Cohen and Tate (1988)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Eric Red

Writer (WGA):

Eric Red (written by)

Release Date:

27 January 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller

Tagline:

They were hired killers going up against the deadliest force of all. Each other.

Plot:

A boy kidnapped by two mismatched hitmen puts them at each other's throats while being driven to their employers...

Plot Keywords:

Witness Protection | Hitman | Road | Murder | Roadblock

Cast

Roy Scheider	...	Cohen
Adam Baldwin	...	Tate
Harley Cross	...	Travis Knight
Cooper Huckabee	...	Jeff Knight
Suzanne Savoy	...	Martha Knight
Marco Perella	...	FBI George
Tom Campitelli	...	FBI Fred
Andy Gill	...	FBI Roy (as Andrew R. Gill)
Frank Bates	...	Highway Patrolman
James Jeter	...	Trooper #1
Jeff Bennett	...	Trooper #2
Ron Jackson	...	Trooper #3
Ted Baader	...	Trooper #4
Kenneth McCabe	...	Gas Station Attendant
Ina B. Bott	...	Fat Woman

Also Known As:

Cohen & Tate (USA) (alternative spelling)

Runtime:

86 min | Argentina:88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | UK:18 | Argentina:16 | Sweden:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16 | Norway:18

Filming Locations:

Houston, Texas, USA

Company:

Nelson Entertainment

Trivia:

The police cruisers seen during the finale were real Houston Police squad cars. Ford LTD Crown Victorias were used by HPD from 1983 - 1987; the last use of these squads was in 1993.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In order to replace a flat tire, Cohen exits the freeway and enters a field full of oil derricks. But there are no security fences around the field to keep unauthorized persons and vehicles out. Actual oil fields are always enclosed by such fences.

Quotes:

Tate: Hey what's the last thing that goes through a bug's mind when it hits a windshield? IT'S ASS
[He and Cohen laugh]

Character driven thriller propelled by great acting. (minor spoilers)

Harley Cross does fine work here as Travis Knight. Travis and his family were living out in the middle of nowhere in the witness protection program until their temporary hideout is infiltrated by gangsters. Travis is not only the sole survivor of the massacre, but also the only one who can identify the perpetrators. Two hit men known only as Cohen (Roy Scheider) and Tate (Adam Baldwin) are hired to kidnap the boy and drive him to their boss.

But, they're not dealing with just some kid. Travis actually turns out to be rather clever in what may seem like a helpless situation, figuring out Cohen and Tate's psychological weaknesses (Cohen is a by-the-book-no-questions-asked hit men while Tate takes pride in tormenting the smart-mouthed kid) and using it against them to protect himself.

It is a very simple film done quite well because it entirely character-driven. Surprisingly, it is quite a good thriller, despite the usual story of the hired hand and the mafia witnesses with great performances all around.