Hit and Runway (1999)

Director:

Christopher Livingston

Writers:

Jaffe Cohen (written by) &
Christopher Livingston (written by)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

...the story behind the story

Plot:

Alex and Elliot an unlikely pair connect to write a film about a New York cop working undercover as a fashion model.

Plot Keywords:

Jewish | Pun In Title | Closeted Homosexual | Aspiring Writer | Gay Kiss

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Michael Parducci	...	Alex Andero
Peter Jacobson	...	Elliot Springer
Judy Prescott	...	Gwen Colton
Kerr Smith	...	Joey Worciuekowski
Hoyt Richards	...	Jagger Stevens
John Fiore	...	Frank Anderro
J.K. Simmons	...	Ray Tilman
Teresa DePriest	...	Lana
Jonathan Hogan	...	Bob
Bill Cohen	...	Norman Rizzoli
Rosemary De Angelis	...	Marie Andero
Marisa Redanty	...	Barbara
John DiResta	...	Bruno
Marian Quinn	...	Eileen
Stephen Singer	...	Rabbi Pinchas

MPAA:

Rated R for language, sexual content and some violent images.

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Mirador Films

Quotes:

Bob: Alex, your hero? Does he have a name?
Alex: He's... you know... an undercover cop... typical...
Bob: No, no. There is no such thing as a typical cop. In the original "Diehard," the cop is defined by an urgent need to reconcile with his wife. In, in "Dirty Harry," you have a bitter vigilante who has to find redemption in an Orwellian nightmare of thwarted individualism.
Alex (puzzled): Tony. His name is Tony.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Eating Out (2004/I)

A relationship comedy for the new millennium?

This movie is a wonderful variant on a traditional movie theme, the romantic comedy. Only in this variation it would be best to call it a relationship comedy. The two protagonists meet and although they are initially uncomfortable around each other, they are forced to work toward a common goal. In doing so they form a relationship. When that relationship ends, we see a parting scene that recalls many great parting scenes of the past.

Now for the twist, it is not a romantic relationship that ends but a friendship between a straight man and a gay man. This movie has been compared to `Kiss Me Guido' but folks that feel that way are missing the point. This story is about the development of an accepting friendship between a gay man and a straight man without the issue of sexuality. Yes, the straight man starts with the stereotypical panic that the gay man will somehow take advantage of him carnally. But he needs the gay man to help him write a screenplay and as they work together they form a bond as friends. As they collaborate on the screenplay they talk and learn important life lessons from each other. The gay man helps the straight man becomes a more insightful person and with the straight man's encouragement the gay man begins to develop some self-assurance.

At one point they are so comfortable with each other that they both get drunk and end up clinging to each other for stability as they walk through the writer's apartment. They end up passed out in the same bed and in the morning the straight man has an anxiety attack that shows he's not completely over his stereotypes.

Overall I found this to be a well-crafted and engaging film. I only wish that the relationship could have turned out differently in the end. And who knows, it might.