Review

by Natacha V

it's all about the haircuts...

It really must be hard to find an 80's movie more dated than this - the music, the casting, the haircuts, EVERYTHING. It's a pity it doesn't add up to much more than a damp squib of a movie. It's one of those 'thrillers' that give thrills a bad name. It's hard to tell if Mel Gibson and Kurt Russell are miscast in their respective roles of semi-retired drug dealer and dodgy cop, but they rarely seem believable as they half-heartedly fight over Michelle Pfeiffer's affections (maybe they should have swapped parts?). The late Raul Julia is at least watchable as always in the underused role he has, but it's hardly enough to keep you watching. What's most incredible about this film is that it was written and directed by Robert Towne - the writer behind the perfect film noir of Chinatown. Truly how the mighty fall...