Short Time (1990)

Director:

Gregg Champion

Writers (WGA):

John Blumenthal (written by) &
Michael Berry (written by)

Release Date:

4 May 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Getting killed ain't as easy as it looks.

Plot:

Nearing retirement, Dabney Coleman finds that he has a disease that will kill him within days. He then...

Plot Keywords:

Violence | Bravery | Father Son Relationship | Chase | Seattle Washington

Cast

Dabney Coleman	...	Burt Simpson
Matt Frewer	...	Ernie Dills
Teri Garr	...	Carolyn Simpson
Barry Corbin	...	Captain
Joe Pantoliano	...	Scalese
Xander Berkeley	...	Carl Stark
Rob Roy	...	Dan Miller
Kaj-Erik Eriksen	...	Dougie Simpson
Tony Pantages	...	Vito
Sam Malkin	...	Hostage Man
Wes Tritter	...	Coffin Salesman
Kim Kondrashoff	...	Michael Lutz
Paul Jarrett	...	Jonas Lutz
Dee Jay Jackson	...	Spivak (as Deejay Jackson)
Paul Batten	...	Dr. Goldman

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:L | UK:15 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Gladden Entertainment

Trivia:

The building at the climax of the movie is the same one used in the climax of True Lies (1994) and many of the shots are similar to this later film.

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: During the first locker room scene.

Quotes:

Dougie Simpson: [at the bus driver's funeral] Who was he dad?
Burt Simpson: He drove buses

Movie Connections:

Remade as Aanaval Mothiram (1990)

Soundtrack:

Roll With It

Dabney Coleman, Action Hero

Burt Simpson, a police detective, mistakenly learns he's dying of a rare disease, but his estranged wife and family will not get the life insurance unless he dies in the line of duty. Throughout the movie he goes extreme with his police work to carry that out. Who knew that veteran character-actor Coleman could pull off such a action-oriented role? He is excellent at both the comedic and dramatic scenes, unlike many actors who perform in this genre. He also has great chemistry with Matt Frewer who plays his partner Ernie. (Burt and Ernie, ha ha!) There is much characterization that we don't often see in action movies.

The circumstances of his false knowledge are very funny. Everyone's reaction to why the hell he is doing this extreme stuff is hilarious, especially after the hostage crisis. This plot does begin a burnout towards the very end, but at least its a short enough movie that it didn't get idiotic. And keep an eye out for what might be one of the most spectacular movie car chases ever. I truly think it ranks up there with "Bullit" and "The French Connection". As for the movie poster, well, lets say it should have shown something different.

Short Time is an action movie with terrific acting, a meaningful story, and top-dollar action. There hasn't been one like that in a Long Time.