A Show of Force (1990)

An American journalist in Puerto Rico in 1978 investigates the death of nationalists who may have been murdered by the police.

Director:

Bruno Barreto

Writers:

Anne Nelson (book), Evan Jones (screenplay),

Stars:

Amy Irving, Andy Garcia, Lou Diamond Phillips

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Amy Irving	...	Kate Melendez
Andy Garcia	...	Luis Angel Mora
Lou Diamond Phillips	...	Jesus Fuentes
Robert Duvall	...	Howard
Kevin Spacey	...	Frank Curtin
Erik Estrada	...	Machado
Juan Fernández	...	Captain Correa
Lupe Ontiveros	...	Pepita
León Singer	...	Julio Dominguez
Priscilla Pointer	...	Alice Ryan
Hattie Winston	...	Foster
Joseph Campanella	...	Walker Ryan
Jorge Luis Ramos	...	Asencio
Fernando Quinones	...	Fernando Quinones
Claribel Medina	...	Carla De Ruiz

Storyline

Porto Rico, 1978. The Antillian autonomous US Commonwealth is divided by supporters of becoming a full US member state and independence activists, including a violent wing the governor labels as terrorists. Divorced reporter Kate Melendez, widow of independista lawyer Juan, gets in personal danger when she stumbles on a dark set-up. Federal agent Jesus Fuentes officially infiltrated an operation to illegally broadcast a message on Constitution Day in which students Jorge Rey and Alfredo Ruiz are killed. He instigates kidnappings and murders, covered by powerful people. She's scared away, but the senate appoints a special investigator, Luis Angel Mora.

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Plot Keywords:

kidnapping | prison | dead boy | explosion | boy | 

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Taglines:

When a person murders, it's a crime. When a government murders, it's a cover-up.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 May 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

A terror csapdájában

Filming Locations:

Puerto Rico

Box Office

Gross:

$152,982 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Forna Productions, Golden Harvest Company, Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Pricilla Pointer, Amy Irving's real-life mother, plays her mother, "Alice Ryan" in this movie.

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Soundtracks

"Happy Birthday To You"
Written by Mildred J. Hill and Patty S. Hill

User Reviews

All-star cast, cheesy script

This movie was an attempt to portray actual events, but it fictionalized the story and the locales so much that it detracts from the movie. In addition is what I perceive as the pro-nationalist slant of the script.

All in all, the movie presents great examples of early work by Andy Garcia, Lou Diamond Phillips, Kevin Spacey and also has Robert Duvall.

If you can stand the inaccuracies, watch it for the cast of then future stars, and for Robert Duvall in a solid supporting role.