Film Review: The Hard Way (1991)

Hollywood at times can turn to itself as a source of inspiration for its films. This could take form in various genres, including “high concept” action comedy. One such attempt, The Hard Way, 1991 film directed by John Badham, was solid although not living to its full potential.

The plot begins in New York City where demented serial killer Party Crasher (played by Stephen Lang) has a habit of inviting police to the scene before committing murders at public places. Homicide detective Lt. John Moss (played by John Woods), despite taking huge risks, fails to catch him and vents his frustration through foul-mouthed outburst in front of television cameras. In the meantime, Hollywood superstar Nick Lang (played by Michael J. Fox) has different sort of problems. While the Smoking Gunn series of action adventure films brought him fame, wealth and millions of adoring fans, he is frustrated by lack of respect among critics and wants to be taken as serious actor by starring in upcoming gritty police drama. After accidentally watching Moss on camera, he gets and idea to win the role by employing Method acting. Through connections with New York City administration, he arranges for himself to be “partnered” with Moss under the guise of novice detective. This should give him opportunity to study the detective’s mannerisms, speech and way of life that would make his future film performance as realistic as possible. Moss, who was pulled from the Party Crasher case, isn’t happy and expresses nothing but disdain for spoiled Hollywood star. He nevertheless continues with his attempts to catch the killer while Lang tries to win him over by using his stellar power and acting experience to help him in relationship with single mother Susan (played by Anabella Sciorra).

John Badham was very good choice for director of this film, since he had made some of the best action film in 1980s and some of them even worked as comedy. Script by Sam Dobbs and Daniel Pyne had a promising basic concept which mixed satirical portrayal of arrogant, self-centred and often deluded Hollywood stars with parody of buddy cop films, a genre which was at the peak of popularity in late 1980s and early 1990s. The script, however, works best in the beginning, when the characters and basics of plot are estbalished. In the second part humour gets replaced with action which, although professionally directed, too often becomes repetitive, making the film slightly overlong. What makes this film ultimately entertaining is the cast. Michael J. Fox, who was never proper action star, enjoys opportunity to play one (or, to be precise, play a person playing the action star) and he isn’t even hesitating to parody his famed character Marty McFly from Back to the Future films. He has very good chemistry with James Woods who actually doesn’t have much work to do, because his character of manic street smart policeman isn’t that different from many similar roles he has played during the character. The villain in the film is something of a disappointment. The character is very underwritten, which isn’t compensated with Stephen Lang’s over the top acting. Other members of cast make much better impression, like rap artist LL Cool J in his screen debut as one of Moss’ colleagues (with his greatest hit “Mama Said Knock You Out” serving as the film’s theme song). The Hard Way had solid box office, but it quickly became forgotten. Those who watch it now will be entertained and would probably wonder why was it so.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

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