LAST OF THE FINEST

US, 1990, 106 minutes, Colour.
Brian Dennehy, Joe Pantoliano, Jeff Fahey, Bill Paxton, Debora- Lee Furness.
Directed by John Mackenzie.

Last of the Finest (also known as Blue Heat) is a police story set in Los Angeles. It comes at the end of the '80s - but is one in the great number of police stories of the '70s and '80s, always popular.

Once again we are given a portrait of a squad (this time with a working class background and some details, presented authentically, of families). There is police corruption, big drug money - extending to Washington and Central America.

The film shows the squad at work, their camaraderie, their working as a team. There is a death, suspension from duty, their forming a vigilante squad - and uncovering an extensive drug-dealing, arms-smuggling operation.

While the material is familiar and the ultimate outcome expected, the film offers quite a deal of excitement, an invitation to share in the experiences of the police and their family, their frustrations. In this sense, it is a relation of Joseph Wambaugh's style of police story (New Centurions, Blue Knight, Police Story, Black Marble).

Brian Dennehy gives yet again a fine performance as the central policeman, supported by Bill Paxton, Joe Pantoliano, Jeff Fahey. Australian actor Deborra- Lee Furness has an effective role as Dennehy's wife.

Direction is by John Mackenzie, the English director whose credits include The Long Good Friday, The Honorary Consul, The Fourth Protocol, Act of Vengeance with Charles Bronson.

1.Effective police story, exploration of the law, justice, political, police and civic corruption?

2.The Los Angeles of the movie, the police precincts, the affluent world of the drug and arms dealers, the contrast with the workers' homes and the park for the children? Musical score?

3.The original title, the praise of the police of integrity?

4.The opening with the team, playing ball, collaborating in their work, the stakeout, not getting the back-up, the undercover agent as the old woman? The explosions, the money destroyed, the mess? The drug dealings and Reece? Frank and his psychological report, the official and his disapproval of Frank's behaviour? The lack of evidence, his pooh-poohing ideas? The burnt money? The suspension, the hearing, the police resigning under such pressure? The break-up of the team, especially with Howard's death?

5.The portrait of Los Angeles police, integrity, their role? The corruption of the officials, the reasons, motivation, money, resentments and frustrations? The police of integrity and their trying to do their job?

6.Brian Dennehy as Frank, the portrait of a middle-aged man, on the edge, aggressive, psychological balance, drinking? Relationship with his wife, family? The genial family sequences, football, play? With the other members of the group? On edge? Eddie and the information, the hooker, her death? Phone calls in the night, discovering the bodies? The build-up to his resignation and yet wanting to pursue the case, find Howard's killer? His wife confronting him and his admitting the truth? The discussions between the group, Wayne resigning from the police force, Ricky not wanting to because of his life and pension, his decision? The robbery to get the money, buying the equipment? Posing as journalists - and taking the press cards? The stalking of Reece, the Central American group, the businessman and his speech? On the roof, the video, going to the old policeman's home, the drink for Tommy, his reading the lips? Being betrayed by their boss? The emotional impact, Frank and his going to Howard's wife and telling her? The memories of the barbecue and party scenes, the family relationship of the group? The build-up of the dangers, Tommy's body in the locker rooms? Going to the pier, in the big vehicle, surveillance, shot at? Taking the truck - and ironically all the money? Hiding the money in the sewer? Hiding the wives after the attack on Linda? The decisions about keeping the money, police, their motivations? The elaborate showdown, the industrialist, Reece? The bargaining, the knife at his throat, the police chief and his change of heart? The showdown and shoot-out? The finale with the park, the monument? The money going up in flames - but enough for the monument? Their being reinstated? Frank's future? The portrait of his wife - understanding and support, the threats, her children, escaping from the attack? The decisions about the money?

7.Wayne, his photographic skills, relationship with Ricky, tensions, lack of tact? His work in the team, the video, the photographs? The final shooting - the bullet-proof vest? Howard, place in the team? His death? His wife and her pregnancy? Ricky, his girlfriend, the bond between the two? Place in the team, young and tough? Decision to resign? His participation in the action, the finale?

8.The police officials, the corrupt boss, his thwarting Frank and the team, the investigation? The resignation? His engineering the murders of the informer and the hooker, of Tommy? The meal and the confrontation with Frank? His explanation of his motivation? Going to the businessman, the go-between, the change of heart at the end and his death? Reece, small business, the contact man, the drugs, the brutality to the hooker? At the speech, the deal? The finale and his getting the money and detonating the explosion? The businessman, the Washington contact, the Central Americans flying in? His aggressive speech, the selling of arms? The pier and the wharves, the transporting of the weapons, the drugs? Getting the money? The cover of the Right-Wing? American activity? The showdown, his fear, death in the helicopter? The informer, the prostitute, their deaths? The elaborate dinner, the speech, the wealthy supporters? The contrast with the showdown and the futility of his activity? The Washington connection - and the television with the finale, the speech and the possibility of the corruption continuing?

9.The picture of police, collaboration, the ex-cops and their home?

10.Satisfactory action spectacle and excitement? The realism of the activities, crime investigation, pursuit? Moral decisions about career, corruption, drugs, money, integrity?