Director: Rowdy Herrington
Starring: Bruce Willis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Dennis Farina, Tom Sizemore, Brion James, John Mahoney
Running Time: 101 minutes
Synopsis: In Pittsburgh, homicide detective Tom Hardy (Bruce Willis) is shunned for testifying against his partner in a police brutality trial. His father (John Mahoney), also a police officer, then dies in a botched high speed car chase. When Tom publicly disagrees with the arrest of a suspect in the Polish Hill serial killer case, he is demoted to river patrol duty. Two years later he is teamed with officer Jo Christman (Sarah Jessica Parker), just as a series of murdered women are dumped in the river. Tom is convinced the Polish Hill murderer is back, setting him in conflict with his uncle, Police Captain Nick Detillo (Dennis Farina).
Running Time: 101 minutes
Synopsis: In Pittsburgh, homicide detective Tom Hardy (Bruce Willis) is shunned for testifying against his partner in a police brutality trial. His father (John Mahoney), also a police officer, then dies in a botched high speed car chase. When Tom publicly disagrees with the arrest of a suspect in the Polish Hill serial killer case, he is demoted to river patrol duty. Two years later he is teamed with officer Jo Christman (Sarah Jessica Parker), just as a series of murdered women are dumped in the river. Tom is convinced the Polish Hill murderer is back, setting him in conflict with his uncle, Police Captain Nick Detillo (Dennis Farina).
What Works Well: The Pittsburgh locations are a refreshing change, and director Rowdy Herrington does not spare any carnage in a series of exhilarating stunt-filled car and boat chases. Bruce Willis never stretches but provides sturdy presence in the central role, supported by a deep cast. The plot contains enough criminal, familial, personal, and professional complications to maintain momentum.
What Does Not Work As Well: Apart from the generic and meaningless title, the logic holes are large, the red herrings obvious, and several scenes go on for longer than needed. The cliches include Tom resorting to heavy drinking, living on a boat, and being emotionally rescued by a good woman. The script is cluttered by an endless number of related police officers (brothers, fathers, cousins, uncles) always ready to sputter, swear, and square up to each other instead of just...talking.
Key Quote:
Nick: There's an old Italian saying: Never scald your tongue on another man's soup.
Tom: Yeah? There's an old Irish saying: Don't listen to old Italian sayings.
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