Internal Affairs (1990)

Boring, puffy and totally unbelievable, Mike Figgis' overly dramatic film is surely one of Richard Gere's biggest failures. Cast as a charismatic, out of control uniformed cop, the film wants to be a "Bad Police Officer" ala "Bad Lieutenant." Gere's Dennis Peck is a womanizer with a libido constantly in overdrive. He has made a fortune doing underhanded deals and supports 4 ex-wives and numerous lovers in a luxurious manner. Yet, Internal Affairs can't seem to peg him. That is, until Andy Garcia joins the department.

On the trail of Peck's partner, played with scruffy charm by William Baldwin, Garcia soon wants to get the goods on Peck himself. We're supposed to believe Peck is too smart for Garcia; After all he's been getting away with murder for quite some time now. in addition to this, we're supposed to believe Garcia is vulnerable because he's new to the force. But eventually all of this blows up in Figgis' face when Henry Bean's script reaches it's inevitable bloody shootout posing as the film's finale.

The film is incredibly politically incorrect but, this is only noticeable, because it is played out so badly. Figgis and Bean, like their fictional Peck, are so preoccupied with pussy in this film that they even let one of the main female characters (Laurie Metcalf as Garcia's partner) share this interest by implying that she is a lesbian. Furthermore. Garcia's nationality is impugned as well when his supposed hot, Spanish temper acts as the fuel that propels part of his character's actions. All the women in the film are severely mistreated by this misogynistic piece but none moreso than Nancy Travis, who plays Garcia's wife. After Peck confronts her while Garcia is spying on them, the husband's (Spanish) jealousy is stoked. Garcia confronts Travis in a restaurant and slaps her around in his jealous rage. Later, when Garcia returns to her without any apology, she is forced to act apologetic and guilty in his place. After this humbling, the duo have fantastic sexual intercourse. This supposedly after this area of their marital life has been severely ignored since Garcia's promotion. Travis, apparently, only needed to be slapped around - and Garcia had to do the slapping - to provoke their libidos. It's horribly disgusting.

Metcalf barely eeks by without being embarrassed in this film and, therefore, her appearance is the only thing that makes "Internal Affairs" watchable. Seeing Jackie from TV's "Roseanne" in a dramatic role is quite interesting and Metcalf never hams up her performance. It's nice to see her showing other sides to her ability on screen. Metcalf will be an actress to watch for decades to come.

As for the others, only Baldwin comes across as likable, even though his character is a drug addict and a wife-beater as well. He, like all the other characters in the film, owe their actions and their inevitable fate to Gere's character's underhanded dealings. Baldwin is frustrated because he owes Peck, as his partner, and yet he knows the man is fucking his wife, whether he admits it consciously or not. Baldwin does more here, with the least amount of screen time to build on, than even Metcalf. He compels us because he is totally swamped by his situation where Metcalf is interesting because she is the only one in control of her destiny. She is the only one immune to Peck's prowess as either a lover or a rival. Eventually, Peck has to use a gun to overcome her as an obstacle.

"Internal Affairs" is a slick, pointless film that has no reason to exist. If you have to see it, watch it for Gere's ridiculous over-the-top performance and/or Metcalf's nice turn. Everything else in the film is worthless.

Note: Figgis, as usual, composes and plays on some of the score music for his film. He also has a small role as Hollander. Producer Frank Mancuso Jr. also plays a cop in a small role in the film.

Also with Annabella Sciorra, Alan Havey and Elijah Wood in small roles.

Director of Photography is John A. Alonzo. Other music is by Brian Banks and Anthony Marinelli. The later also performs on the score.

Video art displays by Video Image.

This film was released the same year in which Gere made a huge comeback with "Pretty woman."

Review written in 1996

Report Card

Script: F

Acting: D-

Cinematography\Lighting: C

Special Effects\Make Up: C

Music: C+

Final Grade: F