Running Scared (1986 film)

Running Scared is a 1986 American action comedy film directed by Peter Hyams, written by Gary Devore and Jimmy Huston, and starring Gregory Hines, Billy Crystal, with Steven Bauer, Jimmy Smits and Dan Hedaya in supporting roles. Hines and Crystal play Chicago police officers who, after nearly being killed on the job, decide to retire and open a bar in Key West, Florida, only to get caught up in making one last arrest before they go.

The film was produced and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Plot
Ray Hughes and Danny Costanzo are two police officers working on Chicago's North Side, known for their wisecracking demeanors and unorthodox police methods, which get results in their various cases. One such case involves trying to bust up-and-coming drug dealer Julio Gonzales. After arresting Snake, one of Gonzales's associates, they convince him to wear a wire in order to get the necessary evidence to put Gonzales away. When they approach the meeting place (a cargo ship) they find that Gonzales has acquired a large store of Israeli Uzi submachine guns. Snake is setting the detectives up, however, prompting the detectives to rush in by acting as though Gonzales was preparing to kill him. Gonzales reveals his ambition to be the Spanish "Godfather" of Chicago, but chastises Snake for letting the detectives get close, and Snake is shot dead by a subordinate. The pair look as though they will be killed, but two undercover detectives in Gonzales's gang step in to make the arrest. In the ensuing gun battle, most of the gang escape, but Ray and Danny capture Gonzales.

Back at the station Ray and Danny expect to be praised, but instead their captain chastises them for their sloppy work (as revealed by Snake's wire) and orders them to take a vacation. On vacation in Key West, Florida, the pair begin to question their career choice after the experience and decide to retire and open a bar.

When they return to Chicago and inform the captain of their intentions, they find out that Gonzales has been released and is free on bail. Incensed, they vow to capture Gonzales before retiring, but by being a little more careful in the process. To add insult to injury, Captain Logan assigns them the additional task of training their replacements before they go. They must train detectives Anthony Montoya and Frank Sigliano, none other than the two undercover officers who saved them from being killed in the Gonzales bust.

During one of the attempts to capture Gonzales, Ray and Danny confiscate a large shipment of cocaine coming from Colombia. In order to get it back, Gonzales kidnaps Danny's ex-wife Anna, whom he still loves and has been trying to reconcile with, and says he will trade her for his drugs; otherwise, he will kill her. Danny agrees, leading to the final confrontation inside the high-rise atrium of the State of Illinois Center. During the ensuing fight, Danny and Ray rescue their would-be protégés in a way similar to their own rescuing, and Gonzales is killed. Anna and Danny reconcile and he and Ray decide not to retire after all.

Production
In 2010, Hyams recalled that he had wanted "to remain earthbound" and desired a comedy that was "not stupid" and where the action was not "mean-spirited or bloody or graphic." MGM's script about retiring NY cops turned into a tale of non-retiring young Chicago cops, offering fresh casting possibilities and a unique city backdrop. He noted that amidst numerous cop movies, he chose to opt for more unconventional actors and chose Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines, who proved to have great chemistry.

Hines persistently campaigned for his role, proud that the film featured a "black guy [with] sex scenes," deviating from the norm of the black character being devoid of sexuality, as opposed to his white counterpart. He recalled that Hyams was "tough to work with" but that he didn't want to "put the guy down." Crystal, valued for his improvisational skills, contributed "little pearls" to the script, supported by Hines' chemistry. He noted that his risky improvisations were only possible due to Hines' solid presence.

Filming spanned September 1985 to January 1986 across MGM Studios in Culver City, California, in addition to location work in Key West, and Chicago.

Reception
Running Scared was a moderate box office success, earning over $38 million. Reviews were mixed, however, and the film has a current 63% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 24 reviews. The site's consensus states: "Running Scared struggles to strike a consistent balance between violent action and humor, but the chemistry between its well-matched leads keeps things entertaining." Film critic Roger Ebert recommended it, saying that the film "transcends its dreary roots and turns out to be a lot of fun".

Vincent Canby of The New York Times, however, advised people to "stay home and watch Miami Vice or Cagney and Lacey" instead.

Box office
The film debuted at #5 at the U.S. box office, with a weekend gross of $5,227,757, with a total gross of $38 million. It was the 26th highest grossing movie of 1986.

Soundtrack
The Running Scared soundtrack was released in conjunction with the movie and contained a mix of songs and music featured in the film. The album sold well and produced three top 15 hits with performances by Klymaxx, Michael McDonald, New Edition, and Patti LaBelle. Producer Rod Temperton also contributed two songs with his band The Rod Temperton Beat Wagon.