DVD
Review | Prime Suspect 6
Written by: Kage
Alan
It’s been seven years since we’ve last heard from
Superintendent Jane Tennison. Okay, it’s only been a few days for me
because I joined the series a bit late in the game, but for those of
you who watched it on TV, something that is a rarity for me these
days, it’s been years. What has she been up to? Has she continued to
solve cases? Has she lightened up at all? Did she get married? Have
any kids? The answer to those last four questions is, not
surprisingly, a resound “no.”
As this latest installment opens, Tennison (Helen
Mirren) is undergoing a physical and being questioned by a board about
her career. After a bit of chitchat, they put the suggestion forward
that she consider retirement as an option. And why not? She’s done her
bit for Queen and country. Jane fortunately doesn’t have to make that
particular choice right away when the tortured body of a young Bosnian
woman is discovered, prompting her to take over the investigation from a
junior officer. Her prime suspect is another Bosnian worker, but
something just doesn’t sit well with her about it. And if there’s one
thing we’ve learned about Jane, it’s that her hunches are usually dead
on.
An interpreter for the suspect, Milan Lukic (Oleg
Menshikov), arouses Tennison’s suspicions, only she’s uncertain why.
After another victim is discovered, Jane starts to dig a bit deeper and
doesn’t like what she finds. A trip to Bosnia in order to gather
evidence begins to set larger issues in motion, issues that concern the
British government and those who would like to see Tennison end her
investigation. Will she walk away for the greater good or bring down
the real culprit because justice demands it? Watch and discover for
yourself.
This last entry in the “Prime Suspect” series had
me a bit worried since the first hour or so felt like the producers were
making the show just to cash in on the name and actress, not because the
story was that good. However, as the plot progressed, it became evident
that this is the natural evolution of the show and we’ve had 7 years of
TV and film evolution to catch up on. Once the story kicks into high
gear and Tennison finds the pulse, I was glued to the screen. While it
would be easy to steer the series into looking at age and relationship
status, this is about truth, crime and the inevitable outcome. In this
way, “Prime Suspect” remains at the top of its game.
HBO has released “Prime Suspect 6: The Last
Witness” in its original Full Screen format. Video quality is the best
of the six and audio matches. I would expect nothing less since this is
the most recent entry. Now, we get on to the part where I’m usually
ranting, only this time I won’t. You see, for the first time in the
history of the “Prime Suspect” series on DVD (at least here in the US),
we’re FINALLY given an extra feature. Are you ready for this? A “Cast
& Crew Interview” (23 ¼ min). Can you believe it? I almost fell out of
my chair. Helen Mirren and various other cast and crew members offer us
their take on “The Last Witness” as well as the series itself and the
character of Tennison. I could have done without so many clips from the
series, but I’m not going to complain too strenuously. We’re lucky we
got this.
The only negative aspect of this series has been
Tennison’s superiors, who are always intent on seeing her fail,
withholding information and basically making asses of themselves. It
had become so negative that it was difficult to watch the show at
times. Fortunately, while it’s present here, it’s not as bad and
Tennison manages to stick it to them by doing it her way anyway. That’s
what I, as a viewer, needed to see. And with a little luck, this won’t
be the last time we see Jane Tennison.
Film Rating: A-
DVD Special Features: B
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