Product: Prime Suspect [VHS] (1992)
Rating: 5.0
She may not be the Queen but...
Helen Mirren's character does not like to be called 'Mum' --"I'm not the bloody Queen." This tongue in cheek irony with her oscar winning role does not bely the fact that she is the queen of the police station, as well as perhaps of acting.She's beautiful and glowing, so we believe the serial romances. She's tough and unrelenting, and we see her go toe to toe with any man, armed or not. When she goes home to an empty apartment with lean cuisine and a bottle of wine, the audience can palpably feel the loneliness of this character. She's vulnerable and she's professional. This great portrayal is enough reason to watch the show.However, great writing, incredible ensemble cast and characterizations, and an unswerving commitment to realism have simply ruined nearly all other television and movies for me.Instead of manipulating the audience, this show truly lets us in to Jane's life, good, bad, lonely, or triumphant. It is some of the best 22 hours I have ever spent.