Night Passage (2006)
We may have met Jesse Stone in Stone Cold, but in the prequel, Night Passage, we learn how and why he found his way to Paradise, a small coastal town north of Boston, from the gritty streets of Los Angeles, where he was a homicide detective. Turns out, L.A. has nothing on Paradise when it comes to murder and corruption. Even Stone wonders why he got the job of police chief (a last-ditch effort to salvage his tarnished career) even though he showed up to the interview soused! Why did the previous chief suddenly retire, then turn up murdered? And could it be that a high-profile town council member is involved with the mob? And now, because Stone knows something’s rotten in Paradise, and he won’t drop his investigation, he has a target on his back. Welcome to Paradise Chief Stone, you got your work cut out for you. Even if you watched Stone Cold first, or you’re just getting into the Jesse Stone movie franchise and you start with Night Passage, the movie is a terrific introduction (or reintroduction!) to the characters, including Molly Crane (Viola Davis), Luther “Suitcase” Simpson (Kohl Sudduth), Anthony D’Angelo (Vito Rezza), and State Homicide Inspector Captain Healey (Stephen McHattie). But most interesting, the movie offers insight into Stone’s personality and motivation, his strengths and his flaws.
Quote:
“Most people don’t have trouble seeing what’s right and wrong. Doing it is sometimes complicated. But knowing what’s right usually isn’t so hard.” – Jesse Stone