so much mood can be conveyed. I've seen all 4 of the Jesse Stone movies and I love them all. I eagerly look forward to more!

I should note that I usually don't watch made for TV movies but I saw "Stone Cold" and I was hooked. It is refreshing when CGI and all manner of film trickery isn't employed and the filmmakers must rely on good old fashioned storytelling. The acting and the writing in this series is tremendous and needs no trickery to succeed.

I have to agree with practically everyone else in applauding Tom Selleck in this role. I have never disliked Selleck, but he has never been one of my favorite actors, probably because I didn't see him in much. Nevertheless, that he fits this role like a glove, or vice versa, is undeniable.

Although I really enjoyed this move, and highly recommend it, I cannot honestly say it was as good as the first one - "Stone Cold". Primarily because the conclusion comes rather abruptly and unexpectedly. (I have not seen Night Passage as I write this.)

Don't get me wrong, it is a very good movie, the plot is good, the movie is very smart, suspenseful, and well-written, overall, however, it just wasn't as good as Stone Cold. The scenes with William Devane are very good and I wish there was more of him (Devane) in the movie.

Many movies may have a big star or 2 in them, but the movie itself is driven by the plot. The 2 Jesse Stone movies I have seen, are driven by the character, i.e. Jesse Stone. The plots are still excellent in both movies, but they never surpass Jesse Stone as the focus of the movie. And in this instance, that is perfectly fine because the character and Selleck's portrayal are fascinating.

Highly Recommended.

This second Jesse Stone made-for-tv movie again stars Tom Sellect as the flawed but likeable police chief of Paradise, Massachusetts, and an older Selleck proves he owns the role. Anyone who is familiar with Robert B. Parkers novels, Tom Selleck or the first movie will feel like they're visiting an old friend here.

In this movie, the body of a teenage girl is found floating in a local lake. With few clues and a local prime suspect who seems to be a step ahead of him, Stone's investigation eventually leads to Boston where he clashes with a local mob boss who seems to know the answers, but wants Stone to figure it out. Parallel to the murder, Stone also deals with a case of domestic violence that turns turns deadly, his alcoholism and feelings for his ex-wife, and a town council not sure if they picked the right person for the job.

Not to say this movie is for everyone. People who dislike Tom Selleck or the Parker novels obviously won't like it, nor will those video-game-raised folks who need constant chases, CGI augmentation and cardboard characters who don't get in the way of the gratuitous mayhem. Like all the Jesse Stone stories, this one is anchored on and driven by characters - how they interact, fail to interact, and how the weight of their pasts affect them as they try to make their way in the world. And the movie has the courage just to watch people thinking -- a rarity in any entertainment these days.

As of this writing, Parker has written six Jesse Stone novels, and Selleck has made four of them into movies. I heartily recommend you track down each one, buy it, and watch it over and over again. You won't be disappointed!

I've read all of Robert B. Parker's Spenser books, and then my ladyfriend picked me up one of his Sunny Randall books - mistakenly thinking that's what I liked. I'd actually been getting a little tired of the Spenser books as I think the basic concept's starting to become a little dated - really, who would actually answer to the name "Hawk?" I didn't much care for Sunny Randal either - but Jesse Stone made an appearance in the book. Here, I thought, was a character with some depth. Moving through his life trying to adhere to a set of principles values while, at the same time, also struggling with his inner demons - now that's a flawed hero I can identify with. I found this movie at my local Blockbuster, loved it, and have since bought it and the two other Jesse Stone movies that are currently available. I think Tom Selleck did a much better job in these movies than he ever did in his 'Magnum PI' series. I'm also anxiously awaiting the DVD release of the fourth. The only reason I rated it four stars instead of five was because of some continuity flaws from movie to movie.

This was very well done, all the actors are very good, normal acting, believiable acting. I bought one video because I like Tom Seleck as an actor, but bought the series because of the acting of the entire cast.

Selleck plays a small town police chief investigating the death of a 14 year old girl who was murdered and dumped in a lake. I have been around peace officers all my life and this this character represents the best among our ranks.
When Tom Selleck was 30 years old he was handsome and projected great charm. Now he is middle aged, even more handsome, and the easy charm is backed up by a very strong,grown up persona with hard won convictions.
This is an absorbing story with a cast of actors that are excellent without the overdone baloney that so oftens distracts from an interesting story.
It has been a while since I offered a review but I really recommend the Jesse Stone movies. Selleck is a joy to watch.

Tom Selleck returns in the third of the series of TV movies based on Jesse Stone, the dogged and flawed small town police chief, as written by Robert Parker.
This time round, the story revolves around a young teenager's murder, following her badly decomposed body being discovered 3 weeks after her disappearance. As before, the story is told in a nuanced and unflinching style, with atmospheric bleak music and dark cinematography. What makes these movies so satisfying is the sense that they are so believable - whether it is the matter of fact way he deals with the crimes, or the sideline plots of domestic violence, or just Jesse Stone's inherent flaws which make him believably human. He drinks. He still harbours a little flame for his ex-wife. The action when it happens is sparse and final.
Previous entries have been solid 4 stars reaching towards the 5th... this one struggles a little to get that 4th star, having a few too many familiar elements from before - the woman of the episode, to act as a foil to Stone's character issues, the last minute tete a tete with the who of the whodunnit, wrapping things up just a little too succinctly. Having said that, it earns the 4 stars, primarily thanks to Selleck who just gets better and better as he ages.
Recommended, above par TV movie.

I've now gotten 4 of the 5 titles(next one slated to ship on 6/18,I think)so far available in this series and they are all terrific. Jesse Stone absolutely fits Selleck like a glove. I especially like the very strong sense of melancholy that seems to envelope this character. With what's gone on his life previously and more recent happenings he's got to really push himself to get on with life. The stories are enormously interesting - not great but they don't have to be the way they are brought to life in these films. Great to see Viola Davis in these and you can see the evolution of her acting leading to the sensational picture-stealing role in "Doubt". Also loved the few but enormously effective scenes between Selleck and William Devane as his shrink(also a recovering alcoholic)- such an easy, natural give and take between those two. The one thing that rankled just a bit is the way the females just want to throw themselves into bed with Jesse but then again, given the apparent competition......
Wonderful series. Hope Selleck and Harmon do many more.