DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY

US, 1991, 95 minutes, Colour.
Bruce Boxleitner, Billy Drago, Tom Bresnahan, Fabiana Udenio, Meg Foster. Robert Forster, Christopher Neame, Mattias Hues, Sharon Case, Robert Do Qui,
Directed by Peter Maris.

This is the kind of action adventure that was very popular in the 1980s and the 1990s, the type of story that could be a vehicle for Jean- Claude van Damme or Stephen cigar. It is the type of straight-to-video or DVD action show.

The title seems to give the story some dignity. And, it is used for a man from Paraguay who has committed a murder and cannot be held in the US for trial. The idea is used at the end so that the hero, after avenging the murder, is able to get out of Paraguay and return home.

Bruce Boxleitner is a Marine, seen initially with his daughter scuba diving, waving her goodbye as she goes with an artist photographer. The artist takes her to an exhibition, seems to be fascinated by some exotic violence, takes her to a remote spot so that he can photograph her for his future work, then becomes violently aggressive, she resisting, he killing her – and then communicating with his minder from Paraguay to rescue him. He has immunity.

The Marine has gone to the police station, tries to pursue the killer even to the airport. He has a previous government liaison, Robert Forster, who warns him not to take matters into his own hand. Useless advice, obviously. He goes to Paraguay, has some connections with someone who has information and weapons – played by Billy Drago in a more sympathetic role than usual, quite often a villain.

So, the action takes place in Paraguay, the Marine with several attempts to confront the killer, meeting the woman who is his mistress, becoming more sympathetic to the marine as she learns the truth. American government officials are also involved.

The killer’s mother, Meg Foster, is a powerful influence with politicians in Paraguay and lives in a wealthy mansion on an island. This then is the setup for the final confrontation, pursuits, changing situations with weapons – and, instead of shooting the killer, the Marine inserts a bomb in his camera which does the job!
One of many, many similar kinds of stories, routine but, this time, with a better cast.