The Inspectors

Came across this one on a streaming channel, as a "recommend for you" based upon movie... Thought what the heck, give it a try. It was a rather slow beginning into the meat of the movie and then it got going. Some twists and turns along the way, nothing predictable and a decent story line. Was this a first class A rated movie, no, but as a what the heck give it a shot B movie, it was okay.

If you like crime, mystery, etc you like procedurals. This is way better than it should be for a TV movie from the 90s. Only dated in that they try to use the internet and some retrospective silliness there, briefly. Otherwise, top notch, decently acted, and very good on procedures.

Everything takes time. They put together a case by diligence, hard work, and show how boring it is to make a career and a case. Zero people are shot and while cars are driven fast to get places, there is maybe sorta one car chase cut short because the police have radios.

Also interesting to see a different agency. The Postal Inspectors have an interesting mandate and are feds, and when a Sheriff disparages them, they win just by reminding them of that. Also filmed very clearly with the delighted participation of the USPS so inside mail facilities, real mail trucks, probably real crime labs, which adds to the interest for procedural-nerds like me.

Ignore much of the description. The two leads are not mismatched, etc. There's enough personal life and their relationship to make a good movie but it's more a crime procedural than a "buddy" movie or anything.

As soon as I read the TV guide I thought this is just like Seven, 'two oddly matched postal inspectors'. Hollywood has a way of taking a hit movie, and then paying idiot writers to make it three or four different ways, and another thing. Why in the heck would they re-make a movie? Because the idiot writers are not unique, no originality, everyone wants to make a fast buck, and when they strike out they send it straight to DVD. i showed my movie script to five friends and all gave me an A+, but try and get someone in Hollywood to read it, and they say they have writers on the payroll. I say good for you, I think I'll go buy some stock in a company that make blank DVDs, I'll be rich.

This one is well above the usual standard for a TV-movie. The plot, involving the investigation by two postal inspectors (Gossett, Jr. and Silverman) following a mail-bombing. The performances are outstanding and very believable, and are able to create a great deal of genuine suspense in the otherwise formula plot. Louis Gossett, Jr. is great as always, and Jonathan Silverman not only supplies some enjoyable comic relief, but shows a surprisingly effective flair for drama. All in all, a very suspenseful and extremely well-made movie. I suggest you give it a look.

I've long admired the work and professionalism of the U.S. Postal Inspectors Service and was happy to see them showcased in a film featuring such a top talent. I was also afraid that it would come out of Hollywood as your basic bit of brainless showbiz supercops nonsense. What an enjoyable relief to find my fears groundless. This film portrays solid, realistic, believable and honestly likeable characters doing their jobs in one of the worlds finest and least-known law enforcement services. The writing is solid, the direction crisp and the performances first-rate. Highly recommended.