Murphy's Law [Blu-ray]

Director: J. Lee Thompson J. Lee Thompson

Overview

An officer of the law becomes a wanted man while trailing a killer in this crime drama. Jack Murphy (Charles Bronson) is a police detective who helped to put Joan Freeman (Carrie Snodgress), a psychotic murderer, behind bars ten years ago. However, Joan is now back on the street and determined to get revenge on Jack. She kills Jack's ex-wife and her new husband, and she cleverly frames the detective for the crime. Jack is arrested and taken into custody handcuffed to Arabella McGee (Kathleen Wilhoite), a rough-and-ready young hoodlum picked up for theft. Jack is able to escape, and has to track down Joan in order to clear his name with Arabella as his unwitting accomplice. Murphy's Law also features Lawrence Tierney and Richard Romanus.

Product Details

Release Date:	02/15/2022
UPC:	0738329257804
Original Release:	1986
Rating:	R
Source:	Kl Studio Classics
Language:	English
Time:	1:40:00
Sales rank:	22,268

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Charles Bronson	Jack Murphy
Carrie Snodgress	Joan Freeman
Kathleen Wilhoite	Arabella McGee
Robert F. Lyons	Art Penney
Richard Romanus	Frank Vincenzo
Angel Tompkins	Jan
Bill Henderson	Actor,Actor
James Luisi	Actor
Cliff Pellow	Actor,Actor
Janet MacLachman	Actor
Lawrence Tierney	Actor
Jerome Thor	Actor
Mischa Hausserman	Actor
Cal Haynes	Actor
Hans Howes	Actor
Joseph Spallina Roman	Actor
Chris De Rose	Actor
Frank Annese	Actor
Paul McCallum	Actor
Dennis Hayden	Actor
Tony Montero	Actor
David Hayman	Actor
Lisa Vice	Actor
Janet Rotblatt	Actor
Greg Finley	Actor
Jerry Lazarus	Actor
Robert Axelrod	Actor
John Hawker	Actor
Bert Williams	Actor
Daniel Nalleck	Actor
Randall Carver	Actor
Gerald Berns	Actor
Don L. Brodie	Actor
Graham Timbes	Actor
David K. Johnston	Actor
Frank Bove	Actor
Paul McCauley	Actor
Brooks Wachtel	Actor
Richard Hochberg	Actor
John F. McCarthy	Actor
Leigh Lombardi	Actor
Charlie Brewer	Actor
Charles A. Nero	Actor
Chris Stanley	Actor
Linda Harwood	Actor
Nancie Clark	Actor
Janet MacLachlan	Actor

Technical Credits

Yoram Globus	Executive Producer
Menahem Golan	Executive Producer
Pancho Kohner	Producer
J. Lee Thompson	Director

Editorial Reviews

This often silly but fitfully amusing potboiler is one of the better Charles Bronson vehicles from his 1980s era. Gail Morgan Hickman's script makes up for what it lacks in originality and believable dialogue with plenty of colorful B-movie characterizations, a lively pace, and a string of amusing action set pieces. Director J. Lee Thompson fails to invest the movie with any kind of real dramatic weight but his slick direction keeps things moving nicely and he wisely fleshes out the supporting cast with plenty of familiar faces. Those familiar faces play a big part in making Murphy's Law entertaining: Lawrence Tierney has a darkly amusing bit as an ill-fated private eye, Carrie Snodgrass throws plenty of method-actor theatrics into her psycho killer role, and Richard Romanus is a hoot as the tough-talking but secretly cowardly mob boss with a grudge against Jack Murphy. In terms of leads, Bronson is his usual stone-faced self but sidekick Kathleen Wilhoite proves to be a likable comedic foil despite the groan-worthy dialogue she is saddled with. In the end, Murphy's Law is far from Bronson's best work but energetic enough to keep his fans entertained.

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