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Bookmark this pageThe Laughing Policeman (1973)
Director: Stuart Rosenberg
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
As police clinically and methodically follow up a multiple killing on a San Francisco bus, this adaptation of the Sjöwall/Wahlöö novel looks as if it's setting the record straight on recent cop films. But in its desire to make no concessions to Dirty Harry and its ilk, it destroys any potential interest with almost wilful perversity. Matthau's disgruntled cop, alienated from family and superiors, emerges as a tedious protagonist, relating to nothing, continually bored and boring. The plot hops around in an unengaging manner, while the excursions into the underworld (pimps, dopers, transvestites, Angels, etc) are patchily directed. Ironically, by the end, complete with car chase and split-second shooting, the film has become indistinguishable from all those movies it's trying so hard to disown.Author: CPe
User reviews of this film
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- paul s. said...
- Posted on Apr 25 2008 23:00 one big unintenional laugh. the script is pathetic
- Report as inappropriate
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- mr.mike said...
- Posted on Oct 16 2007 23:00 Matthau and the cast very effective in this police procedural.
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Stuart Rosenberg
Producer: Stuart Rosenberg
Cast: Walter Matthau, Bruce Dern, Lou Gossett, Albert Paulsen, Anthony Zerbe, Val Avery, Clifton James full cast
Genre(s): Thrillers
Duration: 112 mins
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