Cracker (2006) (TV)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Antonia Bird

Writer:

Jimmy McGovern (writer)

Release Date:

30 October 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Plot:

Fitz returns to Manchester after living 10 years in Australia with his wife and youngest son. He is soon drawn into the investigation of a British soldier who may have been traumatized by his years serving in Northern Ireland.

Plot Keywords:

Forensic Psychologist | Wedding Toast | Wedding Reception | Stand Up Comedian | Wedding

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Robbie Coltrane	...	Dr. Eddie 'Fitz' Fitzgerald
Anthony Flanagan	...	Kenny Archer
Stefanie Wilmore	...	Katy Fitzgerald
Andrea Lowe	...	Elaine Archer
Lilli Ella Kelleher	...	Lilly Fitzgerald
Barbara Flynn	...	Judith Fitzgerald
Kieran O'Brien	...	Mark Fitzgerald
Rosina Carbone	...	Maria Fitzgerald
John Evans	...	James Fitzgerald
Angelo Bommino	...	Gregory - The Groom
Ralph Casson	...	Taxi Driver 1
Stephen MacKenna	...	Robert - Groom's Father
Moey Hassan	...	Taxi Driver 2
Nisha Nayar	...	DS Saffron Saleh
Christine Barton	...	Elaine's Mother

Also Known As:

Cracker: A New Terror (USA) (promotional title)
Cracker: Nine Eleven (UK) (promotional title)

Runtime:

Germany:109 min | 120 min (approx)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

UK:Approved | UK:15 (DVD)

Filming Locations:

Manchester Cathedral, Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, UK

Company:

Granada Television

Quotes:

[last lines]
Dr. Eddie 'Fitz' Fitzgerald: [reading Judith's note] "Dinner in Fridge. Wife in Australia."

Movie Connections:

Follows "Cracker" (1993)

A waste of Coltrane

The social commentary was way overblown and the mystery itself is built and solved through a series of implausible coincidences that were entirely unbelievable. Nothing has changed in Fitz's personal life in the past decade that makes it remotely interesting.

I even had trouble understanding why he was complaining about his stay in Australia as compared to the opportunities to solve mysteries that he has in England. Can he not insinuate himself on the Australian police? It seems like a very artificial plot point to get him involved in a crime investigation.

The latter episodes of the original series were pretty melodramatic and implausible, sometimes bordering on silliness, and this one picks up that mantle rather than returning to the focus of series one. Sad.