Cracker Review – Is It Worth Watching? Is it good?

It was a triumphant moment for Granada entertainment, the production company behind the British drama Cracker, when they announced that the show was being reproduced for American audiences.

While the drama was a massive hit in the U.K. and got excellent ratings, Cracker bombed in America. The series, which was initially meant to have 22 episodes, managed to produce only 16 out of which only 11 aired.

Although the show is now available to stream on Amazon, we’re still looking for reasons to recommend this version instead of the brilliant British one.

1. Quick Review

There is no way that the U.S. version is equal to the U.K. one. The U.S. version had to cut down on the leading man’s vices as they couldn’t openly show a smoking, drinking, gambling antihero.

The plots which spanned several episodes in the U.K. were packed into hour-long episodes for American audiences, which also took away the script’s charm.

The most significant contrast was the acting, as fans of Cracker were sure that no one could fill the shoes of the beloved Robbie Coltrone. And they were right, as Robert Pastorelli tries and fails to capture the essence of the Fitz that audiences love.

2. Is It Worth Watching?

Cracker didn’t work in America because of the time slot it was allotted. Pitched opposite Seinfeld, the most-watched sitcom in American history at that time, the show never really had a chance.

CRACKER (1998) | Official Trailer #1

Now it is hard to recommend this version to someone when the better option would be to watch the British original.

I. Plot

The series revolved around criminal profiler Fitz, who used his knowledge of psychology to get inside the criminals’ minds. A man governed by his vices, Fitz is an alcoholic chain smoker with problems in his married life.

To make ends meet, he also has his radio show and gives guest lectures at colleges. His lifestyle tests his marriage and his relationship with his wife and 17-year old son.

Robert Pastorelli plays a New Jersey cop who is plucked and planted in L.A. He uses his sharp analysis and psychological knowledge to catch criminals. Even though half the episodes are adaptations of British versions, the show doesn’t pack a punch.

Robbie Coltrane shot to international fame and won several awards for his portrayal of Fitz in the British version. His famous line,

“I drink too much, I smoke too much, I gamble too much, I am too much,”

captures the essence of the character.

II. Cast & Performances

Any police procedural or crime-drama will be centered around its lead character. Robert Pastorelli tries his best to step out of the British Coltrane’s shadow. He manages to re-create only a fraction of his charisma, and the character and the show suffer because of it.

Regulations and censorship played a part in the Americans having to tone down their portrayal of the smoking, alcoholic genius. But the elements over which the director and writers had control are also a mess.

Reviews at the time of airing slaughtered Pastorelli for butchering an intriguing character with a charismatic vibe and reducing him to a bore, which gives long speeches. He would say the same lines, but it wouldn’t feel the same.

Carolyn McCormick plays Judith Fitzgerald, but even her character is made less fiery, less sharp, and less witty than the one portrayed by Barbara Flynn.

3. Final Thoughts

Granada Entertainment, which set up offices in Los Angeles, refuses to believe that Cracker was a complete failure. It proudly remains the first British company to make an American drama for American audiences.

The American adaptation has shades of its predecessor, but fans of the have been left disappointed. It pales in comparison to the original in every aspect, and if you have to watch Cracker, it would be wise to view the original British version and not the one on Amazon.

A show with unaired episodes gathering dust in an L.A. studio hardly paints itself in a good light.

4. Grade

5. Info