In his ‘70s heyday, Elliott Gould, so good in Robert Altman films, so bad in just about everything else, is at least recognizably his better self in this Buddy/Buddy cop pic. Co-starring with a very assured Robert Blake (he might be auditioning for his BARETTA tv series), Gould (looking like a Jewish Lee Marvin) is partnered with Blake as a pair of ‘gonzo’ L.A. Vice Cops stymied by local mob boss Allen Garfield who’s got the political pull to get his associates out of any jam. The boys doggedly pursue/he deftly sidesteps . . . violent reckoning sure to come. It’s a sloppy piece of work in many ways, but scripter Peter Hyams has beginner’s luck on his feature directing debut since his usual coarseness fits the subject matter. Plus, Hal Needham to run the stunts (and action?) for him. In spite of palm trees & La Brea Tar Pits, there’s a distinct NYC vibe here, along with startling ‘pre’ PC attitudes in Gay Bar Raids and some casual racism. (At one point, Gould punches out a Super Fly type for no particular reason after a court appearance goes badly for him. Fine to show his character’s frustration as short term victories on the street go against him in court, but must we be egged on to applaud his behavior?) And what’s up with the powdery, overexposed look of so many interiors? Maybe that’s why Hyams eventually added a cinematographer’s shingle to his misplaced confidence as writer & director.
ATTENTION MUST BE PAID: In spite of equal star-billing for Gould & Blake, the film is strongly tipped toward Gould. Blake, fresh off cult-item ELECTRA GLIDE IN BLUE/’73, largely stuck to tv after this.
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