Prime Suspect 1
|
List Price: Our Price: $5.45 You Save: $24.53 (82%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Prime Suspect 1
Movie Review: Good but Frustrating
Summary: 4 Stars
Four-stars given for a fairly appealing and interesting story, well-acted and so forth. However, unfamiliar British-isms predominate, which can contribute to some interpretative confusion. In addition, the tale ends abruptly with a major story-changer, but there is no followup or conclusion in subsequent seasons. So I was left quite frustrated and disappointed by Season 1.Movie Review: Ever Dependable
Summary: 4 Stars
Wonderful acting and terrific production values as always, plus the authentic feel of a misogynistic police department -- holed, but thankfully not sunk, by a few serious plot loopholes.Movie Review: murder mysteries
Summary: 3 Stars
Reviewing the Complete Collection which I bought, this is my review.
One vicious murder/mystery after another. Incredible acting, though the story-lines were extremely brutal. Also, imo, the male dominance over female Jane T. was quite a bit overdone, and the horror of the depictions over some long decayed bodies, not to mention the violent ways they were murdered, blood curdling. Yet the plots themselves were good, if very sadistic.
My main personal objection was that there were no sub-titles with the films, nor did using DVD remotes which provides subtitles when the film itself doesn't, didn't help. All I got was gibberish type. These are the only films out of hundreds I own, that this happened on. Many films, even most British films provide their own subtitles, even the old ones. Almost all American films provide subs.
As an American, I only caught parts of the language, and that was a huge draw back. This was especially true in neighborhoods where the actors were speaking not only a British dialect, but a foreign British dialect, often very fast, making most of their dialogue impossible to understand. Most of the crimes did occur in such such neighborhoods or in poor neighborhoods where language sounded more like gibberish. Very frustrating. Even the cops rarely spoke distinctly, much of it fast and under their breath. All, except for Jane. No problem with her. She spoke clearly, and her British accent didn't distract from understanding what she was saying.
As said before, the police's constant harassment of Helen Mirren (Jane) was a bit over the top and after a few adventures it became tiresome, and made the cops in charge appeared corrupt, which a few were. Helen Mirren was great as usual, and so was the cast, (which is why I bought the films) but the constant actions of police and their "lets get Jane" attitude became silly and boring as she had proved herself over and over again. Is there really that much anti-feminism and jealousy in the British male police force? No wonder the Queen's palace made a mockery of Princess Diana, and stood up for their cheating son, Charles. Perhaps the writers just used it as xtra difficulties in Jane's life, as if she didn't have enough on her plate. Big question. Why she stayed on the force was never made clear. Few scenes depicted her as even slightly happy. Every plot was as violent and creepy as the next, and after a while I wasn't sure why I was watching. But I did, to the end ... the first time. This year, I watched them again, but this time it disturbed me more than the first, and so somewhere into the 3rd story, I put them away. I did think the first one was the best of the lot. No need to bring it back on disk 4 especially with a different actor as the killer.
Poor Jane had a hard time on her job, and gradually took to drink and addiction. An unfortunate ending for a dedicated cop who was one of the few actors whose speech I could understand.
Movie Review: A Murder Mystery with a Hidden Agenda
Summary: 2 Stars
Prime Suspect 1
This 1991 film begins at night when cars drive down the street. The police arrive to see the body of a young woman. She has been dead for 1 to 2 hours [but her blood is not black and clotted].A small black book is given to the detective in charge, John Shefford. The blood type is analyzed from the fluid. There is a match on the computer to a man recently released from prison for a rape. George Marlow is arrested and interrogated. [The personal life of Jane Tennison pads out the story.] The lead detective has a heart attack; who will replace him? DCI Tennison wants what she should have. The victim was incorrectly identified as Della Mornay so the body must be identified from the missing persons report. [Does all that smoking have symbolism?] The details of the crime are explicit; the victims were tortured before death.
The policemen resent their first woman detective [a subplot]. The victim was identified (Karen Howard). Her boyfriend knows nothing since they broke up. Suspect Marlow is released for lack of evidence. Then another victim is found, this is Della Mornay who rented the small flat. Where are the missing pages from Della's diary? The same torture marks as on Karen. DCI Tennison goes on live TV to get witnesses or find the missing car. Someone calls in as a witness, but identifies another man. The investigation goes on. [There is more padding to fill up time.] Tennison discovers something while working late and goes to Oldham. Re-interviewing witnesses finds a new fact taht wasn't in the reports. Is there another suspect? But Tennison may be off the case. What is the connection between the victims? An assistant notices a connection. Moira is brought in for questioning. Will she talk? When George and Moira leave their flat they are followed by the police. There is a shocking discovery! [Now you know how it will end.] There is an arrest of a suspect for the six murders. Questioning continues until an emotional outburst and a final admission. The courtroom scene will have a final surprise.
This is an interesting story in spite of the padding and interpersonal conflicts. I suspect Moira knew more that what she told. The hidden agenda is to show the police biased against a female chief detective. We don't know how true this is in England or other European countries. The suspect seems to hold a low-paying job but can afford to rent a large garage and let someone else hold the key. The one redeeming value of this film is its display of urban scenery. Was the cast larger than necessary?
Movie Review: Very typical European Show
Summary: 2 Stars
I had read/heard a lot about Prime suspect. It's good if you really enjoy european style drama. 4 episodes on 2 cds. Frankly it didn't do it for me. The acting was mediocre, plot was 50/50 prove this guy did it/deal with a woman being in charge. There was not a great deal of suspense. My lack of enjoyment certainly is colored by my bias towards american style cop dramas. I won't be purchasing #2.