The Mentalist Season 1 [DVD] [2008] (film on DVD)
from Warner Home Video
Starring: Simon Baker, Robin Tunney, Amanda Righetti, Tim Kang
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Customer Rating: 
Audience Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Availability: dispatched within 24 hours
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DVD Box Price: £15.93
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The Mentalist is nominally a police procedural (and an excellent one), but its characters are especially richly written, and there's romance and torment hinted at in equal measure throughout the series. All of this--and the star turn by dreamy Australian actor Simon Baker, whose smoldering good looks take a back seat to his nuanced acting--make The Mentalist one of TV's top drama series. Season 1 sets the action in motion immediately, as the viewer quickly learns the backstory: Baker's character, Patrick Jane, was once a questionable TV psychic who professed to help people contact their deceased loved ones. But a crazed killer--"Red John"--was watching one day when Jane mentioned assisting California police on his case, and in retribution he committed a horrific crime with staggering personal repercussions on Jane. Jane leaves his sham life behind, but it turns out he's actually quite gifted as an observer of subtle human behavior--a "mentalist," who, he tells the California Bureau of Investigation, "is a master manipulator of thought and behaviour." So Jane joins the CBI in tracking tricky cases, including that of Red John. The rest of the cast is terrific, especially Robin Tunney, who may have found the role, and series, of a lifetime, as Teresa Lisbon, the head of the squad, who must keep Jane on track but give him enough lead to assist the often skeptical power structure. There's undeniable chemistry between Jane and Lisbon, yet any potential romance is superseded by a very real-feeling mutual respect and admiration, which shows its own kind of tenderness. Other stellar cast members include Tim Kang (the all-business Kimball Cho), Owain Yeoman (the ambitious rookie Wayne Rigsby), and Amanda Righetti (the doe-eyed newbie Grace Van Pelt, who may have a lot to learn in traditional police work, but who has a deep understanding of and respect for Jane's psychic abilities). Another star worth mentioning: The location shots all around California, which give the show a life and depth seldom seen on network series. The lush real settings--a mansion in San Francisco, a weedy rural road outside Bakersfield--add to the immediacy and intensity of the story lines. --A.T. Hurley
The Mentalist Season 1  Sent: 23 August 2010
Love this show. Started watching on TV after a couple of work colleagues suggested it. Was initially not convinced as it all seemed a bit "wishy-washy" and far-fetched for me. Think if I'd started watching on TV from the start of the series; I'd have been put off after the first couple of episodes. However, being able to watch several in one go meant that I could see the subtle humour behind it and how the characters are developed. Quickly became a main feature in my TV viewing and had to buy the box set. Now think it's very funny, clever and a good bit of generally quite light-going viewing. Would recommend it
all round entertainment Sent: 11 August 2010
funny, sad, frightening, thrilling, exciting, intriguing, romantic, horrific, loving, hateful. but most of all adictive.
Intriguing Sent: 09 August 2010
It took a wee while to get into this series but both my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it as we got to know the character that made this man tick. An interesting concept on the way a person can read body language and use it to determine how others are likely to react. We are intrigued by crime dramas and seeing crimes being solved through the accumulation of evidence - some of which is quite suttle and this is an interesting bend on that theme. Well worth a watch.
Marvelous Mentalist Sent: 06 August 2010
This was a Mentalist enthusiast's dream purchase. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to buy the next series!!
A fantastic show! Sent: 03 August 2010
I am avid lover of crime and drama shows and the Mentalist is an excellent piece of this genre, yet it also manages to weave in some laughter too which helps to alleviate what could otherwise be a brooding and depressing show considering the premise.
Patrick Jane was a "psychic", he was infact excellent at interpreting people's body languages and emotions to read what they want to hear (though through the series some of his guesses are uncannily correct and the team often wonder if he isnt actually a psychic!), anyway he is asked who he thinks a current serial killer might be who goes by the name Red John. He is somewhat derogatory and sadly this leads to Red John murdering his wife and daughter. The premise of the show then follows Jane wanting to catch Red John but along the way also helping the Police team he is with (sorry am blanking on proper title...California something!) who deal with high profile and difficult cases by using his advanced intuitive skills to see who is lying and ultimately helping to solve the case.
It is an excellent series and I really recommned it if you like either Lie To Me or Criminal Minds. Whilst it has elements of each of these shows it has it's own unique style, clever, dark and entertaining!
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Associated dvd film / movie categories: Television, Crime, Thrillers & Mystery, Drama |
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