DOWNTOWN

US, 1990, 96 minutes, Colour.
Anthony Edwards, Forest Whitaker, Penelope Ann Miller, Joe Pantoliano, David Clennon.
Directed by Richard Benjamin.

Downtown looks like a lower key Lethal Weapon. However, it has a bit more credibility in its picture of crime and corruption in Philadelphia suburbs, the rich to the harsh downtown station. It also has more humanity, both sentiment and humour. Anthony Edwards is quite good as the naive by-the-book rookie who learns from Forrest Whitaker. At times the film goes for stunts and chases, but one has a better feeling about it than some bigger budget crash bangs. Director is actor Richard Benjamin (My Favourite Year, Racing with the Moon, The Money Pit, My Stepmother is an Alien, City Heat).

1. Entertaining police drama? Police buddies? Police work in the city? Racial and class tensions? Civic Corruption?

2. Philadelphia, the exclusive suburbs to Diamond St, downtown? The world of the slums? The piers? Authentic neighbourhoods? Stunt work? Special effects? Musical score, songs, mood?

3. The title, Downtown as a place, as a mentality, as a place of punishment? The real world of police work? The song and the final rap music?

4. Anthony Edwards as Alex: young, by-the-book, his relationship with his partner and quoting the regulations? The initial encounter with his wife and its joking tone? His chasing Sweet, trying to book him? The reaction of the authorities, the transfer downtown? His relationship with his wife - his work, sharing about his police activities, his friendships, his fears? Going downtown, arriving in the middle of the siege with its dangers and its comedy? The way that he was treated? The boss and hit swearing? Denise and taking him as hostage - and being revealed as the police? Going out with Denis, Denis's not wanting him to go? The building, the woman on drugs, his being stripped and laughed at? His car being destroyed? Going by bus to work (and getting to know the passengers and greeting them)? His ideas, going uptown for computer work? His partner driving him downtown, his death, grief, consolation by Laurie? Denis and the work, their fight, the interrogation of the fat man and his squashing Alex? The boss and his exasperation? Denis's family, his wife, the kids, the beach boy records and surfing? Drinking with Denis, Denis talking? Seeing Sweet at his car - and further threats? Smart police work, following up the leads? The discovery of the gang, the chase and his diving into the car? Computing the information, he and Denis being shot at? With his wife and her confrontation about the danger? His plan, the boss anti the plan, Going to the wharf, slashing the car, being caught, hanging on the machine, the threat of death? Sweet and Mr White? The fight with Mr White, driving dangerously and surviving? Visiting Denis in hospital? In hospital finally with him and playing the music? His apprenticeship as policeman?

5. The contrast with Denis, his role during the siege, seeming to be a criminal, outsmarting the attackers? Tough, the neighbourhood, black? Mourning for his dead partner? His wife confronting him? His relationship with his wife, the family, the kids at table, cranky with them, going out to drink with his mates? Having to cope? The party, Alex’s presence, the beach boys? Drinking and explaining the situation to Alex? His hostility, the episode of Alex being stripped: handcuffing him to the file the fat man and the interrogation and threats? (And Alex laying down the law about rules)? Their working together, discovery of the gang, computer work, his observations on the affluent precincts, being shot, in hospital, his wife's support? In hospital with Alex - and finally shotting the beach boys record? Portrait of a policeman?

6. Sweet, smooth talk, disregarding the rules, speeding, his father being a cop (and his reaction against it)? His arrogance, having the police in his pay? His schemes with Mr White? The racket? Encounters with Alex? At the pier, smooth talk, going to give the charity speech, the chase and his being arrested?

7. Mr White as sinister, his relationship with the gangs, using them, murdering Alex's partner, watching Alex, discussions with Sweet, shooting at Denis and Alex, the final threats, the final chase - and the gory ending?

8. Laurie and Denis's wife as policemen's wives, understanding, the dangers, fears? The children?

9. The boss and his swearing, exasperation, tough, following through at the end? The other members of the precinct and the final raid?

10. The work of crime, police, corruption, having to cope and administer justice?