Comeuppance Reviews
Joe Case (Lucarelli) is a man from California who comes to visit a small Arizona border community. As an out-of-towner, he witnesses violence, corruption and murder at the hands of the local cops and sheriff. The main antagonist is Jake Wheeler (McRaney), a belligerent racist who has no problem dealing with the Mexican border-crossers...one way or another. Sheriff Mitchell (Brimley) also has an uneasy relationship with Wheeler, a loose cannon. Joe teams up with Dave Buchanon (Parker), one of the good cops, in an attempt to right the situation and bring Jake to justice. But will it be American JUSTICE? Plenty of movies in the 80's dealt with the subject of the U.S./Mexico border - even on this site alone we have Border Cop (1979), Border Heat (1990) (AKA Deadly Stranger) and now American Justice. THIS particular border movie isn't really an action movie per se, it's more of a downbeat, serious drama with some violence/thriller elements. The movie's attempt at seriousness isn't a bad thing at all, but the storyline is simplistic, and not a lot happens around it. The movie is almost airy, if that makes any sense. The odd, slow pace isn't conducive to anything cohesive that will stick in your mind, and the movie becomes forgettable.Except for a few violent bits, it feels like a TV movie, which isn't surprising, as that's the medium director Gary Grillo spent most of his career in. Add to that the presences of McRaney and Parker, known for the show Simon and Simon. Of course, McRaney is also known as "TV's Major Dad" as well. McRaney is well cast here and acquits himself well, and Wilford Brimley is a bright spot, adding what meat he possibly can to his small role, but there should have been MORE. More plot, more character development, more action, more suspense, more twists, more SOMETHING.While the VHS in the U.S. was released on one of our favorite labels, Lightning, the tagline used, "Justice from the barrel of a gun", is sadly not lived up to. It makes you think a bigger, grander movie is forthcoming. Additionally, the box states the running time at 79 minutes, but it's really 92. Why they did this is unknown. Did they think video store patrons might rent it because it's not a big drain on their time? If so, it may have backfired, as people want to get as much for their money as they can, and they may have thought a meager 79 minutes is not worth the investment of a video rental. These are the things that keep you up at night. Or at least us.While not a BAD movie by any means, American Justice isn't a great one either. File this one under "missed opportunity".for more insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com
ca_skunk
This movie certainly was a sleeper. The acting was excellent, especially seeing Major Dad in the role of the evil bad guy.The scene at the end when Jack Lucarelli takes Jameson Parker's laser sight shotgun with him is excellent. He never says a word to any of the five "officers" he encounters. He doesn't have to.Wilford Brimley is his usual excellent self. My sister liked the part where he tells Deputy Hobie to stay at the crime scene, because "I don't want anybody fartin' around out here." That's just how real people put things, not all proper and in the king's English.I missed this movie so much that I bought a former rental store copy for 14c online. It's in perfect condition! David Goss' song, "The Price You Pay" is fitting and very well sung during closing credits.
prattrich
This one is a real sleeper. If it hadn't been dissed by one of its stars prior to release, it might have been a hit. The character, Connie, in particular reminded me of someone you might meet in a Tijuana back alley on a dark night. He played his part perfectly.
gallileo
I know this movie as American Justice. I searched and now finally own it and would be hard pressed to ever get rid of it. For me the acting is good for the Wilford Brimley, Gerald McRaney and Jameson Parker, the other lead character left me cold. The best part for me was seeing the stars of tv's Simon & Simon working together in totally different roles. Just goes to show the chemistry goes beyond the series. Worth watching at least once. Good viewing
