When released this film didn’t garner much attention. It did
decent business at the box office but nothing to brag about. With the passing
of Tupac Shakur interest increased and fans clamored for any and all things
Tupac. Now the film makes its way to blu-ray courtesy of Olive Video.
Det. Frank Divinci and Det. Rodriguez (James Belushi and
Tupac) are two corrupt cops more interested in making money than in doing their
jobs. This isn’t to say they can’t get the job done that they’re paid to do,
they are good at finding bad guys. But becoming bad guys they find themselves
in more trouble than expected.
The two have stolen drugs, sold them, took the money from
their mark and then killed him. Who would notice a dead drug dealer, especially
if the detectives investigating the killing were these two cops? Problems arise
when their latest mark turns out to be an undercover DEA agent.
Given the job of finding the killer the pair come upon a
homeless man (Dennis Quaid) and pin the rap on him. They even get Frank’s
girlfriend (Lela Rochon) to testify that she saw him do it. But their plan
starts to unravel on several levels. Rochon begins to have second doubts about
what she is doing. Worse yet it turns out that Quaid is actually a wealthy
businessman who went missing some years ago. His lawyers turn up to rescue him
and with that everything begins to fall apart. As the duo tries to figure out
what to do clues to the real killer begin to mount.
What makes the movie interesting is that it is told from
their perspective, two corrupt cops as opposed to a mainstream hero trying to
solve the mystery. Instead we have the reverse with two killers who have the
means to cover their trail easily but who create so many mistakes that their
tension over what to do next becomes ours as well.
It’s difficult to sympathize with these two main characters
but before the movie ends you find yourself wondering if perhaps they will do
the right thing. Therein lies much of the tension found in the film. That
desire to make atonement for past indiscretions while at the same time knowing
it will results in the loss of your freedom and perhaps the loss of your life
makes you wonder if either is willing to go through with it. At the same time
you wonder if they will indeed get away with it all.
Tupac showed that he had a career ahead of him as an actor
with a meaty role like this. He does a fantastic job and is quite believable in
the part. It’s a shame he never had the opportunity. I’ve said for years that
Belushi was a better actor than people have given him credit for. He started
off in the shadow of his older brother John and then was pushed into comedic
roles only for a time. His handling of dramatic roles showed he could do both.
While it’s nice that Olive has released the film on blu-ray
for fans of the film and of Tupac they once again show no effort to present
anything but the movie itself. Extras are non-existent. As they move forward
let’s hope more of their releases see some effort on their part for things that
some would enjoy. In the meantime at least the film is offered in a well done
format with a nice print to work from. If you enjoy gritty cop dramas then
you’re bound to enjoy this one.
Click here to order.
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