Running Scared

1986's RUNNING SCARED has always been what I consider a rather mild couple of hours, despite its  triumphs on two fronts: making Chicago look and feel like an unrelentingly grim and foreboding locale and the chemistry between its two leads.  The latter is really the only real reason to watch this action comedy.  Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines are so charismatic and comfortable that we feel like voyeurs as they wearily go about their jobs, chasing criminals on the city's North Side and beyond.  And wisecracking at nearly every opportunity.  This is one of the most inspired pairings of the '80s -  in a "buddy comedy" that probably would've otherwise been completely forgotten without them. 

Danny (Cyrstal) and Ray (Hines) are forever trying to nail drug dealer Julio Gonzales (Jimmy Smits), who fancies himself the city's next big player.  It proves frustrating and dangerous, just like everything else in the wiseacre duo's workaday.  They're your typical movie detectives - anti-authority, smartassed, bad at relationships.  The dreariness of winter is also getting to them, so when their captain (Dan Hedaya, in perfect casting) orders them to take a vacation, our dudes head to Key West, that special place at the tip of Florida where everyone stops to watch the sunset.   They take to it like...., well, you know.  So much so that they decide they want to leave the gloom behind and open a bar in paradise. 

But even though Danny and Ray get Julio arrested before their trip, they return to the Windy City to find he was released on bail.   Now they have a bit of business to finish before riding off into that sunset.  But will our hard bitten guys really enjoy a life of endless leisure?  At one point Danny hopes aloud that at least someone will try to stick up their bar.

Modest.  Director Peter Hyams does create some vivid atmosphere at times and a nice visual contrast between the harshness and grit of the urban landscape (with apparently a lot of fake snow) and the impossibly blue skies and water of Key West, but overall the film is kinda blah.  Has no real momentum.  The action scenes are pretty good, though James Mitchell's editing during the car/train chase isn't optimal.   The script by Gary DeVore and Jimmy Huston offers nothing novel, no surprises.  And despite Crystal and Hines'  endless witty rapport, the energy level flags quite often.  RUNNING SCARED never leaps off the screen the way, say, 48 HOURS or FREEBIE AND THE BEAN did. 

But fans of the actors will nonetheless enjoy their shtick.  They are so fun to watch and listen to.  Even with the occasional groaner line, as when when Danny's ex informs him she's dating a dentist - "I bet his favorite flavor is Lavoris".   Ray's reaction to a little kid behind a door is quite juvenile itself, but still worthy of a chuckle.   I always enjoy that Michael McDonald theme song, too.