"Cracker" (1997) TV series 1997-1998

User Rating:

5.0/10   

Directors:

Michael Fields
Whitney Ransick

Writer:

Jim Leonard (writer)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

18 September 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Gerry "Fitz" Fitzgerald is a doctor of psychology. To be able to pay the bills, he gives lectures at colleges...

Plot Keywords:

Remake | Based On British TV Series

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Robert Pastorelli	...	Gerry 'Fitz' Fitzgerald (16 episodes, 1997-1999)
Carolyn McCormick	...	Judith Fitzgerald (16 episodes, 1997-1999)
Robert Wisdom	...	Detective Danny Watlington (15 episodes, 1997-1999)
Scott Sowers	...	Detective Parker / ... (15 episodes, 1997-1999)
Angela Featherstone	...	Det. Hannah Tyler (14 episodes, 1997-1999)
Josh Hartnett	...	Michael Fitzgerald (14 episodes, 1997-1999)
R. Lee Ermey	...	Lieutenant Fry (13 episodes, 1997-1999)
Paul Perri	...	Waldron (10 episodes, 1997-1999)
Sally Livingstone	...	Hope Fitzgerald (8 episodes, 1997-1999)
Zachary Seymour Fischman	...	Gerry & Judith's son / ... (8 episodes, 1997-1999)

Also Known As:

"Cracker: Mind Over Murder" (USA) (new title)

Runtime:

60 min (16 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Granada Entertainment

Movie Connections:

Remake of "Cracker" (1993)

Boring

This excruciating remake of the excellent British series is not worth wasting your time on.

The police in the original had skepticism coming out of their ears when it came to having a psychologist on the team, exactly as many real police officers would. The American version has them fawning after Fitz at every opportunity, which is not only unrealistic, it also set up little dramatic tension.

While the English version has quirky, interesting, believable characters, the American one has typical American pretty people. Particularly disappointing is the lack of characterisation of the police. The original has a range of people we came to know well: Penhaligon, the young officer trying to cope with an inept boss and pathetic "lad" culture. Beck, the old-fashioned copper whose unpleasant exterior barely covers his mental instability. Bilborough, a nice guy, but so soft he has to get Penhaligon to do the talking when visiting people with bad news. What do we get from the American version? A token black character whose name escapes me and a chicky-babe who looks like Pamela Anderson's cousin.

The actors who play Fitz and Penhaligon (renamed to something unmemorable) could easily be replaced by wooden blocks and no-one would have noticed the difference. There's no spark between them. You don't care about them and you aren't convinced by them. Same with the Fitz/Judith pairing - he says something soppy and she simpers "sentimentality becomes you, Fitz". The "real" Judith would have laughed or sneered.

I could go on, but it just isn't worth the bother. Take from me: if you don't want to see a great show trashed, avoid this load of drivel.