Tom Selleck’s fourth turn as Robert B. Parker’s alcoholic police chief finds Stone distracted and drinking again after his ex-wife tells him she’s been seeing someone. Coming to the conclusion that Jesse stays sober because his job requires it, Stone’s therapist (William Devane), tells him to find a case, any case, in which to invest himself. So, Stone reopens a fifteen-year-old bank robbery that resulted in the death of a female teller. Meanwhile, an eighteen-year-old girl and her father stop into the police station accusing a visiting playboy of rape, and the brother of a hitman Stone set up to be killed comes after Jesse for revenge.
In terms of plot, this movie is the furthest departure from Parker’s books so far; however the characters’ dialogue and the story’s moral center are as true to Parker as can be without becoming annoying. In fact, having read a synopsis of the book Sea Change, I find the movie’s twists more realistic.
As with mid-season episodic TV, there are no life-changing events in Sea Change, but guests Kathy Baker and Sean Young fit nicely with the dependable regulars. Selleck’s work in Sea Change earned him an Emmy nomination, but his performance in all four movies is worth watching.
The DVD is presented in widescreen with scene selection and optional English subtitles.
Gerald So
For more of Gerald’s thoughts and observations, check out his blog: If you want to know about my Life…
For more reviews from Gerald, and the rest of the Crimespree crew, check out the index of reviews.
