Downtown (1990)

In this comic twist on the cop buddy genre, suburban Philadelphia policeman Alex Kearney (Anthony Edwards) is unfairly reassigned to a dangerous, rundown inner-city precinct after busting a wealthy, well-connected businessman for speeding. Soon after, his partner is killed when he attempts to bust a drug transaction in the area, and Kearney seeks the aid of Dennis Curren (Forest Whitaker), a loner cop in the downtown precinct who's resistant to working with the naive suburban transfer. Despite their differences--notably Kearney's by-the-book approach and Curren's toss-the-book attitude to law enforcement--the duo begin investigating what at first seems to be an ordinary drug operation, but soon expands into something larger. The antagonistic chemistry between Whitaker and Edwards works to the film's advantage and lends itself to some poignant moments as the guarded Curren slowly opens up to his new, gung ho partner. Despite an unnecessarily Hollywoodish ending, Downtown is a charming buddy pic. --Bryan Reesman Amazon.com

A true modern classic...

I always reccomend this movie to people looking for offbeat entertainment. Edwards and Whitaker play 2 cops thrust together in a tough precinct located 'Downtown', hence the name. Lots of comedic situations, but real violence-not for the squeamish. August 12, 2007

This is NOT a great film, but a good one

Anthony Edwards is banished to downtown Philly from the wealthyburbs on the word of a disgruntled wealthyburbite. He's as white as they come; the denizens of downtown are, uh, not.

Forest Whitaker is his unwilling/unwitting partner with passion but no tolerance. Beach Boys? NO!

It's a predictable but enjoyable romp, and Art Evans plays a streetwise police Lt with a penchant for using a 4-letter copulatory verb. Yeah, that's the one.

It's not vaguely believeable, but Edwards is so fresh and pre-ER-ish, it's a lot of fun. Plus, Whitaker brings a level of intensity not really suited to the movie, but characteristic of all his roles. Doesn't hurt he went on to anchor an ER story arc.

For the price, you can't beat it. Pop some corn and curl up for a while. June 2, 2007

Downtown

I had taped this movie from TV years ago and just wanted to have it for my own. I always liked Anthony Edwards from ER and think Forest Whitaker is a great actor. This was just an all around great movie. January 10, 2007

damm good movie

this is a very good movie i think its good for a white cop to hang down in the hood anthony edwards has guts the funny part was watching him eat chittlings and getting sick and the best part they became friends we need more movies like this made in todays society. October 28, 2005

LAUGHS, ACTION, and BEACH BOYS MUSIC, it's all here!!!

This is a fish out of water story (a reversed, Beverly Hills Cop, if you would) where a white cop from a shiny, modernized, police station, is transferred to a gritty, dilapidated, and crime ridded, gettoeque, police station, in one of the best 80's styled buddy films ever made.

There's plenty of laughs, action, and Beach Boys music, for everyone to enjoy.

Anthony Edwards (when he had hair) as the shiny new, eager to right the worlds wrongs cop, from the right side of the tracks, who plays, ever so gratingly, against Forest Whitaker, as the put upon, chip on his shoulder cop, from the wrong side of the tracks.

The fun in the movie is watching the bond between the two cops, grow, as each learns to appreciate the other, and become friends.

This movie is a classic, and WELL worth the price of admission. February 7, 2005

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