Prime Suspect with Helen Mirren

17 years ago

Did anyone else catch the miniseries of "The Final Act," the last of the Helen Mirren Prime Suspect episodes? I hadn't realized that the episodes have been appearing since 1991, for a total of 7 all told. I've never missed even one of these, mostly because of Helen Mirren but also because the shows always seem so starkly realistic.

These miniseries have always been dark and this last one darkest of all, I thought. Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennyson, now on the eve of retirement and seriously alcoholic, continues to be sharp-witted and imaginative. Yet the blackouts cripple her ability to stay on task. Well, if you haven't seen it, I won't give any spoilers except to say that Jane almost blows her own case because of a misjudgment. I had figured out the killer in Part I but the complex array of "prime suspects" made the journey to an arrest always a little uncertain.

I think Helen Mirren is one of the best actresses in the world right now. I'd love to hear what others think of the miniseries or any of her other roles.

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Comments (5)

mwoods
17 years ago
I see as many of her films as I can because I agree she's one of the best actresses on the planet. DH and I went to see her yesterday in The Queen and then later on I curled up on the sofa with one of my quilts and watched Prime Suspect. Like Dame Judi Dench she plays a myriad of roles from the comic to the the tragic and does it all with such style. I loved Calendar Girls,Greenfingers,which all gardeners would enjoy,Elizabeth I,Gosford Park..there are so many. Her portrayal of Jane Tennyson is brilliant and has been from the first series. I guess you could say I'm ga ga over this woman.
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mjmercer
17 years ago
When I grow up I want to be Helen Mirren.

Yes, I watched the final mini-series. Well, except for the first hour of last night's installment. I could kick myself for forgetting it was on! I've watched the Prime Suspect series since I first became aware of them. That was sometime around 1997 or 98. I agree they are all dark (and all brilliant). But I thought the darkest was the one with a bad-guy character called "The Street." Storyline was something about a teenage boy being murdered and then his sister was tortured and mentally abused by the suspect. I believe this was also the series where Jane made major choices in her personal life which only added to the impact.

I also loved her in a two-part miniseries called Painted Lady on Masterpiece Theatre circa 1998. Wow, what an actress. IMHO the only actress who rivals her in talent is Dame Judi Dench. As Time Goes By airs locally every Saturday night at 7:30 on our local PBS station. I've seen every episode at least three times and I *still* tune in. :o)

Anyway, I too am a huge Helen Mirren fan. If she doesn't win the Oscar for The Queen I suggest we all chip in for a trophy and send it to her!

Karen
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sheila
17 years ago
I did the same thing for entertainment as you yesterday, Marda.

Helen Mirren has tremendous depth in her performances.
I thought she was remarkable last night - she never once steps outside of her character and that's also a tribute to fine writing and directing. Last night's episode was so well crafted ~ every single actor in it was superb and so much was said by what wasn't spoken out loud.
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gabriell_gw
17 years ago
I've seen all the Prime Suspect shows through the years.I think they have been consistently first rate.Several years back, had somewhere to be on a night when the last installment was on.I taped it and played it back the next day.To my horror the vcr didn't play and didn't eject.I took the player to be repaired and was told it would be better just to buy a new one.It took the repairman forever to get out the tape.I bought a new player and was able to view what I had missed.
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andie_rathbone
17 years ago
I've always love Prime Suspect, even before I really knew who Helen Mirren was. For the longest time I'd see a movie & think, "Oh yeah, it's the woman from 'Prime Suspect.'" We Tivo'd the latest series & I'm going to watch it this weekend.
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Prime Suspect with Helen Mirren

Comments (5)

mwoods

mjmercer

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