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Storyline
Rita Rizzoli is a narcotics cop with a plethora of disguises. When a drug shipment is hijacked, the thieves don't know that the drug is unusually pure and packs of 'Fatal Beauty' begin turning up next to too many dead bodies. Mike works for the original owner of the drugs and tries to tell himself that since he does not handle the drugs, he is 'clean'. Mike becomes Rita's constant companion as the drug hijackers (who are nearly psychotic and very well armed) are hunted, while more and more bodies continue to turn up. Written by
John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>
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Taglines:
An earthquake is about to hit L.A. It's called Detective Rita Rizoli.
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Trivia
This movie stars
Whoopi Goldberg, who is very identifiably African-American but plays a character called Rita Rizzoli, which name is very identifiably Italian.
Roger Ebert has commented that "the Italian name is much remarked upon but never explained".
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Goofs
When Whoopi breaks into Kroll's home and catches him swimming nude with nothing but a gold swim cap, it is noticeable that the actor was wearing a gold-colored speedo-type swimsuit for the medium shot.
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Quotes
Deputy Getz:
Hey, stay bent over like that and I'll show you a good time.
Rita Rizzoli:
Oh yeah? one quick hump and you'd be in the hospital honey.
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Connections
References
A View to a Kill (1985)
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Soundtracks
"Criminal"
Written by
Sylvester Levay and
Tom Whitlock
Performed by
Shannon
Courtesy of Atlantic Records
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Whoopi Goldberg succeeds in adding spunk, wit, and a little heart in what could have been a boring pro forma shoot-em-up. Tired cop movie clichés suddenly seem fresh with a woman, especially one as charismatic as Whoopi in the lead role.
She and Sam Elliot have an undeniable chemistry that's evident from the moment they appear on screen together for the first time. Go figure!
The film is pretty climatic; shoot outs where the bad guys miss and the good guys don't, and some moments where the hero's in a jam but their partner appears out of nowhere to save the day, etc.
But the film is full of solid, engrossing performances, particularly Goldberg, Elliot, and Dourif, and an engaging, albeit derivative plot.
Overall not a bad way to kill an hour and some change.
6.5 stars.