Film Review: Mad Dog and Glory (1993)

Chicago, according to crime statistics, is one of the deadliest big cities in America. Opening scene of Mad Dog and Glory, 1993 drama directed by John McNoughton, suggests that thing haven’t been that different few decades ago. Couple of young men die during crack deal going bad. One of the people that has to deal with the consequences is Wayne Dobie (played by Robert De Niro), photographer for Chicago Police Department. Ironically named “Mad Dog” by his colleagues, he is a shy, introverted man who dreams about becoming artist. One night during the visit to convenience store he stumbles into armed robbery but he keeps his nerve and manages to save a life of a hostage. It turns out that the hostage is Frank Milo (played by Bill Murray), loan shark and mob boss, who shows appreciation to sending Glory (played by Uma Thurman), beautiful bartender in one of his clubs, to Wayne’s apartment. Her task is to spend a week there and does everything Wayne asks from her. That makes Wayne uncomfortable, especially after he learns that Glory is forced to give such favours because her brother owes huge debt to Frank. After few days, however, Wayne falls in love with Glory and doesn’t want to give her back, leading to violent confrontation between two men.

Mad Dog and Glory wasn’t much of a hit at box office, but it received mostly positive reviews from critics. This could be best explained with many notable names involved in the project and, even more importantly, those notable names trying to something different. Director John McNaughton, best known for Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, one of the most disturbing films of its time, tackled a film that, despite being set in harsh urban jungle, at times looks like light-hearted romantic comedy. Robert De Niro, who made a career playing tough guys, here plays sensitive artist and weakling who, at least for the most of the film, looks pathetic compared with men around him (especially police colleague, played by David Caruso). Bill Murray, one of the most successful comedians of its time, plays sinister and intimidating gang boss. All this results in Mad Dog and Glory looking different from most of formulaic Hollywood films at the time.

However, there is difference between being different and being good. Mad Dog and Glory doesn’t live to its potential, and the biggest problem is in the script by Richard Price that doesn’t strike the right balance between drama, thriller and romantic comedy. Some of the dialogues are weak, especially in case of Frank, who is portrayed as too eccentric. Some of the plot elements, especially those dealing with consequences of friendship between policeman and career criminal, aren’t developed well and Mad Dog and Glory doesn’t look as realistic as it could have been. Despite McNaughton’s attempts to keep things gritty, film becomes firmly anchored into Hollywood fantasy territory. Casting of Uma Thurman, young and beautiful actress at her prime (who dutifully bares her breasts during the film’s awkward sex scene), adds to that effect and her falling in love with weak middle-aged public official isn’t particularly convincing. Kathy Baker, good actress playing Wayne’s neighbour (who would in less Hollywood film play more convincing romantic partner for protagonist), is tragically underused. The main disappointment comes at the end with showdown between Milo and Frank, which gets resolved in almost fairytale manner. Mad Dog and Glory is an interesting failure, but failure nevertheless.

RATING: 4/10 (+)

Blog in Croatian https://draxblog.com
Blog in English https://draxreview.wordpress.com/
Leofinance blog https://leofinance.io/@drax.leo
Cent profile https://beta.cent.co/@drax
Minds profile https://www.minds.com/drax_rp_nc
Uptrennd profile https://www.uptrennd.com/user/MTYzNA

Unstoppable Domains: https://unstoppabledomains.com/?ref=3fc23fc42c1b417
Hiveonboard: https://hiveonboard.com?ref=drax
Bitcoin Lightning HIVE donations: https://v4v.app/v1/lnurlp/qrcode/drax
Rising Star game: https://www.risingstargame.com?referrer=drax
1Inch: https://1inch.exchange/#/r/0x83823d8CCB74F828148258BB4457642124b1328e

BTC donations: 1EWxiMiP6iiG9rger3NuUSd6HByaxQWafG
ETH donations: 0xB305F144323b99e6f8b1d66f5D7DE78B498C32A7