Synopsis:
The Movies:
- Jack Irish is down on his luck. Reeling from his wife’s murder, the former lawyer has reinvented himself as a private investigator and debt collector, with a penchant for drowning his demons at the local pub. When an old client dies, Jack is thrust back into the criminal underworld that took everything away from him—but might offer his only chance at redemption.
- World-weary with a dash of dark humor, Jack takes on cases that dig into the dregs of Australian society and expose conspiracy and corruption among the power elite. Along the way, he becomes involved with smart, ambitious journalist Linda Hillier, who realizes there’s an honorable man hiding behind his disheveled exterior.
- Pearce delivers a “funny, sexy performance as a flawed hero whose vulnerabilities are his strongest suits” (The Washington Post) in these three television movies based on the award-winning novels Bad Debts, Black Tide, and Dead Point by Peter Temple.
Season 1:
- The brooding Australian anti-hero of Peter Temple’s award-winning crime novels returns in this six-part drama. Emmy winner Guy Pearce (Memento, Iron Man 3) is Jack Irish, a former criminal lawyer turned private investigator and debt collector. When Jack is contracted to find a man with a criminal past who is then killed in front of him, Jack suspects a set-up. The case spirals into a larger international conspiracy involving Muslim extremists and born-again Christians.
- Meanwhile, Jack’s on-again, off-again girlfriend, journalist Linda Hillier (Marta Dusseldorp, A Place to Call Home), leaves Melbourne to further her career as a foreign correspondent in Manila. Though the job is not exactly what she had planned, Linda quickly realizes she may be on to a big story. As their cases eventually intertwine, Jack and Linda’s reunion is tested by the arrival of Sarah Longmore (Claudia Karvan, The Secret Life of Us), a metal sculptor with connections.
What We Thought:
I wasn’t familiar with the Jack Irish books, movies or series at all before watching these DVDs. I wish I had because it’s right up my alley. It’s an Australian series, but definitely feels like a British Crime Drama.
I’d also compare it to Bosch, the Titus Welliver Amazon series that’s also based on books. Both Welliver and Guy Pearce carry themselves in that same anti-hero/Han Solo type of way, that reluctant hero, “I’m just doing my job” type.
I started with the Jack Irish movies first. Even without reading the books, you really get a solid understanding of who Jack is, why he is who he is, his famous father, the death of his mother, etc. They aren’t quite as layered as a John Le Carré book turned movie, but they do have a lot of depth. They aren’t just your standard detective movies. Jack has a backstory and layers both good and flawed. I watched the first film and immediately watched the other two right afterwards.
I binged the series the following day. If I thought the films were good, the series seems even better. The writing, the dialogue, the direction really work for this type of drama. It’s smart without being convoluted. Jack’s love interest Linda gets a lot more to her in the series as well.
Melbourne sets a great mood especially for the movies. It’s gritty and riddled with crime and bad guys yet looks beautiful at the same time. The women are beautiful, the characters are all fleshed out. You feel like you’re there or at least understand the environment. The old guys at the bar made me laugh.
The series has a more international flair to it because of the storyline. I think that’s why I found the writing and dialogue a bit better. The movies are still very good, but the series ups its game if you will.
For a series I knew nothing about, I really liked Jack Irish Season 1 & Jack Irish: The Movies. Guy Pearce is just perfect in the role. He’s always been a favorite actor of mine, but besides Memento, this might be my favorite thing he’s done. If you like British Crime Dramas and shows like Bosch and aren’t familiar with this series from Australia, then look into it. Both sets are…
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Bonus Features:
- Behind the Scenes Featurette and a Photo Gallery (Season 1)
- Behind the Scenes of Black Tide and Dead Point and a Photo Gallery (The Movies)
Cast & Crew
- Guy Pearce
- Marta Dusseldorp
- Aaron Pederson
- Author Peter Temple
Recommended If You Like:
- Bosch
- Smart Crime Dramas
- Guy Pearce
The Nerds Templar 