OFF BEAT
US, 1986, 92 minutes, Colour.
Judge Reinhold, Meg Tilly, Harvey Keitel, Joe Mantegna, Amy Wright, John Turturro, Fred Gwynne.
Directed by Michael Dinner.
Off Beat is a slight but amusing police comedy. It has touches of the Police Academy series - but is more serious. It is also a touch more romantic. It is a star vehicle for Judge Reinhold (Beverly Hills Cop, Vice Versa) and Meg Tilley (Agnes of God). There is a strong supporting cast including Joe Mantegna and choreographer-dancer Jacques D'Amboise. There are a lot of guest appearances including Austin Pendleton. The film was directed by Michael Dinner (Heaven Help Us).
1. Enjoyable comedy, police comedy, spoof?
2. New York settings, police precincts, public library, Lincoln Centre? The streets and the banks? Action sequences? Musical score?
3. The title, the play on words, on the police, on music? On Joe and his offbeat behaviour?
4. The opening bust and Joe ruining it? The farce and the police? Identities and cover? Abe and Joe and the mix-up? Mistakes and handling them?
5. Joe as awkward, friends with Abe, on the bike, work in the library, the break with Mary-Ellen? Doing the favour for Abe? The audition, the clash with the other police? Attraction towards Rachel, staying for the 61 pirouettes? Clash with Pete? In the police car, the chase? His arresting of the car thief? The purse snatcher? Abe and his arguing with him, in the shower, in the clothes shop - and camp misinterpretation? His enjoying the dance? In love with Rachel, out with her, the meal with her family? The brother recognising him? Taking Rachel home and finding Mary-Ellen? Their fight? The robbery, his being held at gunpoint, Rachel's reaction? The double identity? His reaction, dancing and kicking? The hero of the hour? Television interviews? The commissioner and his reaction? The happy ending?
6. Abe and his job, friendship with Joe, the ruining of the stakeout? The camp sequences? His demotions, riding the horse to the rescue?
7. Rachel, as a policewoman, dancing, her relationship with Pete, their arguments? The car chase and her talking with Pete? Falling in love with Joe, the family? Mary-Ellen? in the apartment? The fight? The rescue? The reconciliation?
8. Pete, argumentative, the auditions, the clash with the choreographer, in the chase?
9. The choreographer, his show, exercise, strength, handling the police?
10. Rachel's parents, the family, talk, backing their daughter?
11. The robbery, Mickey and his awkwardness, Leon and his being distracted? Holding the people hostage, playing the music? Joe's reaction, overcoming them?
12. A picture of the police, precincts, police codes? The musical, the police and their dancing? Serious and spoof?
