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48 Hrs. (1982)

Succeeded by: Another 48 Hrs. (1990)

Director:
Walter Hill

COUNTRY
USA

Genre
Action

NORWEGIAN TITLE
48 timer

RUNNING TIME
96 minutes

Producer:
Lawrence Gordon
Joel Silver

Screenwriter:
Roger Spottiswoode
Walter Hill
Larry Gross
Steven E. de Souza


Cast includes:

CHARACTER ACTOR/ACTRESS RATING
Inspector Jack Cates Nick Nolte
Reggie Hammond Eddie Murphy
Albert Ganz James Remar ½
Luther David Patrick Kelly
Billy Bear Sonny Landham
Inspector Ben Kehoe Brion James ½
Elaine Marhsall Annette O'Toole -
Captain Haden Frank McRae -
Rosalie Kerry Sherman -
Detective Algren Jonathan Banks -
Casey Margot Rose -
Sally Denise Crosby -

 

Review

The first part of this semi-classic action yarn from 1982 is a contrivance of characterological conflicts and archaic set-pieces meant to lay the foundation for an ostensibly modern interracial partnership between hard-nosed cop Nick Nolte and smooth-talking convict Eddie Murphy. Nolte overdoes his tough-guy persona and is initially outplayed and outshone by Murphy and his own hair, respectively, but the film slowly finds its footing and attains the effect director Walter Hill intended. Murphy's slick, smiling Reggie Hammond is almost as irresistible as his Axel Foley was two years later. He is a natural in front of the camera and saves numerous otherwise awkward scenes. The crime plot which our two buddies find themselves in the middle of is so-so, but Hill manages to give it some kind of Dirty Harry / French Connection-esque edge.

Copyright © 22.02.2021 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang

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