Shakedown (1988)

Director:

James Glickenhaus

Writer:

James Glickenhaus (writer)

Release Date:

6 May 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Whatever you do... don't call the cops!

Plot:

A legal attorney and renegade cop team up to stop a corrupt cop.

Plot Keywords:

Corruption | Roller Coaster | Independent Film

Cast

Peter Weller	...	Roland Dalton
Sam Elliott	...	Richie Marks
George Loros	...	Officer Varelli
Thomas G. Waites	...	Officer Kelly
Daryl Edwards	...	Dr. Watson
Jos Laniado	...	Ruben
Richard Brooks	...	Michael Jones
Blanche Baker	...	Gail Feinberger
Shirley Stoler	...	Irma
John C. McGinley	...	Sean Phillips
Patricia Charbonneau	...	Susan Cantrell
Walter Flanagan	...	Prison Guard
Walter Bobbie	...	Dean Howland
Henry Judd Baker	...	Big Leroy
Andrew Johns	...	Billy

Also Known As:

Blue Jean Cop (Australia) (video title) (Philippines: English title) (UK) (video title (TV title))

Runtime:

112 min | UK:93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:M | South Korea:18 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Shapiro-Glickenhaus Home Video (I)

Trivia:

A theater marquee shows Fatal Beauty (1987), which also co-starred Sam Elliott.

Quotes:

Roland Dalton: Once upon a time all I planned to do was play the tenor sax. Forever. That's it. Fillsville, man. But my dad and everybody said I was a sap, there was no money in it, so I go to law school, and I am here now, gone from another place. But I could play the tenor sax all day and all night. Everything was possible. And I was very certain that at any moment, I was going to find the love of my life.
Richie Marks: The love of your life?
Roland Dalton: Yeah.
Richie Marks: I met the love of my life once. Only I killed her dog before I got a chance to tell her. Man, she was everything I ever wanted. I met her at Shakespeare in the park. Told her I was a lawyer - that line seemed to work for you. Rained like hell that day...
[...]

Movie Connections:

References Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II (1987)

Soundtrack:

LOOKIN' FOR LOVE

Action packed tale benefits from the three dimensional characters.

Director James Glickenhaus (The Soldiers, The Exterminator, McBain) has composed a reasonably well constructed thriller with the usual spectacular action sequences and an interesting plot. This time though, the strong performances from the lead stars help propel Shakedown above the usual mundane low budget films. Peter Weller (Robocop, Screamers) is excellent as Roland Dalton, a frustrated attorney who must help defend a troubled youth who has been accused of murdering a police officer. However, there is more to the scene of the crime than meets the eye...

Sam Elliot (Road House) is grand as Richie Marks, a rogue police officer who is always at the wrong place at the right time. Marks and Dalton happen to form a "buddy-buddy" type bonding, and their investigation eventually leads knee deep into a conspiracy of corruption, deceit, and murder...

Shakedown is a decent action flick with an intriguing plot with enthralling plot twists and top notch action sequences. The fist fight aboard a moving roller coaster is a highlight and the extended vehicle chase through the streets of Manhattan is another highlight.

What makes Shakedown an exceptional thriller though, is the three dimensional performances. Peter Weller is definitely the performer worth watching in Shakedown. His convincing portrayal as a tough lawyer adds an extra depth of integrity to an otherwise standard "kill or be killed" actioner. Sam Elliot has his moments too as a cynical renegade cop who helps Weller expose corruption in the police department.

Shakedown is worth watching just for the high caliber performances from both Weller and Elliot. The action scenes are worthwhile as well. The only setback though is these action sequences are used a little too sparesly. The lack of a breathtaking pace destroys an almost superior thriller. Otherwise, Shakedown is an adequate film. This movie would benefit greatly with a faster pace, but the acting from stars Weller and Elliot make Shakedown a film worth a look.

RATING: **1/2 out of ****.