Category Archives: Adultery

2012, 2014, Abduction, Acorn TV, Adultery, Bloody scenes, British, Clever Plot, Corruption, Detective, Drug Dealers, Extramarital Affair, Police Politics, Police Story, Possibly depressing, Prison, Sadism, Sex With Minors, Suspense, Torture, Violent

Line of Duty (2012)

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From Acorn TV:

Like other police units, AC-12 investigates criminals–but the lawbreakers it catches are police officers working in the line of duty. Martin Compston (Monarch of the Glen), Lennie James (The Walking Dead), and Keeley Hawes (The Casual Vacancy) star in this critically adored series called unmissible by The Times (UK).

Another lucky find!  This really taut British TV series economically keeps the tension mounting from the first police screw-up, through the ever deepening web of corruption and the corresponding undercover investigations. “Cat and Mouse” would be another good title for the series.

Series One from 2012 has 5 episodes. Series Two from 2014 has 6 episodes. There is a 6 episode Series Three from 2016 that Acorn does not yet offer.

For three episodes of Series One I was pleased to recognize Gina McKee in the role of Jackie Laverty.  Long ago in 2002 she played Irene Forsyte in “The Forsyte Saga” which was presented on public television.

NOT QUITE A SPOILER: Just remember that sometimes criminals escape justice.  And just because you watch two seasons, that does not mean that the bad guys are caught.

Today police misbehavior in the USA is a current hot topic. Hopefully this portrait of British police will not make us more cynical.

WARNING: Despite being on the edge of my seat for 11 episodes of a  DO NOT MISS series, I was not happy afterwards.

 

2003, Acorn TV, Adultery, Amusing banter, Arson, British Mystery Series, Child abuse, Detective, Made For TV, Marital Infidelity, Mother-daughter relations, Mother-son relations, Murder Investigation, Spousal Abuse, Torture, Violent

Blue Murder (2003)

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From Acorn TV :

Janine Lewis (Caroline Quentin) is a single mother of four who also heads up a police team that probes Manchester’s most gruesome murders.

Yet another police procedural. This time the message is: “Never be a police detective if you have children.” After watching Janine Lewis juggle 24 hour on-call status and raising four children without a husband, you might just feel a bit weary. In the first episode while she is pregnant and has just been promoted to detective, she catches her husband in their bed with another woman: end of marriage.

Four seasons are streamable from Acorn TV. Season 1 has 6 episodes, season 2 has 4 episodes, season 3 has 3 episodes, and season 4 has 6 episodes. There was also an unavailable season 5.

Be aware that some of the crimes can be harrowing. Plots are well written and often involve an unforeseen twist. Some parts of the dialog offer a good laugh.

Will this poor woman detective ever get some time to herself?

2011, Acorn TV, Adultery, Ambiguous Conclusion, British Mystery Series, Clever Plot, Detective, Forensics, Lawyers, Made For TV, Mildly Violent, Murder Investigation, Murder Trial, Police Corruption, Prison, Spousal Abuse, Suicide, Wonderful acting

Injustice (2011)

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From Acorn TV:

James Purefoy (Rome) leads a distinguished cast featuring Dervla Kirwan (Ballykissangel), Charlie Creed-Miles (The Fifth Element), and Nathaniel Parker (The Inspector Lynley Mysteries) in a taut five-part thriller of murder, conspiracy, secrets, and guilt created and written by Anthony Horowitz (Foyle’s War). CC Available.

From IMDB:

A defense barrister is faced with the proposition: what can you do when you have defended the indefensible?

When you have the combination of James Purefoy and Nathaniel Parker, then you know you have a winner.

In this 5-episode mini-series that I streamed from Acorn TV, almost from the very beginning you know at least one of the killers. Probably the underlying question is: Will that killer get away with the crime?

Plot, writing, and acting are all wonderful. Expect some small amount of violence. Expect a clever surprise ending.

If you like British murder-trial entertainment, DO NOT MISS!

2015, Acorn TV, Adultery, British Mystery Series, Conspiracy, Corruption, Detective, Gangs, Mother-daughter relations, Mother-son relations, Murder Investigation, Police Corruption, Suspense

Black Work (2015)

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From Acorn:

Hailed as tight and intriguing (Guardian, UK) this powerful crime thriller created and written by Matt Charman (Bridge of Spies) dives into the murky depths of undercover police work and tells the story of a woman willing to risk everything to protect her family. Sheridan Smith (Jonathan Creek, Accused) delivers a powerhouse performance as Jo Gillespie, a police constable who embarks on a dangerous investigation of her husband’s death.

