This 1988 filmmaking effort for legendary screenwriter Robert Towne (of "Chinatown" fame) is slick, extremely well shot (by the equally legendary Conrad L. Hall), and generally absorbing. It does indeed go far on the charismatic performances by the star trio (that's not to mention the solid work by an exemplary supporting cast). It does boast a compelling theme of friendship, and the things that can put a severe strain on it. The characters are torn between what they have to do and what they would prefer to do.
Towne goes with a traditional idea of having two boyhood buddies ending up on opposite sides of the law. McKussic (Mel Gibson) is a drug smuggler who's trying his best to get out of the business; Frescia (Kurt Russell) is a fast rising narcotics detective. Frescia, despite bearing no real ill will towards his pal, is not above manipulating others in order to get to McKussic - and, ultimately, Carlos, a big time drug kingpin who can only be identified by McKussic.
All of the major parts are very well cast. Certainly they're all at their sexiest; Michelle Pfeiffer co-stars as Jo Ann, the savvy restaurant owner who comes between the two men. Raul Julia is a delight as the sinister Carlos, alternating between charm and menace. J.T. Walsh is superb as the unlikable, clueless federal agent whose methodology differs from Frescias'. (It's a truly sad thing that both Julia and Walsh are no longer with us.) Arliss Howard is Macs' cousin and partner in his shady dealings. Ann Magnuson has a cameo as Macs' ex-wife and Arye Gross has a small part as a lawyer. (Be sure to watch for a cameo by veteran director Budd Boetticher as a judge.)
Admittedly the film is more interesting in its early parts. Towne begins it well but it isn't carried to a really satisfying conclusion. (Apparently the ending had to be changed in order to please the test audience. What a shame.) But thanks to Gibson, Pfeiffer, Russell, Julia, and Walsh, it's never less than watchable.
Seven out of 10.
Towne goes with a traditional idea of having two boyhood buddies ending up on opposite sides of the law. McKussic (Mel Gibson) is a drug smuggler who's trying his best to get out of the business; Frescia (Kurt Russell) is a fast rising narcotics detective. Frescia, despite bearing no real ill will towards his pal, is not above manipulating others in order to get to McKussic - and, ultimately, Carlos, a big time drug kingpin who can only be identified by McKussic.
All of the major parts are very well cast. Certainly they're all at their sexiest; Michelle Pfeiffer co-stars as Jo Ann, the savvy restaurant owner who comes between the two men. Raul Julia is a delight as the sinister Carlos, alternating between charm and menace. J.T. Walsh is superb as the unlikable, clueless federal agent whose methodology differs from Frescias'. (It's a truly sad thing that both Julia and Walsh are no longer with us.) Arliss Howard is Macs' cousin and partner in his shady dealings. Ann Magnuson has a cameo as Macs' ex-wife and Arye Gross has a small part as a lawyer. (Be sure to watch for a cameo by veteran director Budd Boetticher as a judge.)
Admittedly the film is more interesting in its early parts. Towne begins it well but it isn't carried to a really satisfying conclusion. (Apparently the ending had to be changed in order to please the test audience. What a shame.) But thanks to Gibson, Pfeiffer, Russell, Julia, and Walsh, it's never less than watchable.
Seven out of 10.