IMDb RATING
6.4/10
6.5K
YOUR RATING
An ex-hit man wants a police detective/novelist to write his biography.An ex-hit man wants a police detective/novelist to write his biography.An ex-hit man wants a police detective/novelist to write his biography.
- Awards
- 2 nominations total
Charles Tyner
- Cleve's Father
- (as Harold Tyner)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaJames Woods had just quit smoking prior to filming. When it came time to shoot the cigarette on the palm scene, Woods suggested he take an already lit cigarette off of a patron--that way he wouldn't have to light and smoke a cigarette.
- GoofsWhile the robbery at the beginning of the movie was set in 1972, the robbers are driving a 1975-1978 Ford Econoline van.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Saturday Night Live: James Woods/Don Henley (1989)
Featured review
This is a thoroughly enjoyable B movie that came and went quickly from the big screen back in the late 80's. I happened to catch it then--and now own it in my movie collection.
Woods plays Cleve, a brilliant and perhaps psychotic former hit-man, who wants Dennis, a cop turned author (Brian Dennehy), to write his story. He also wants to expose his former employers. Cleve ensures Dennis that the book will be a "Best Seller" and begins taking Dennis on a lurid tour of his former hits.
Like most films, this doesn't transfer quite as well onto the small screen, but it is still well worth the viewing; (plus you get to hear James Woods warble a tune in French). Actually, Woods is way cool in this film, and delivers some of his most compelling work ever. Brian Dennehy pulls off the tough task of making the writer character equally interesting and compelling. An unlikely buddy film that has plenty of action, makes you care, and quite simply--works.
Woods plays Cleve, a brilliant and perhaps psychotic former hit-man, who wants Dennis, a cop turned author (Brian Dennehy), to write his story. He also wants to expose his former employers. Cleve ensures Dennis that the book will be a "Best Seller" and begins taking Dennis on a lurid tour of his former hits.
Like most films, this doesn't transfer quite as well onto the small screen, but it is still well worth the viewing; (plus you get to hear James Woods warble a tune in French). Actually, Woods is way cool in this film, and delivers some of his most compelling work ever. Brian Dennehy pulls off the tough task of making the writer character equally interesting and compelling. An unlikely buddy film that has plenty of action, makes you care, and quite simply--works.
- christopherleebrick
- Oct 8, 2006
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Hard Cover
- Filming locations
- Los Angeles City Hall - 200 North Spring Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA(Interior and exterior shots. 1972 flashback robbery scenes- As Police Depository Building.)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $4,278,150
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $905,399
- Sep 27, 1987
- Gross worldwide
- $4,278,150
- Runtime1 hour 35 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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