With Jim Sabatini

One Good Cop

Rated: R for violence
Reviewed by: Frank and Chris
Release date: May 3, 1991

Mixing action with real human feelings makes for good entertainment in One Good Cop.

Michael Keaton plays Artie Lewis, a policeman whose partner, Stevie DiRoma (Anthony LaPaglia) is killed when a drug-crazed man holds his family hostage. Since DiRoma's wife had died from illness, he wills legal custody of his three young daughters to Artie and his wife Rita (Rene Russo). Unable to have biological children, Artie and Rita live in a one-bedroom apartment and have trouble making ends meet. The added financial burden of the kids, and the need for a larger place to live, forces Artie to think that it isn't fair for drug dealers to have all the money.

Keaton has proven himself a very versatile actor, good at comedy, drama and action (Nighy Shift, Pacific Heights and Batman). He reinforces this by handling both the gunplay and tenderness with the adorable little girls effectively. The moral dilemma and the fact that Lewis is a cop who is not alcoholic or suicidal and truly loves his wife, makes for a police story with a little different twist. The cast and the creative script make this a winner.