Eddie Pensier writes:

Guy Pearce, Roy Billing, and Aaron Pedersen in “Jack Irish: Bad Debts”

This series of telemovies is based on the novels by Peter Temple. Jack is a widowed criminal attorney who has drifted into a second life as a private investigator, debt collector, gambler, and quippy layabout. He hangs out in a decrepit old pub inhabited by old men, occasionally works as a carpenter’s apprentice, and finds himself in life-and-limb-threatening situations arising from the cases he takes on, which inevitably put him in the path of Melbourne’s criminal element.

If it sounds like a string of noir clichés, you’d be right. But the first two films, “Bad Debts” and “Black Tide” were still enjoyable thanks to the charisma of Guy Pearce. I’ve enjoyed Pearce in most of his performances, ranging from “Memento” to “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” to his underrated turn as Edward VIII in “The King’s Speech”. He plays Jack with a low-key charm interspersed with shots of wiry intensity. Even in a straightforward genre effort like “Jack Irish”, with a character determined to be as loaded with character-defining quirks as possible, he brings an appealing scruffy blokeyness that is friendly and ingratiating.

Aaron Pedersen plays his mate and fixer Cam with witty flamboyance, and Marta Dusseldorp is excellent if not always likeable as Linda, a driven journalist and Jack’s sometime lover. Other notable cameos come from Colin Friels and Steve Bisley (“Mad Max”). Technically the films are competently made, with wonderful camera work and great shots of Melbourne and its surroundings.

The “Jack Irish” films are on DVD and can be found via various Ebay sellers.  (If you live outside Region 4, you might have to region-hack your DVD player.) A third movie is in production, with essential Australian supporting actors Vince Colosimo and Barry Humphries, which promises to be great fun.

I enjoyed the “Jack Irish” films on their own terms, as well-made but not earth-shattering mystery dramas. If you come across them, you might well be entertained.

Related:

• The official ABC site of the show, with pics ‘n clips.
• I reviewed an altogether sadder movie set in Victoria here.
• Somehow, the uglier parts of Melbourne didn’t make it into the films.