This average thriller stars Bruce Willis as a former cop turned drunk (pretty much the role he always played in these early '90s films) who is on the track of a serial killer. Of course, we've been here before a million times, but things are kept moving along swiftly along by some well-paced action sequences, as well as an intriguing plot involving a conspiracy within the police force (standard fare for '90s crime thrillers). Bruce Willis plays his typical, hard bitten yet endearing cop, who this time around gets framed for a series of brutal murders. He is given able support by Sarah Jessica Parker and a solid cast of movie veterans, including Dennis Farina as his strict uncle, Tom Sizemore as a spaced out nutter, and Brion James in a typically villainous role.
The action scenes may not be the most original of all time, but most of them are pretty good, one standout involving a flare gun being fired at a speeding car. There are also the requisite speedboat chases, although none of them reach the frenzy of FACE/OFF's exciting climax. However the best scenes involve Willis as he steady uncovers the crimes surrounding him, and gets framed bit by bit. Therefore the film really hinges on Willis' central performance, and as I'm a big fan of Willis, I liked this film more than I would have done without him. Not the most startling, original film in the world, but an okay brainless actioner nonetheless.
Striking Distance
1993
Action / Crime / Mystery / Thriller
Striking Distance
1993
Action / Crime / Mystery / Thriller
Plot summary
Tom Hardy (Bruce Willis) is a maverick cop in pursuit of a sadistic serial killer. Demoted to river patrol after suggesting to the press the killer may be a police officer, he initiates an unauthorized investigation with his new partner (Sarah Jessica Parker).
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
Brainless action vehicle for a tired Willis
overwrought police thriller
Pittsburgh police homicide detective Tom Hardy (Bruce Willis) is an outcast after testifying that his partner and cousin Jimmy Detillo (Robert Pastorelli) used excessive force. His uncle Capt. Nick Detillo (Dennis Farina) and cousin Danny Detillo (Tom Sizemore) are both fellow officers. Tom and his father chase after the serial killer Polish Hill strangler. His father is killed. He suspects the strangler is a police officer. The police make an arrest based on a questionable witness. Jimmy jumps off a bridge to escape prison time and presumed dead. Two years later, Tom has become a drunk and transferred to River Rescue. Jo Christman (Sarah Jessica Parker) is his new diver. The killings start up again and this time, the killer is directly taunting him.
This is an overwrought unreal police thriller. The opening car chase is crazy. It's borderline joyous fun and I'm willing to go with it. However that's not where this movie is going. When Jimmy jumps off the bridge, all of a sudden the heaven opens up and rain pours down. The movie keeps pushing everything over the top. Dennis Farina and Tom Sizemore never stop yelling or talking intensely. Sarah Jessica Parker is playing a hottie in this one. There are some unbelievable things going on that feel unrealistic. This movie could use a little simplification and a lot more believability.
Probably Sarah Jessica Parker's Only Watchable Role
Let me qualify this by saying I've never liked Sarah Jessica Parker in any of her roles. She looks like a bag of antlers or an emaciated gazelle. The scene in "Mars Attacks!" where she becomes a dog is very appropriate. But as much as I have found her annoying and hideously deformed, in this film I make an exception: she was a decent actress and not as difficult to watch. At least she wasn't Susan Sarandon.
In the city of Pittburgh (Jeff Goldblum's hometown) a cop (Bruce Willis) comes too close to finding out that a serial killer is another cop and he is transferred to river patrol with Sarah Jessica Parker. But then the bodies start showing up in the river.
Bruce Willis has gone on record as saying this movie "sucks", but he's really being too harsh on himself. While it is true this movie does not really stand out as a great action flick (like his "Die Hard" films or "Hostage") and you have a fairly good chance of guessing the killer in the first five minutes, the film is entertaining and has enough action and suspense to keep you in your seat.
It has Dennis Farina! It has Tom Sizemore, who never disappoints (haven't you seen "Lock Up" or "Strange Days"?). And it has one of the most unique car chases in movie history, the only one I have ever seen where car are leap-frogging over hills in synchronous maneuvers. If you don't want to watch this movie, at least watch this scene... you will be impressed, I guarantee. My proper credit goes to the stunt drivers and director Rowdy Herrington (whoever the hell that is).
Check this one out for a night of action and just a little bit of love (but don't think it's a romance because it's not). Sure beats a marathon of "Moonlighting"...