RUNNING SCARED
US, 1986, 102 minutes, Colour.
Gregory Hines, Billy Crystal, Steve Bauer, Darlene Flugel, Jimmy Smits, Joe Pantoliano, Dan Hedaya.
Directed by Peter Hyams.
Running Scared is one of the many police films of the '80s, one of the many buddy police partner films. It has a Chicago setting, offers the world of drug deals and violent criminals. There is nothing particularly new about the screenplay - the success of the film depends on the two stars, comedian-dancer Gregory Hines (Cotton Club, Tap) and comedian Billy Crystal (Throw Momma From The Train). They work well together, are unorthodox undercover police, make mistakes, are tempted to give up, but come back in order to do their duty. Jimmy Smits is the villain.
The film uses the city of Chicago well, especially a spectacular chase along the L railway line and a climax with gymnastics in an office building.
An indication of the popular kind of film of the '80s - directed by Peter Hyams, director of a wide range of genre films including 2010, Capricornia One and another police buddy film of the '70s, Busting. (He also acts as his own director of photography.)
1. Popular police story? Police buddies? Drugs? Violence, justice?
2. The photography of Chicago, the use of the streets, the railway, buildings? Authentic atmosphere? Florida? Musical score?
3. The title, the buddies, criminals, danger?
4. The presentation of Danny and Ray, on the street, playing basketball with the kids, the hold-up, the chase of Gonzales? Getting themselves involved, chasing Snake and arresting him? Interrogations? Deals? His leading them to Gonzales, the turnaround and the undercover police having to blow their cover? The hold-up by kids in the street and the pursuit? Seeing them in action, with their chief? The difficulty with the leads for drug lines? Off the job, in Florida, enjoying their holiday? The decision to leave the force and stay in Florida? Their return, the confrontation with Gonzales? His taking Anna? The siege in the building, the heroics and gymnastics? Confronting Gonzales? Their successful achievement? Unorthodox manner, styles? The personality of each, black and white, comic touches, pathos? Ray and his relationship with women? Danny and his estrangement from Anna? Meeting her, her being taken, rescuing her? Pals at the end?
5. Gonzales as the typical criminal, drug-runner, wanting to be a Hispanic Godfather? The undercover police, Snake? Shoot-outs, threats, deals? Taking Anna? The shoot-out?
6. Anna, estrangement from Danny, talking with him, at the funeral (and the acid comments of his aunt? Her plan to get married, her being taken?
7. Snake, the small-time gangster, being taken, brazen attitudes, in handcuffs, turning the tables on the police?
7. The police authorities, criminals, a precinct at work, undercover agents, leads, infiltrating gangs? Drugs, importation from South America (and the priest and the nun)? A mirroring of police work of the 80s?
