Reprinted from Green Man Review.
Prime Suspect is not just another detective show. Made for Granada Television in England, the programme began in 1992, documenting the career of Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison through her struggles in London (or Manchester). Struggles with her cases, certainly, but also struggles to be recognized as a successful woman in the man’s world of homicide investigation. The programmes dealt with sexism, racism, pornography, pedophilia, and with the internal workings of the police force. No holds barred, no topic taboo. The original programmes have been aired on PBS in the U.S. since their creation, and now the entire run is available on DVD. The Final Act is series seven, the last of the set.
By now Jane Tennison (played brilliantly by Helen Mirren) is a Detective Superintendent, but there is much pressure on her from within to retire. She’s a troublemaker for the status quo. Her father is dying, and she is retreating to the comfort of an alcoholic haze more and more. She has dealt with this situation over the years, not always successfully, and now the pressures are mounting. A 14 year old girl is missing, presumed murdered, and Tennison promises to solve this case before she retires. Mirren is marvelous in this role. Her stunningly beautiful face can show compassion as well as disgust, frustration as well as pity.
Tennison’s old nemesis Bill Otley (who had it in for her at the beginning of her career) returns to sort out their relationship, in a surprising way. Tom Bell turns in a performance every bit as powerful as Mirren’s in this role. The detectives under Tennison’s command have grown to respect and trust her, not so the politically motivated higher-ups who have leap-frogged over her. Nevertheless Jane Tennison rises above the crime and corruption, the lies and deception to form a bond with the dead girl’s friend, and while disappointing her in many ways, Tennison manages to regain her trust and lead the investigation to its ultimate conclusion.
Not just another detective show. No gimmicky camerawork with closeups of blood cells or bullets moving silently through space. This is a film about people. Good people and bad people, sometimes together in one body. Flawed human beings like you and me. And the central character is no different. She has a temper, an attitude, she makes mistakes but ultimately she gets the job done. Prime Suspect: The Final Act is one of the finest police procedural shows ever made. A fitting capstone to the series. A testament to quality television.
(Acorn Media, 2008)
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