Running Scared (1986)

Director:

Peter Hyams

Writers:

Gary DeVore (story)
Gary DeVore (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

27 June 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

Two of Chicago's Finest?

Plot:

Danny and Ray are two street wise cops in Chicago. When they are almost killed on a case, they are forced to take a vacation by their captain...

Plot Keywords:

Vacation | Undercover | Florida | Key West Florida | Drug Dealer

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins

Cast

Gregory Hines	...	Ray Hughes
Billy Crystal	...	Danny Costanzo
Steven Bauer	...	Det. Frank Sigliano
Darlanne Fluegel	...	Anna Costanzo
Joe Pantoliano	...	Snake
Dan Hedaya	...	Captain Logan
Jon Gries	...	Det. Tony Montoya (as Jonathan Gries)
Tracy Reed	...	Maryann
Jimmy Smits	...	Julio Gonzales
John DiSanti	...	Vinnie
Larry Hankin	...	Ace
Don Calfa	...	Women's Room Lawyer
Robert Lesser	...	Supoena Lawyer
Betty Carvalho	...	Apartment Manager
Louis Perez	...	Thug

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Singapore:NC-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16 | Canada:PG | Canada:G (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

A plot device is borrowed from The Black Windmill (1974). In one film Michael Caine's son is kidnapped and to get the ransom (uncut diamonds) he impersonates his boss (Donald Pleasence) on the phone and gives himself permission to take the diamonds from work (MI5). In the other Billy Crystal's ex-wife is kidnapped and he impersonates his boss ('Dan Hedeya') on the telephone to give himself permission to take the ransom (cocaine held as evidence) from work (Chicago police department).

Goofs:

Factual errors: During the chase through Chicago, Ray Hughes radios that the vehicle is traveling south on I-190. That stretch of tollway runs East/West not North/South.

Quotes:

Snake: [having taken over the police radio] Calling all cars! Calling all cars! UFO landing on Michigan Avenue!
[gets punched by Danny]

Movie Connections:

References Goldfinger (1964)

Soundtrack:

I Just Wanna Be Loved

Unoriginal but great fun

Wisecracking Chicago cops Ray and Danny tackle drug lord Julio Gonzales in a battle of wits across the city. Essentially the plot doesn't matter, this is just another buddy cop movie from the eighties. However it rises above others by being good fun throughout. It even takes a break from the action midway for the two to go and live on the beach and lay low for a while.

The main reason it is so much fun is the chemistry between Hines and Crystal. It's very easy to believe that they are partners of many years. Crystal is especially funny but really they both make it good. Even chase scenes and action scenes contain witty dialogue throughout. Smits is not a great villain but he carries the role well and the supporting cast are impressive with other future big names Dan Hedaya and Joe Pantoliano.

Overall it's not a classic - it's a buddy cop movie. But even now it still feels fresh and fun due to the partnership of Hines and Crystal. Watch it, like the characters, enjoy the action and laugh at the comedy - a wonderful example of how the buddy cop genre can be good when everything is just right.