Hollywood
Homicide (2003)
Apparently there were several reshoots
on "Hollywood Homicide" because test audiences couldn't
figure out if the film was a comedy or a buddy action
film. Apparently none of the audience members have
seen any of the "Lethal Weapon" movies nor do they
have an IQ over 60. "Hollywood Homicide" is both buddy
action cop flick and a comedy to boot.
Granted, the plot here is ridiculous
and poorly scripted. The thing feels like it wanted
to be a spoof of action buddy cop flicks but either
filmmaker Ron Shelton (who scripts and directs here)
or the studio watered down this aspect. Instead we
get a standard and contrived plot about a record company
exec run amok and rap stars who are shot on stage.
It doesn't matter though because the plot isn't what
is important here, characters are.
And Shelton's cop characters, the
grizzled professional and the rookie, are spoofed
wonderfully by Harrison Ford and Josh Hot-nett. To
make the "Hollywood" in the title the more predominant
theme (rather than the "Homicide"), Shelton makes
his characters as quirky as possible. Ford is a part-time
real estate agent who is barely afloat financially
due to his huge mortgage. Ford attracts the attention
of Internal Affairs when his finances get messy due
to "comingling of funds." Ford's character, meanwhile,
also tries to sell an ageing producer's house to a
hip-hop club owner.
Hottie, I mean Hartnett, meanwhile,
plays a dead cop's son out to find out what happened
to his dad. He also teaches yoga, studies the Karma
Sutra, beds female hotties, and decides to try his
hand at acting putting on a "showcase" performance
of Tennessee Williams' "Streetcar Named Desire." These
characters are just so weird, they're interesting
and likeable. Ford and Hot-nett don't have the best
chemistry in the world but this only serves to make
their character's partnership more interesting.
The highlight of "Hollywood Homicide"
is an elongated chase scene in the film's climax that
includes cars, minivans, bicycles and the subway.
This is where the film really kicks into gear and
becomes worthy. Too often in the first 80 minutes
or so, the horrid plot can drag the film down but
this ending redeems the film.
"Hollywood Homicide" with new school
hottie Josh Hartnet and old school Handsome Jack Harrison
Ford has a little something for everyone. Take mom
(or dad, as the case may be) and sit back and enjoy.
If you don't take it seriously, you'll dig it.
Note:
With Lolita Davidovich and Lena
Olin (as if there was a difference) as well as Master
P, David Keith, Martin Landau, Lou Diamond Phillips
(playing a cop in drag in what amounts to a cameo),
Gladys Knight, Bruce Greenwood, Kurupt, Dwight Yoakum,
and Dr. Dre. Eric Idle has a hilarious cameo. Robert
Wagner and Frank Sinatra Jr. also have cameos.
At one time the film was known as
"Two Cops."
Viewed in Austin in June 2003 at
a sneak open to the paying public.
