The Mod Squad (1999)

Three problem teens sent to jail are offered a deal to work with an undercover cop, uncover an intricate drug ring and are caught in a deadly set-up. With cops on their trail, they have little time to solve the case and clear their names.

Director:

Scott Silver

Writers:

Buddy Ruskin (characters), Stephen Kay

Stars:

Claire Danes, Omar Epps, Giovanni Ribisi

7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Claire Danes	...	Julie
Giovanni Ribisi	...	Pete
Omar Epps	...	Linc
Dennis Farina	...	Greer
Josh Brolin	...	Billy
Steve Harris	...	Briggs
Richard Jenkins	...	Mothershed
Larry Brandenburg	...	Eckford
Lionel Mark Smith	...	Lanier
Sam McMurray	...	Tricky
Michael O'Neill	...	Greene
Stephen Kay	...	Bald Dude (as Stephen T. Kay)
Bodhi Elfman	...	Gilbert - Skinny Freak (as Bodhi Pine Elfman)
Holmes Osborne	...	Mr. Cochrane
Dey Young	...	Mrs. Cochrane

Storyline

Three minor delinquints (Danes, Ribisi, and Epps) are recruited by a cop (Farina) working undercover to bust a cop/drug ring. When the officer who recruited them is killed, they go above and beyond the call of duty to solve the murder; and bust the drug ring. Suffering the jibes, and ridicule of fellow officers; they struggle to save their names, and that of their deceased benefactor.

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Plot Keywords:

f rated | movie flop | drug ring | drugs | murder | 

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Taglines:

First they broke the law. Now they are the law.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, violence and some sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sarah Michelle Gellar and Milla Jovovich were among the actresses considered for the role of Julie Barnes.

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Goofs

Near the end, a car crashes through a warehouse. The walls looked to be made of tin. The vehicle was moving too fast to be stopped by one wall and the items that the vehicle hit on the inside of the warehouse. The vehicle should have crashed through the other wall since no one was in it to apply the brakes.

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Quotes

Det. Tricky: Hey ma mere. Where you going with that fine little ass baby? Why don't ya get out on the street earn a real living huh, start hustling (laughing)
Julie: What?
Det. Tricky: She digs me. You have your hall pass young lady?
Julie: Yeah you wanna see my hall pass?
Det. Tricky: Yeah and I wanna see you in detention.
Pete: Hey hey, why do you have to be such a pussy huh, leave her alone alright.
Det. Tricky: Who are you calling a pussy? Pussy!

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Worst Action Movies (2015)

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Soundtracks

Can't Find My Way Home
Written by Steve Winwood
Produced by Kevin Bacon and Jonathan Quarmby for Manna Productions
Performed by Alana Davis
Remixed by Chris Lord-Alge
Alana Davis appears courtesy of Elektra Entertainment Group

User Reviews

Many problems

Three young petty delinquents Julie (Claire Danes), Pete (Giovanni Ribisi), and Linc (Omar Epps) are recruited by detective Greer (Dennis Farina) to work undercover where cops can't normally go. They are sent in to a club to investigate. When they find Greer murdered, they set off to find his murderer even though they are ostracized by most of the police. Meanwhile Billy (Josh Brolin) from the club is interested in Julie.

The lighting is way too dark for most of the movie. I understand the underground sensibility of their investigation. However it makes it hard to watch. Ribisi is good playing the jokey jittery guy. Epps is way too stiff of an actor. Danes is probably miscast here. I've never seen the TV show, and the movie is probably trying to copy Peggy Lipton. It seems better if they go more white trash for the role like a Juliette Lewis kind. Dane is way too nice and sweet. I don't know what the original TV show is like. So it's hard for me to compare and judge the movie. There is some good music but by itself, the movie is kind of boring.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 March 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Mod Squad

Filming Locations:

Sixth Street Viaduct, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,064,716, 28 March 1999

Gross USA:

$13,263,993

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$13,263,993

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1