Shakedown (1988)

A legal attorney and renegade cop team up to stop a corrupt cop.

Director:

James Glickenhaus

Writer:

James Glickenhaus

Stars:

Peter Weller, Sam Elliott, George Loros

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Weller	...	Roland Dalton
Sam Elliott	...	Richie Marks
George Loros	...	Officer Varelli
Thomas G. Waites	...	Officer Kelly
Daryl Edwards	...	Dr. Watson
Jos Laniado	...	Ruben
Richard Brooks	...	Michael Jones
Blanche Baker	...	Gail Feinberger
Shirley Stoler	...	Irma
John C. McGinley	...	Sean Phillips (as John McGinley)
Patricia Charbonneau	...	Susan Cantrell
Walter Flanagan	...	Prison Guard
Walter Bobbie	...	Dean Howland
Henry Judd Baker	...	Big Leroy
Andrew Johns	...	Billy

Storyline

A drug dealer shoots a corrupt police officer. Though the drug dealer admits his guilt, he pleads self-defense. His lawyer, Roland Dalton, and a "blue jean cop", Richie Marks, pursue evidence in his favor. They encounter difficulties from other corrupt police officers, drug dealers, and various street scum. Dalton's life is further complicated by the fact that the prosecuting attorney is a former lover.

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Plot Keywords:

drug dealer | attorney | renegade | corrupt cop | lawyer | 

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Taglines:

When the bad guys have taken over... and the good guys are the worst of all... whatever you do, don't call the cops...

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 May 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blue Jean Cop

Filming Locations:

Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$10,068,039 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Shapiro-Glickenhaus Entertainment, Blue Jean Cop, De Laurentiis Entertainment Group (DEG)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Was originally set to be distributed by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group before Universal acquired the film after DEG fell under bankruptcy.

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Quotes

Richie Marks: You know what this is?
Tommie: It's a gun! It's a gun!
Richie Marks: Yeah, and you're a fuckin' genius! Now listen up. This gun is clean, no serial number. So if I blow out what's left of your brain and chuck it in the East River, your case is closed. The people downtown are gonna file you under DSAF. "Did Society A Favor." Got it?

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Connections

References Prom Night II (1987)

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Soundtracks

"Purple Haze"
Performed by Jimi Hendrix
Courtesy of A.R.M.B.Y.

User Reviews

Action packed tale benefits from the three dimensional characters.

Director James Glickenhaus (The Soldiers, The Exterminator, McBain) has composed a reasonably well constructed thriller with the usual spectacular action sequences and an interesting plot. This time though, the strong performances from the lead stars help propel Shakedown above the usual mundane low budget films. Peter Weller (Robocop, Screamers) is excellent as Roland Dalton, a frustrated attorney who must help defend a troubled youth who has been accused of murdering a police officer. However, there is more to the scene of the crime than meets the eye...

Sam Elliot (Road House) is grand as Richie Marks, a rogue police officer who is always at the wrong place at the right time. Marks and Dalton happen to form a "buddy-buddy" type bonding, and their investigation eventually leads knee deep into a conspiracy of corruption, deceit, and murder...

Shakedown is a decent action flick with an intriguing plot with enthralling plot twists and top notch action sequences. The fist fight aboard a moving roller coaster is a highlight and the extended vehicle chase through the streets of Manhattan is another highlight.

What makes Shakedown an exceptional thriller though, is the three dimensional performances. Peter Weller is definitely the performer worth watching in Shakedown. His convincing portrayal as a tough lawyer adds an extra depth of integrity to an otherwise standard "kill or be killed" actioner. Sam Elliot has his moments too as a cynical renegade cop who helps Weller expose corruption in the police department.

Shakedown is worth watching just for the high caliber performances from both Weller and Elliot. The action scenes are worthwhile as well. The only setback though is these action sequences are used a little too sparesly. The lack of a breathtaking pace destroys an almost superior thriller. Otherwise, Shakedown is an adequate film. This movie would benefit greatly with a faster pace, but the acting from stars Weller and Elliot make Shakedown a film worth a look.

RATING: **1/2 out of ****.