Someone to Watch Over Me (1987)

A married New York cop falls for the socialite murder witness he's been assigned to protect.

Director:

Ridley Scott

Writer:

Howard Franklin

Stars:

Tom Berenger, Mimi Rogers, Lorraine Bracco

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Berenger	...	Mike Keegan
Mimi Rogers	...	Claire Gregory
Lorraine Bracco	...	Ellie Keegan
Jerry Orbach	...	Lt. Garber
John Rubinstein	...	Neil Steinhart
Andreas Katsulas	...	Joey Venza
Tony DiBenedetto	...	T.J. (as Tony Di Benedetto)
James E. Moriarty	...	Koontz (as James Moriarty)
Mark Moses	...	Win Hockings
Daniel Hugh Kelly	...	Scotty
Harley Cross	...	Tommy
Joanne Baron	...	Helen Greening
Anthony Bishop	...	Waiter
David Berman	...	Cop #1
Sharon K. Brecke	...	Bimbo (as Sharon Brecke)

Storyline

In Queens, Mike Keegan is celebrating with his wife Ellie, his son Tommy and friends his recent promotion to detective in a precinct in Manhattan. Meanwhile, in a fancy club, the socialite Claire Gregory witnesses the murder of the owner of the place by the powerful mobster Joey Venza. Mike is assigned to protect her in the night shift in her apartment in Manhattan. When Venza threatens Claire, the contact of Mike with Claire gets closer and conflicts him, dividing between the love for his family and the heat passion for Claire and the fascination for her world.

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Plot Keywords:

infidelity | love triangle | extramarital affair | witness | hostage | 

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Taglines:

If you ever see me again, you never saw me before.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

The nightclub scenes were filmed on board the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. The murder scene was filmed in the Queen Mary's pool area.

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Goofs

The newspaper which Mike is carrying on his way to his first shift guarding Claire has the word "SUPERMEN!" on the back page. He is carrying an identical newspaper three or four days later.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Det. Mike Keegan: Hey! We got food back there, you know; all right? Hey, thanks for comin' - good to see ya. Come on in, get a drink. T.J...
T.J.: Yeah?
Det. Mike Keegan: Set 'em up with a drink.

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Connections

References The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

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Soundtracks

Marie, Marie
Written by Dave Alvin
Performed by The Blasters
Courtesy of Slash Records/Warner Bros. Records, Inc.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

Fine acting

As other reviewers have noted, the story is none too special, quite generic. But even a generic story can be made memorable by good writing, good acting, and good directing; this movie has all three of those. Tom Berenger as the somewhat naive and vulnerable work-class junior detective. Mimi Rogers (who I did not even recognize initially, with the 80's hairstyle), as the upper-class murder witness. And even the supporting cast were all great. Nobody overacted, and no cliches. I credit the director, Ridley Scott, for keeping it low-key and believable.

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 October 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Someone to Watch Over Me

Filming Locations:

Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,800,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,908,796, 12 October 1987

Gross USA:

$10,278,549

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,278,549

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1