Ricochet (1991)

A District Attorney is terrorized by the criminal he put away years ago when he was a cop.

Director:

Russell Mulcahy

Writers:

Fred Dekker (story), Menno Meyjes (story)

Stars:

Denzel Washington, John Lithgow, Ice-T

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Denzel Washington	...	Nick Styles
John Lithgow	...	Earl Talbot Blake
Ice-T	...	Odessa (as Ice T)
Kevin Pollak	...	Larry Doyle
Lindsay Wagner	...	DA Priscilla Brimleigh
Mary Ellen Trainor	...	Gail Wallens
Josh Evans	...	Kim
Victoria Dillard	...	Alice
John Amos	...	Reverend Styles
John Cothran	...	Councilman Farris (as John Cothran Jr.)
Linda Dona	...	Wanda (as Linda Doná)
Matt Landers	...	Chief Floyd
Lydell M. Cheshier	...	R.C.
Starletta DuPois	...	Mrs. Styles
Sherman Howard	...	Kiley

Storyline

In this action thriller, Denzel Washington plays Nick Styles, the assistant district attorney of L.A. The film opens in his early days as a cop on the L.A.P.D. During a carnival, master criminal Earl Talbot Blake creates a scene after a botched drug deal. Styles and Blake confront each other, during which Blake is wounded by Styles and later sent to prison. Seven years later, Blake escapes from prison during a parole board hearing to carry out his revenge against Styles, and what follows is a violent series of events that destroys Styles' career. This sets the stage for one last bloody duel between Styles and Blake.

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Plot Keywords:

district attorney | escape from prison | tower | african american | empty swimming pool | 

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Taglines:

He's a cop accused of murder. And the only man who knows he's innocent is the killer who framed him.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence and sensuality, and for language and drug content

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 October 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Рикошет

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles City Hall - 200 North Spring Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,831,181, 6 October 1991, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$21,760,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Home Box Office (HBO),Cinema Plus,Indigo Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ricochet (1991) is the first of two movies to feature Denzel Washington and John Lithgow, the next one is The Pelican Brief (1993), that time around, Lithgow isn't a villain.

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Goofs

There are various times throughout the film that Blake's fogged eye becomes clear.

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Quotes

Alice Styles: You lied to me.
Nick Styles: I didn't lie to you. I just didn't tell the whole truth.
Alice Styles: You're such a lawyer.

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Alternate Versions

Re-rating in 2007 by the BBFC in the UK waived the cut to the butterfly knife, but still cut the shot of the child-porn magazine.

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Connections

Features White Heat (1949)

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Soundtracks

I Love Your Smile
Words and Music by Narada Michael Walden, Shanice (as Shanice Wilson), Sylvester Jackson,
Jarvis La Rue Baker
Published by Gratitude Sky Music (ASCAP), Shanice 4 U Music (ASCAP)
Performed by Shanice (as Shanice Wilson)
Courtesy of Motown Record Company. L.P.

User Reviews

Unusual Action Film benefits from Sharp Performances.

Rookie Cop (Two Time Oscar-Winner:Denzel Washington) has come a long way from the tough streets of L.A., Nick's life changed forever when he becomes a celebrity. When he stopped a ruthless psychotic killer by the name of Blake (John Lithgow). Nick becomes a media sensation, when it was captured on video by a bystander. Nick's career takes off as a lawyer, while the criminal is behind bars. Seven years has passed... Nick never realize that Blake is being planning the perfect plan of intimidation, public humiliation and murder. Nick has no choice to ask for help, when he ask his old friend (Ice T). Which his old friend has become a Street Hustler while dealing drugs and stealing cars at the same time. Together with the help of another friend (Kevin Pollak) to set a trap for Blake.

Directed by Russell Mulcahy (Highlander, Resurrection, The Shadow) made an entertaining, lurid, action/thriller. This film is also campy at times, especially for this interesting premise. Lithgow offers a scene stealing performance as the villain, which he is entertaining. Mulcahy even manages to give a Highlander homage in a scene. Victoria Dollard (T.V.'s Spin City) also co-star in the film as Nick's wife.

DVD has an sharp non-anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an terrific-Dolby 2.0 Surround Sound. This film has never been a box office hit but it did become a cult hit on video and a television favorite. The film's only flaw is the silly conclusion but Mulcahy keeps things moving in the film. Do not miss this far-fetched but strong Action/Thriller. Screenplay by Steven E. de Souza (Beverly Hills Cop 3, Commando, Street Fighter). From a Story by Fred Dekker (Night of the Creeps) and Menno Meyjes (Max). Panavision. (****/*****).