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JACK IRISH

Set 2 (2014)

Based on the novel DEAD POINT by award-winning writer Peter Temple.

Director: Jeffrey Walker
Writer(s): Matt Cameron
Cast: Guy Pearce, Marta Dusseldorp, Aaron Pedersen, Roy Billing, Shane Jacobson …
Guest Stars: Deborah Mailman, Vince Colosimo, Kay Stewart, Barry Humphries, John Jarratt, Tess Haubrich…

MPAA Rating: NR – Contains strong language, violence, graphic images, nudity, and sexual situations.

1 Disc
Run time: approx. 83 minutes

Price: $34.99

Genre: Australian noir, crime drama, private investigator, suspense/thriller

Reviewed by Cherie Jung
(September, 2014)

In Set 1, Jack Irish was introduced as an ex-criminal lawyer, a gambler, a debt collector, a drunk, and part-time, down-on-his-luck private investigator. His “mean streets” are in present day Melbourne, Australia. In Set 2, Jack takes on a case that pulls him back into Melbourne’s criminal underworld as his past resurfaces.

As is usually the case for Jack, he has more going on than he can keep up with. Strang needs his help in putting right a vicious beating, Jack’s father-in-law needs help to recover incriminating evidence before he releases his findings in a corruption case, and way too many people are trying to kill him. Even Jack thinks so.

There was plenty of action, some nice twists and turns, and the final outcome was in doubt right up until the last few seconds. The ending was quite satisfying, too.

Jack has a new haircut (a definite improvement), the same old stubble beard, and appears to be drinking less. (Less as in quantity, not necessarily in frequency.) I must admit he has become a more likeable character.

However, unless you’re really a die-hard fan of the series, the price for one 83 minute episode is a bit steep, although “Dead Point” is probably the best episode yet in the series. I recommend renting it before buying it.

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