Short Time (1990)
As a result of a misdiagnosis, Detective Burt Simpson is told he has just weeks to live. He gains a new respect for his life and loved ones but learns that in order for his wife, Carolyn, and son, Dougie, to collect any insurance money, he must be killed in the line of duty. He then becomes the most reckless man on the police force, volunteering for dangerous assignments over the objections of his by-the-book partner.
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Redundant and unnecessary.
I wanted to but couldn't!
Boring, over-political, tech fuzed mess
It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.
What can I say that has not already been said. This is a 1990 film that stands up well even today, in fact I'm surprised it has never been remade by the likes of Stallone or Willis. It's a genuinely funny movie with quite a straight forward story line. No bad languages or unnecessary nudety, just well written and brilliantly acted comic situations that support the movies main premise. Hard to find but really worth watching, a must see.
Dabney Coleman, Matt Frewer, Xander Berkeley and Teri Garr star in this 1990 action-comedy. Coleman (9 to 5) plays Burt Simpson (No, not Bart Simpson), a veteran cop who gets misinformed that he's dying, so he tries getting himself killed on the job to collect on insurance for his family. Frewer plays Burt's partner, Ernie (Ha, Bert & Ernie from Sesame Street) and Garr (Dumb & Dumber) plays Burt's ex-wife, Carolyn. Berkeley (Terminator 2) plays dangerous criminal, Stark and Joe Pantoliano (The Goonies) & Barry Corbin (Wargames) also appear. I've always liked this film, Coleman is great in it and he & Frewer are good together. I recommend this good action-comedy.
Dabney Coleman plays a cop getting into his "short time" just before retirement. Knowing what we do about police movies, we understand why he's careful and plays it safe. During a routine blood test, he finds out he has a terminal disease and his insurance will only pay out to his estranged wife and son if he dies in the line of duty. From that setup, we get a marvelous performance by Coleman. Matt Frewer as his new partner is wonderful as well. Everyone gives a solid performance here, even Coleman's unmarked cruiser in a amazing chase sequence. If you happen to see this one coming up on TV, give it a try. I think you'll like it.
A police detective learns he is dying from a disease and decides to get himself killed in the line of duty so his wife and son can receive a handsome sum of money upon his demise. But getting himself killed is way harder than he thought. Although the film slows way too much down in the second half and gets overly sentimental there's more than a fair share of laughs to compensate. Dabney Coleman is terrific as usual and the rest of the cast support him well. Well worth catching.