The Laughing Policeman
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Movie Reviews of The Laughing Policeman
Movie Review: GREAT DVD!
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're a fan of this movie or just a fan of old crime movies, pick this one up! With a great price and incredible picture quality; it's a must for your collection!Movie Review: "Whatever You're Reaching For Better Be A Sandwich..."
Summary: 4 Stars
The Laughing Policeman is anything but funny, although it does contain some very funny lines (like the title of this review) and some humorous situations. However, the eponymous Laughing Policeman is a grim, mirthless Walter Matthau who is investigating the death of his detective partner along with seven other people in a bus massacre. The movie unfolds as a police procedural unlike any other since, with extensive examination paid to the smallest detail. This may sound boring, but it's not. Under the steady direction of Stuart Rosenberg, the proceedings are both compelling and suspenseful.
This movie is one of the most realistic at depicting real gritty police work, which usually does comprise hitting the pavement and trying to shake out information from the demimonde on the streets. Bruce Dern is outstanding as Matthau's new hothead partner, and Lou Gosset is another standout. Matthau of course steals the movie with his hang-dog expression, laconic delivery, and the occasional violent outburst. When delivered, Matthau's angry brutality is shocking and unexpected from this actor we normally associate with comedies.
The 1970's saw the film violence floodgate open, thanks to Bonnie and Clyde, The Wild Bunch, Dirty Harry, and Straw Dogs. As a product of the new visceral '70's, this movie is very graphic and very violent, especially the opening scene. There is also some strong language, which surprised me for an early '70's movie, as profanity would become more mainstream in mid-to-late '70's flicks.
With the above caveat, by all means see this movie. It is a fine example of the police procedural, a great performance by Walter Matthau, a slice of 1970's urban graphic violence and language, and an interesting flashback to a pessimistic era not unlike our current time. As time passes, it's striking to note how little has really changed.
P.S.: This movie has no extras whatsoever, and is priced accordingly, making it very affordable.
Movie Review: No Motive Necessary
Summary: 4 Stars
this sullen, violent police drama is as detailed an investigation as you will find on film. the opening scene of the laughing policeman is extremely tense, and sets the tone for a dirty harry style flick that delivers one of matthau's moodiest performances. basically, a mass murder takes place on a san francisco bus and we find out that a policeman was one of the victims. he turns out to be matthau's late partner. bruce dern is assigned to the case to work with matthau to find out why this SFPD decetive was on the bus in the first place. Their subsequent relationship is a play the standard, portrayed in the laughing policeman as "mute cop/bad cop". so, teams of gritty cops (a young lou gossett) meander through the roughest neighbourhoods of san francisco bullying pimps, pushers, hip drag queens and sidewalking street-wheelers in an attempt uncover what turns out to be a very complex underworld fraternity. The purpose (seeing as this plays as a matthau character study), to quell Matthau's melancholic contribution to this Dirty Harry spin-off. It is more violent and much more precise than Dirty Hary but not as entertaining. A must see however for all matthau fans.Movie Review: Walter Matthau and Bruce Dern Track A Killer
Summary: 3 Stars
Walter Matthau's first truly dramatic role of the 1970s after his years in comedic fare, The Laughin Policemen, despite its title, is anything but humorous. Matthau and Bruce Dern are partners investigating a brutal massacre on a bus. Dern, as Matthau's young partner, displays edginess in his doubts about his older partner's hunches, but he listens, and Matthau's hunches prove correct. Dern's performance is good, but constantly getting in the way is his mustache, what has to be the gayest such in filmdom, a mustache that makes that of Ron Burgundy look restrained.
A series of dead ends eventually leads to a pivotal clue, and the two cops' main suspect becomes a "fruiter" businessman whop was cleared of a murder several years earlier. Because he knows the suspect, Matthau knows how to get him to tip his hand, but he'd better hope Dern can keep up, as Matthau maneuvers to get himself cornered with the killer on a city bus.
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