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The Laughing Policeman (1973)

Director: Stuart Rosenberg

Average user rating
2 reviews

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 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide


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User reviews of this film

  • paul s. said...
    Posted on Apr 25 2008 23:00 one big unintenional laugh. the script is pathetic
    Report as inappropriate
  • mr.mike said...
    Posted on Oct 16 2007 23:00 Matthau and the cast very effective in this police procedural.
    Report as inappropriate

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