An action movie star researching a role is allowed to tag along with a hardboiled New York City policeman, who finds him superficial and irritating.An action movie star researching a role is allowed to tag along with a hardboiled New York City policeman, who finds him superficial and irritating.An action movie star researching a role is allowed to tag along with a hardboiled New York City policeman, who finds him superficial and irritating.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
Luis Guzmán
- Pooley
- (as Luis Guzman)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAccording to James Woods, his role in this film was one of his toughest because his character had to constantly be angry with Michael J. Fox's character, who he found very likeable in real life.
- GoofsEarly in the movie a car is released from a tow truck and it flips. The piston and the metal frame used to flip it are clearly visible during the flip and the subsequent roll of the car.
- Alternate versionsIn addition to the usual cuts for broadcast standards, the version aired on NBC (and later on USA, etc.) showed scenes out of sequence. Just after John first meets Nick at the police station, the movie jumps to the two of them at the hot dog stand. After that entire scene plays out, it then goes back to the scene that would have originally preceded it, with John taking Nick to the ghetto to question the Dead Romeos. The re-edit probably would have been unnoticeable to a viewer if not for the fact that at the hot dog stand they are seen with a new, garish police car to replace one that was destroyed in the Dead Romeos scene.
- SoundtracksMomma Said Knock You Out
Written by LL Cool J (as J.T. Smith), Marley Marl (as M. Williams) and Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin
Performed by LL Cool J (as L L Cool J)
Produced by Marley Marl and LL Cool J (as L L Cool J)
Co-produced by Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin
Courtesy of Columbia/Def Jam Records
By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing
Featured review
When I saw this, I didn't expect much from it. However, it turned out to be just great - it just happened so to press all the right buttons!
Michael J. Fox plays a PG-movie star (think Brendan Fraser) who wants to star in a serious cop flick. For this, he tags along with a real cop for a few days. But the real cop assigned to baby-sit him isn't exactly a fan of his, instead, he sees the wimsy character of Fox as a leech in his balls. This may sound like just any other buddy-movie "yea, they don't match from the starters but in the end, learn to get along", but give this little movie a chance, because: As bold as the casting, at least for what it comes to Fox, may sound, the chemistry really works here- you can almost see the sparks flying between the stars! Woods gives a powerhouse performance as a very "Dirty Harry" - like cop almost on the verge of a nervous breakdown because of his BS assignment. Fox is surprisingly good as his counter-part. And the directing is the usual good Badham- stuff, where a good action -comedy is spiced up with a little bad language and violent themes. I just don't understand how come he nowadays seems to have lost his touch? The man who did this and "Stakeout"? Even "Another stakeout" had it's moments...
Michael J. Fox plays a PG-movie star (think Brendan Fraser) who wants to star in a serious cop flick. For this, he tags along with a real cop for a few days. But the real cop assigned to baby-sit him isn't exactly a fan of his, instead, he sees the wimsy character of Fox as a leech in his balls. This may sound like just any other buddy-movie "yea, they don't match from the starters but in the end, learn to get along", but give this little movie a chance, because: As bold as the casting, at least for what it comes to Fox, may sound, the chemistry really works here- you can almost see the sparks flying between the stars! Woods gives a powerhouse performance as a very "Dirty Harry" - like cop almost on the verge of a nervous breakdown because of his BS assignment. Fox is surprisingly good as his counter-part. And the directing is the usual good Badham- stuff, where a good action -comedy is spiced up with a little bad language and violent themes. I just don't understand how come he nowadays seems to have lost his touch? The man who did this and "Stakeout"? Even "Another stakeout" had it's moments...
- How long is The Hard Way?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $24,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $25,895,485
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $6,301,470
- Mar 10, 1991
- Gross worldwide
- $65,595,485
- Runtime1 hour 51 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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