Review: Running Scared (1986)

People in the Movie:  Billy Crystal, Gregory Hines, Jimmy Smits

Director:  Peter Hyams

Pigeonhole:  Comedy / Buddy Cop / Action

The Basics: Two wise-cracking Chicago detectives, Danny Costanzo (Crystal) and Ray Hughes (Hines) take on local drug boss Julio Gonzales (Smits) in this mid- 80’s buddy cop film.  After almost being killed while arresting Gonzales the two head to Key West for a vacation, where they decide to retire and open a bar.  Upon their return to Chicago they find out Gonzales is out on bail, and has now made it a personal fight.    

Recommendation:  A fun, predictable ride that highlights some of Billy Crystal’s comic abilities on the big screen.  ‘R’ rating is for language, violence, and brief nudity.

My Take:  The formula is typical, and there are no big surprises waiting, but this movie works well because of Crystal and Hines’ on screen chemistry, truly embodying the phrase “buddy cop”.  Their comic dialogue throughout the film does not get tired.  The soundtrack is 80’s awesome featuring New Edition, Patti LaBelle, Michael McDonald and Kim Wilde. 

Making even more 80’s references here – it’s easy to see with the success of Beverly Hills Cop and Miami Vice, why the simple cop versus drug dealer plot was so popular.  For Running Scared, it was nice to see Chicago used as a backdrop, as opposed to New York, Los Angeles, or Miami.  It has a more urban feel to it, and is a lot less glamorous – contrasted perfectly when Danny and Ray vacation in Key West.

**spoiler alert** Ray and Danny arrest a street dealer named Snake (Joe Pantoliano) who is carrying a briefcase full of cash.  Snake reveals that is working for Gonzales, so Ray and Danny try to set up a sting to take Gonzales down.  The meeting goes wrong, and as Danny and Ray are about to be shot, two other undercover detectives “rescue” them.  Gonzales is arrested, but Danny and Ray’s captain is furious at them for being so unprofessional and almost getting killed so he insists the two take a hiatus.

Appreciating the relaxed, not-so-dangerous lifestyle of south Florida, Danny and Ray decide it is time to call it quits in Chicago.  They inform their captain of their retirement, but then learn Gonzales is no longer in custody.  To get him out of hiding, Ray and Danny seize a shipment of his cocaine, and impound his Mercedes, in two very funny scenes.  Gonzales, of course, retaliates setting up the ending.

The one plot item of Running Scared that I felt was just a little too cliché, is the final standoff.  Gonzales kidnaps Danny’s ex-wife to use her as trade bait to recover his confiscated cocaine.  I did not feel that her character was developed in such a way that lended itself for the conclusion to unfold in the manner it did.  But that point aside, the two have their shoot-out with Gonzales, Danny and Ray are the heroes, and big surprise – decide not to retire.

With some entertaining action scenes, a pretty good car chase, and numerous comedic moments this is one worth seeing.  I wonder how many people remember that Billy Crystal was one of the funniest people in Hollywood during this period.    

Final Thought/Extras/For Fun:  Several scripts were written to be sequels to this film, but Hines and Crystal didn’t think any of them were good enough and subsequently turned them all down… The leads were originally written for Gene Hackman and Paul Newman, but the decision was made to go “younger”… I was not aware how many films there were titled 'Running Scared' until I did the search to write this...