Stakeout (1987)

Just perfect...

Boring, over-political, tech fuzed mess

As Good As It Gets

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Seattle cops Chris Lecce (Richard Dreyfuss) and Bill Reimers (Emilio Estevez)are assigned to run a surveillance operation on Maria McGuire (Madeleine Stowe) as it is believed that her ex-boyfriend (whom has recently escaped from prison) may try to make contact with her. This seemingly straight-forward operation proves to be tricky for both Lecce and his partner when Lecce starts to fall in love with Maria.Stakeout is another buddy-buddy cop film from the 1980's, but thankfully it is one of the better offerings within the genre. The plot in itself is nothing special, but director John Badham and writer Jim Kouf make sure that the film is filled with enough action and enough laughs to make sure that we're never really worrying much about the story.Richard Dreyfuss is not well-known for comedy performances, but he's all over this picture and gives 110% throughout the picture. He's very good at portraying nervy and unhinged types and this works perfectly here; he's in love with Maria, but he's also desperate not to blow his cover and the way that he continually digs holes for himself in trying to not reveal his secret is very entertaining to watch. Emilio Estevez isn't given as much to work with as Dreyfuss, but the dynamic and rapport between the two men is still excellent.Where this film really comes good is in the sheer number of funny scenes and scenarios that are thrown into the mix; the night-shift and day-shift cops both play pranks on each other, but the pranks that they play on each other aren't of the toilet-humour variety and they are in fact genuinely hilarious and creative (some of the pranks had me close to belly laughing which doesn't happen often). There were also subtle moments of humour such as the scene where the two cops are listening in to a phone conversation and you see the dog wearing a set of headphones as well. I thought that was a clever and good example of a 'sight gag.' Badham's direction is spot on and despite its slightly overly long running time the pace never slackens and he makes sure that there is never a dull moment in this film. In fact, the only criticism I could give this film is that it is predictable and a tad long. Having said that when a film is this funny, nothing else really matters.

"Buddy Cop" movies were all the rage in the 80s, and 'Stakeout' is filled to bursting with the genre's clichés. But the fresh titular premise and charming performances by, and great chemistry between, stars Richard Dreyfuss and Emilio Estevez help to lift it above the fay and make it feel fresh. Oh, and then there's Madeline Stowe. My God, Madeline Stowe. She is just... wow. But, she also gives a really nice performance here, and she and Dreyfuss make for a strangely good screen couple.'Stakeout' is a breezy, fun and subtly clever action/comedy (emphasis on the "comedy"). It's not groundbreaking, but it is solid entertainment for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Another film where it's easy to mix up the original with the sequel.This is a really dull film which, from memory, I thought was more enjoyable.Dreyfuss and Estevez hang out in an empty house opposite the house of the (ex?)girlfriend of a recently escaped convict, waiting for the con to turn up.Much time is wasted on frivolities and Dreyfuss tries (and unbelievably succeeds) to bed the female protagonist. Yawn.Very dull, very predictable and way too long. I had to turn off after about 30 minutes. From memory the sequel is far more enjoyable and a lot funnier.

I've always loved STAKEOUT, from the first time I saw it in the late 80s up until now. It never loses it's appeal with me. On the surface, it's a pretty standard 80s buddy cop action tale. But what translates to the screen is much more than that. Laughter is a hard thing to make a moviegoer do and this film succeeds in virtually every moment that is meant to be funny in making me laugh. I give STAKEOUT great credit for that. It's also a darn good action flick, when it has action and that is mostly in the beginning and at the end. In between, there's a lot of humor, of the slapstick, witty, and adult kind.Set in Seattle, STAKEOUT stars Richard Dreyfuss as Det. Chris Lecce and Emilio Estevez as Det. Bill Reimers. Chris and Bill are tasked to stakeout the home of Maria Vasquez (played by Madeleine Stowe in one of the most naturally alluring and sexy performances that you'll ever see on screen). Stowe's Maria is a true bonus for this film b/c she is much more than window dressing; she is a full blooded (and bodied!) woman. The detectives have to stakeout her home b/c her former boyfriend is an escaped convict who may pay her a visit, so the Feds want the cops there to notify them just in case.The convict is Richard 'Stick' Montgomery (played by Aidan Quinn in truly scary performance). Stick and his buddy who helped him escape are on their to Seattle to pay Maria a visit to get something that 'belongs' to Stick.Now, back to the cops: Dreyfus and Estevez have terrific chemistry and really make the most of their roles, but this is Dreyfus' show all the way! Dreyfus gives a great, physical comic performance here, a real gem of a role trapped in a standard cop buddy flick. I mean, I can't state it enough: Dreyfus is really memorable! Really, it's the top-flight performances that elevates STAKEOUT above most cop buddy flicks. Everyone really makes the most of what they are given to work with, and then Dreyfus takes it all a step further. The film is an easy mix of humor, action, and even suspense. The climactic ending is one of the more suspenseful things you'll see in any movie. It is all so well done that at times you forget that you are watching just a buddy cop film. There are also really good supporting performances from Dan Lauria and Forrest Whitaker as the other cop pair that alternate stakeout duties with Chris and Bill.Well directed by John Badham, STAKEOUT is definitely a film worth seeing!