Sgt. Mackey (James Garner) and Sgt. Wellborn (John Lithgow) are handed the case of who murdered a movie studio boss. They try to convince their chief (John Marley) they aren't the guys for the job ("Jeez, we might actually have to solve a case."), but get it anyway and soon find themselves in the seedy underbelly of Hollywood. An adaptation of a Joseph Wambaugh novel, this one comes from producer-director-composer-co-star Stuart Margolin and takes a second to get used to with its juxtaposition of deadly serious and darkly funny bits. It is very un-PC so a lot of the dialogue would never fly today. Garner and Lithgow are fantastic in the leads as partners who really care for each other's well being. There is also one helluva dramatic shock toward the end that was incredibly done. Definitely recommended. Also featuring Margot Kidder, Paul Koslo, and Colleen Dewhurst.
