Excellent

Woodyanders

Battered police chief and recovering alcoholic Jesse Stone (superbly played by Tom Selleck) spearheads the investigation of the murder of a pregnant teenage girl as well as has his hands full dealing with an abusive husband (a perfectly slimy turn by John Diehl) who beats his wife (a moving performance by Debra Christofferson).

Director John Harmon relates the absorbing story at a constant pace, maintains an appropriately sober and gritty tone throughout, and adroitly crafts a potent gloomy atmosphere. Selleck anchors the show with his astute portrayal of a flawed and beaten down, but basically decent guy who's trying to hold it together and continually come through under extremely difficult circumstances. Moreover, there are fine supporting contributions from Viola Davis as the sassy Molly Crane, Kohl Sudduth as the eager Luther 'Suitcase' Simpson, Orla Brady as chipper and enticing private school head mistress Lilly Summers, William Devane as coldly pragmatic shrink Dr. Dix, Gary Basaraba as arrogant author Norman Shaw, and Steven Flynn as menacing mobster Lee Finn. The smart script by Selleck, J.T. Allen, and Michael Brandon provides lots of choice snappy dialogue and well-rounded characters. David Gribble's slick cinematography provides a nice polished look. Ace melodic score by Jeff Beal, too. Well worth a watch.

score 8/10

Woodyanders 25 March 2020

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw5576733/