Next of Kin (1989)

User Rating:

5.1/10   

Director:

John Irvin

Writer (WGA):

Michael Jenning (written by)

Release Date:

20 October 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

A man murdered in cold blood. But they didn't count on his brother's revenge!

Plot:

Truman, a Chicago cop, sets out to find the killer of his brother. Meanwhile, another of his brothers, Briar (a hillbilly) decides to find the killer himself.

Plot Keywords:

Kentucky | Hillbilly | Drugs | Racial Slur | Desert Eagle

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Patrick Swayze	...	Truman Gates
Liam Neeson	...	Briar Gates
Adam Baldwin	...	Joey Rosselini
Helen Hunt	...	Jessie Gates
Andreas Katsulas	...	John Isabella
Bill Paxton	...	Gerald Gates
Ben Stiller	...	Lawrence Isabella
Michael J. Pollard	...	Harold
Ted Levine	...	Willy Simpson
Del Close	...	Frank
Valentino Cimo	...	Rhino
Paul Greco	...	Leo
Vincent Guastaferro	...	Paulie
Paul Herman	...	Tony Antonelli
Don Herion	...	Zimmer

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Finland:K-18 | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Lorimar Film Entertainment

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: In the scene in the car where Truman informs Briar he is about to be a father, the Camaro's rear view mirror disappears.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (#4.21)" (1991)

Crazy Swayze's second action film from 89 is just as good

When his brother is murdered, a policeman is caught between his devotion to the law and his family's desire for revenge in this action drama. Patrick Swayze plays Truman Gates, who left his backwoods Appalachian home for life as a Chicago police officer. When his brother is killed by a gangster, Truman is determined to seek legal retribution. His older brother Briar (Liam Neeson) has different ideas, however, and travels to the city to seek old-fashioned vigilante justice. Truman must now choose between his family's belief in mountain justice and the duties of his job. Though the film is not particularly action-packed, director John Irvin does provide the expected gunplay and macho confrontations. However, despite a surprisingly distinguished cast (also including Helen Hunt and Michael J. Pollard), little distinguishes the film from numerous other revenge stories with a similar outline. Next of Kin is the second action film that Patrick Swayze starred in from 1989. The film is full of action and has some great fight scenes. Daniel Baldwin is great as the bad guy and look for a young Ben Stiller before he hit his prime.