Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise (2006)

Pretty Good

Good movie but grossly overrated

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

The third film in the Jesse Stone series which was based on the third book by Robert B. Parker. The most complete film, for me it is the best from the first three. You will find it a lot different than the previous two, it's filled with a lot of suspense moments till the last minute. I think retaining the same director so far for the series worked so well. It was just a 90 minute film, but feels it runs for very long and that is not in a boring way, but from the development wise, it is a well made film.In a small town, like what Jesse says who he mostly gives out parking tickets gets a new case to get engaged. This time it is a death of the young teen girl whose body was washed up on the river's edge, but completely unidentifiable. Jesse follows where all the clues lead and after getting the details about the missing children around the town of Paradise, he moves on one step closer to identify the victim as well as to mark the suspect. But then again, the twist and turns brings more interesting aspect of the story and his big city experience comes into effect after his co-worker was badly hurt in a shootout.In this, it was Mae Whitman as in a guest appearance, but it was too short as she stays for only a couple of minutes. The other one was Stephen Baldwin, whose character adds more flavour like abolishing one film one case kind of mindset in a cop theme. Because in the real police work, they deal multiple cases at a time.In this, as well in the lead Tom Selleck was awesome. But while his character over obsessed with the case, the film reveals his psychological side of the desperation to bring the justice to the dead girl. Like the girl appearing in his dream and particularly in the station, he hallucinates about her which describes him in a completely different angle for a second. Besides, there's slight sentiments in it and so it also digs on his new romance interest for a school principal, but the Jesse is very clear on what he's seeking after leaving the LA that his job comes first."This job in Paradise is my last job. I get off the bus here."In some case, finding the suspect alone is not valid to prove someones crimes, so what this story's notion is to find the motive which automatically going reveals everything rest behind the crime. I think very smartly written story, I was fascinated by all the development like step by step how a death enquiry takes place. Released in the same year as the previous film, this is another wonderful detective film made for the television.Solid performances, particularly Davis Viola and Kohl Sudduth who are the regular cast did not fail to deliver in their small screenspace. But I expected the big contribution, and I hope in the following film they would achieve that. So in this you are going to witness the Jesse's job commitment, his personal life was sidelined to a marginal. Particularly his ex-wife never calls which I thought kind of annoying in the first two films to taking over than the usual. Jesse does not drink in this, but can be seen him with a coffee mug in most of the parts.If you like murder-mysteries, then this is the film to pick, but I suggest to go for the whole series, begin with the first. I have seen only three films, but I think it is worth giving a try. There's only small clichés like how the police department works, but the narration was very good with the full details. The pace was excellent against the strong story and the character developments. Jesse's courage was another highlight. He always takes risks his life, especially dealing the situation when men are armed and pose a serious threat.Sure, the film will live up to anybody's expectations and also it can be watched by everyone. You probably have seen many cop films, but this is one of those must not miss. I'm happy for this part to focus on the child molestation topic. Like I said in my last review, so far so good and particularly standing up to this film's standard is quite what I'm looking for in the next one. Anyway, it won't too long for another review in the Jesse Stone series.9/10

I thought the characterisation, especially of Stone, were very good. Selleck had the right air of a good man with problems. Molly and Suitcase were good support in the force. The relationship between Stone and Lily Summers seemed a little strange but Orla Brady was pleasant and gave the impression that there was a lot hidden below the surface.William Devane and Stephen McHattie were underused.The murder mystery was somewhat flimsy - especially the ending. Stone works out the killer based on knots. (And Shaw doesn't look like an experienced yachtsman, to me !) Of course, he has absolutely no evidence. In a 1960s detective show, the villain would have broken down and confessed in front of a room of witnesses. We aren't that unrealistic now. Instead, the villain's henchman accidentally shoots his boss saving Stone the trouble of proving that he planned the murder. Then Stone has to kill the henchman (who had actually committed the murder) - in self-defence of course.That's two guys that Stone shoots in self-defence.Overall, though, I enjoyed the movie. Definitely above average.I'd be interesting in reading the book to compare the two.

This is the third in the Jesse Stone movie series and I thought it was the best. Selleck is just perfect as the flawed, but honorable main character. What makes this series so good is what others have written; the pacing of the films is thoughtful; the characters are adult and complex; it has plot and intelligence over car crashes and special effects though it has action and romance in it to be sure. You like Selleck's character instantly and his scenes with his other officers,the State Police Detective and the shrink he see's about his drinking, are all terrific.In the special features on Stone Cold Selleck says people have a 'hunger' for this type of adult entertainment where plot and story are more important than rapid fire visuals--and that is so true. It's surprising how good this series is--it's way better than 95% of what's in the theaters. Tom Selleck in a really good cop movie or Pirates of the Caribbean part IV--it's no contest.

I enjoyed watching the movie and have currently finished reading the next Jesse Stone book. Hooray for TV movies that are of the quality of big screen movies with well written, defined, true to life characters. Tom Selleck as Jesse Stone is my hero as he struggles with problems of work, alcohol, and loneliness as we all do. The story deals with the subject of child abuse and the resulting trauma that some people try to sweep under the rug or ignore rather than deal with which in this story results in a murder of an abused child. The other returning actors are great as the friends and co-workers who provide their own story lines interweaving with Selleck's.