Classic 80s Movie: “48 Hrs.”
Today’s Classic 80s Movie guest post comes from Paul Lewis.
Movie Title: 48 Hrs.
Year: 1982
Writers: Walter Hill (The Warriors), Roger Spottiswoode (Turner and Hooch), Larry Gross (We Don’t Live Here Anymore), Steven E. de Souza (Die Hard)
Lead Actors: Eddie Murphy (Reggie Hammond) Nick Nolte (Jack Cates)
Director: Walter Hill
Plot Summary: A hard-nosed cop reluctantly teams up with a wise-cracking criminal temporarily paroled to him, in order to track down a killer.
Why I Think This Is A Classic 80s Movies: This movie is high concept to a “T” perfect for the 1980’s. The title sells itself, we know that we’re seeing 48 hours (2 days) and that these two days are important.
Other things that make this classic is that we’re seeing the pairing of comedy and action in one. Films in 80 and 81 seem to have two opposite poles, either comedic (Airplane) or dark/horrific (The Shining), this film takes the position to straddle the line and try and provide both. You’re coming to this film expecting a detective story, but you’re getting comedy from one of the biggest comedic talents of the day.
My Favorite Moment In The Movie: The Redneck Bar Scene.
The best thing about the scene is Reggie Hammond “acting” serious. We first meet the character singing “Roxanne” in a prison jail cell, and from there it’s Eddie Murphy cracking wise while Nick Nolte plays the (pretty racist) straight man. Going into this scene the two make a wager that if Reggie can get information on the case from this scene, he can sneak away and have sex. If not, Reggie has to tell Jack the truth about Ganz’s plan. That gives this scene a sense of raised stakes and advances the plot. No matter what the outcome we get exposition in a fun and interesting way.
My Favorite Dialogue In the Movie:
Reggie: This ain’t no god damn way to start a partnership.
Jack: Now, get this! We ain’t partners. We ain’t brothers. And we ain’t friends. I’m puttin’ you down and keepin’ you down until Ganz is locked up or dead. And if Ganz gets away, you’re gonna be sorry YOU ever MET me!
[beat]
Reggie: I’m already sorry.
Key Things You Should Look For When Watching This Movie: Interplay between two characters. I had always assumed that the dialogue in the film was improvised by Eddie Murphy, however it’s all there on page. These are two characters who firmly have opposite views, values and methods for getting what they want. The trick is that the script is written in a way that this is never forgotten and commits to it the whole way.
The clichés: This movie is the DNA for every buddy cop movie ever made. Count the number of clichés that you recognize (i.e., the human shield at the climax, the argument that turns into a fist fight, the ending laugh, the “we’re not partners” monologue.) Is there a way that these beats can be changed, or reworked or updated so they aren’t so bland?
Thanks, Paul! To show our gratitude for your guest post, here’s a dash of creative juju for you. Whoosh!
Tomorrow: Another Classic 80s Movie!