Recently my audiologist introduced me to Acorn TV. At the present time Acorn TV costs a mere $5.00 per month while offering a large selection of attractive programs. Most of the shows come from Britain, Australia, or New Zealand.

From Acorn I streamed the three episodes of “Black Work”. Every detective procedural involves the usual routine investigations, personal problems of detectives, possible corrupt policemen, plot twists, and occasional violence.

Some of these detective shows are worth watching, but sometimes explaining what is special about a particular show can amount to a “spoiler” in the review. In this case let us just say that in investigating her husband’s death, Joe Gillespie runs up against some very surprising twists and turns.

Because we watch so much British TV we were pleased to recognize old faces such as Geraldine James as CC Carolyn Jarecki, the Scotsman Douglas Henshall as DCS Hepburn (don’t miss him in the wonderful series “Shetland”), and the ever-present Philip Davis as Tom Piper (don’t miss him in “Poldark” and “Silk”).

Enjoy “Black Work” and stay tuned for more reviews for Acorn TV offerings.

2015, Adultery, Alcoholism, Depression, Drama, Flirting, Love Story, Marital Infidelity, Murder, Nothing special, Philosophic Discussions, Self-Deception, Sex Scenes, Suspense, Thought provoking, Unusual

Irrational Man (2015)

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From NetFlix:

A middle-aged professor at a small Rhode Island college edges close to his breaking point, until he finds renewed purpose in his life after embarking on an unusual relationship with one of his students.

When Joaquin Phoenix is in a film, I will at least start to watch the film. For awhile his character Abe spends a fair amount of time whining about his despairing life even after meeting his student Jill, played by Emma Stone. Indeed the “talking heads” do ramble on about philosophic theories until one day in a restaurant — oops!, no spoilers allowed. “Irrational Man” is somewhat ordinary but good enough that I had to see what happens next, especially after that day in the restaurant — oops!

Eventually you will see that the film is well named. Meantime keep the faith.

2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, Adultery, Amusing banter, Art History, Bicycles, British Mystery Series, Clever Plot, Complicated, Crime, Detective, Dysfunctional Lives, Ethical struggles, Family Conflict, Forensics, Love Story, Marital Infidelity, Murder Investigation, Oxford University, Religious Theme, Revenge, Suspense

Inspector Lewis (2008)

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As a follow-up to the many seasons of “Inspector Morse” (the Morse actor died), you can stream 7 seasons of “Inspector Lewis” from Amazon Prime. All the episodes are worthwhile, and usually complicated. Each episode lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Although the Robert Lewis actor (Kevin Whately) is adequate, the real joy is the James Hathaway character (Laurence Fox). James Hathaway is a former Anglican seminarian, Oxford graduate, literary savant, moody and conflicted character, and somewhat of a delightful know-it-all. As an essential third actor we have the charming Dr. Laura Hobson (played by Clare Holman), the forensic pathologist who eventually is a love interest for Inspector Lewis.

All episodes take place in Oxford whose academic and idiosyncratic atmosphere permeates the entire series.

Indeed the plots can be intricate, but sometimes by searching the Internet you can find plot explanations.

Not a miss in the bunch!

2014, Adultery, Bloody scenes, Complicated, Conspiracy, Crude Talk, Detective, Divorce, Drama, Drugs, Erotic Thriller, Explicit sex, Grisly, Marital Infidelity, Mostly About Sex, Murder, Murder Investigation, Nudity, Prostitutes, Psychological Thriller, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Suicide, Suspense, Violent

The Loft (2014)

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From NetFlix:

Five married co-owners of an upscale loft enjoy their investment as a discreet hideaway for their adulterous pursuits. But when a murdered woman is discovered in the apartment, each suspects the others of committing the grisly killing.

At least titillating, with the addition of a clever plot, a set of new actors present an involving who-done-it with at least one good plot twist.

As far as actors are concerned, I personally recognized only Rhona Mitra whom I first saw in the TV series “Boston Legal” in 2004 playing Tara Wilson.

None of the five friends are especially honorable (they have, after all, pledged themselves to an adulterous pact in their lofty hideout). Nor, possibly, is there honor among thieves. But when the film ended, I found myself wondering how many of the five men got their just desserts.

But I had a lot of fun watching.