A Time to Die

A Time To Die (1991)-** Directed By: Charles T. Kanganis Starring: Traci Lords, Richard Roundtree, and Jeff Conaway

In terms of pure entertainment value, "A Time To Die" is on par with the same year's "Raw Nerve" also with Traci Lords (See review). "Die" has the edge as far as production value goes. 1991 was a banner year for Traci Lords as these AIP and PM Entertainment productions prove. She also released "Shock Em' Dead" and appeared in some television productions like "Super Force". Her album "1000 Fires" wasn't far behind.

Jeff Conaway plays Frank, an L.A. cop who wears a kickin' sports jacket and has slick hair. One night he breaks up an illegal gun deal and when he gets in over his head, he is almost shot and killed by Hispanic gangsters. Luckily, Jackie Swanson (Lords) arrives on the scene just in time and helps him thwart the bad guys. You see, Jackie is doing her 400 hours of community service by taking pictures for the L.A.P.D. She answers to disgruntled Captain Ralph Phipps (Roundtree).

She incurred this penalty because of a bogus drug charge lodged by corrupt cop Eddie Martin (Ralph Nader lookalike Robert Miano). She's a divorced gal and she has a young son with her ex-husband. If she ever wants to see her son again, she has to complete her "debt to society".

Meanwhile Frank attempts to woo Jackie into a relationship come with mixed results. His pushy nature eventually wins her over for a short period of time. Maybe Frank isn't really the charming cad he thinks he is.

The plot kicks into high gear when Jackie witnesses Eddie killing a pimp and she snaps some pics. Eddie gets wise, and they have a meeting. Jackie wants to use the pics as a bargaining chip to expunge her record so she can see her son. Eddie says "No Dice" and the more conflict ensues, including a gratuitous but enjoyable car blow-up. Will Jackie succeed in seeing her son or will an unexpected twist ruin it all?

One of the highlights of the film is Jackie's son Kevin. He is somewhere between 5 and 8 years old and yet he is a very snappy dresser. He wears a jacket, a tie and cowboy boots at all times, he looks very spiffy. Strangely there is a part of the movie that intercuts a sex scene with Kevin making his own breakfast(!) This might be a movie first. He fills a glass with half chocolate syrup and half milk. Meanwhile, he is assembling a messy disaster of waffles or possibly pancakes. Later on in the film, Kevin is depressed about the divorce and is glumly playing with his action figures….getting the line of the movie, Kevin blurts out: "I'm gonna smoosh you!" The actor that plays Kevin has a lot of range and he is a national treasure.

Fan Favorite Richard Roundtree has the thankless role as The Captain, but he makes it work. He is forever putting up with the guff of Jackie, Frank and his fellow officers.

In a bizarre subplot, two angry lesbians continually get arrested for fighting with plastic swords. Frank even takes Jackie to their house to observe this spectacle for a date! On that same date, Frank and Jackie have a picnic in the park and then they visit the lesbians fighting and to "cap" it off they go to the gun range.

How could Jackie keep spurning Frank's advances after that?

Overall, there is nothing wrong with "A Time To Die" it has a lovable cast of B-movie favorites and some decently staged action. The plot is pretty silly and melodramatic, but who really cares. Kevin really lifts this up from the muck and the mire.

Set aside some "Time" to watch this classic tonight!

Comeuppance Review by: Ty & Brett

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"Jackie" (Traci Lords) is a photographer who was recently convicted for possession of cocaine and as a result was required to spend 400 hours of community service at the police station. To make things even worse, she also lost custody of her young son "Kevin" (Jesse Thomas) in a subsequent divorce proceeding. It's during this time that she meets a police detective by the name of "Frank" (Jeff Conaway) who is also divorced and because of their similar situation become romantically involved to a certain extent. Unfortunately, things become much worse for Jackie when she photographs a police lieutenant named "Eddie" (Robert Miano) in the act of murder and now she becomes a target as well. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this film had some solid actors for the most part but the plot got bogged down rather quickly and didn't really regain any traction for most of its duration. Admittedly, Traci Lords performed adequately but even so she wasn't able to enliven this rather dull film on her own and for that reason I have rated it accordingly. Slightly below average.

Jackie (Lords) is a fashion photographer who accidentally witnesses and photographs a murder. Her new boyfriend is a policeman. In the past she has been set-up for cocaine possession that stops her seeing her son. She tries to clear her name and uncovers corruption in the police force.

Traci Lords is one of the better actors in this film. She is often regarded as a bit of a joke after making the transition from porn to straight to video B-Movies, but she has proven herself to be reliably bankable and a cult favourite. Jeff Conaway and Robert Miano are a bit corny and not totally convincing, but ok for the role. Richard Roundtree is hugely enjoyable as the police chief and looks like he is having fun, while lending a bit of star power to the film.

This is a bog standard B-movie action film. Okay production values which neither look cheap or big budget, decent acting and a mediocre script. Sadly those expecting an action fest will be disappointed. There are some violent shoot outs, a bit of martial arts and a few explosions, but these are brief and not very exciting. This came on the back of sexy thrillers like No Way Out and Body Double, if you are expecting a lot of sex you will be disappointed. There's some nudity and a fairly lengthy sex scene, but nothing special.

That said for a B-movie it is worth a watch and back in the day it would be worth a rental, but it's nothing special or stand out.

Censorship: The film was classified 18 uncut in the UK for VHS and DVD. It would still be 18 today due to cocaine use, some bloody violence and a lengthy sex scene with topless nudity.

When it comes to direct to video, 99 out of a hundred are disasters, but every once in awhile, something entertaining surfaces from the video muck. Such a film is "A Time To Die". The film is far from perfect, needing much tighter editing, in the first half especially regarding Lord's and Conway's pseudo romance. Portions with Lord's Son play like daytime drama, and these diversions drag considerably. Nevertheless, when things get going in the second half, there is action, some crisper editing, and the pace picks up nicely. The acting is totally acceptable for a B movie, along with some rather pleasing night photography. The film has very little nudity, and zero for Tracy Lords, perhaps leading to the low IMDB rating. The movie eventually twists into a totally unpredictable whopper ending. Recommended of it's type. - MERK

This had a lot going for it, but the poor writing totally blew it. The pacing was all wrong and the central conflict of the story was left unexplained (why was Traci Lords' character framed to begin with?).

The first 20 minutes (after the initial opening scene) are an absolute drag. The plot barely advances, while the movie wastes time on irrelevant details. Lords and Roundtree do their best given the material, but can't save it.

Don't get me wrong: I love low-budget movies and I'm not expecting anything elaborate here. But you need a solid foundation: a good story and a screenplay that proceeds logically. Sadly this writer/director failed to deliver.