Physical Evidence ** (1989, Burt Reynolds, Theresa Russell, Ned Beatty) – Classic Movie Review 10,040

Director Michael Crichton’s 1989 crime mystery romance thriller Physical Evidence stars twinkling charmer Burt Reynolds as Joe Paris, a cynical cop suspended from the force and accused of murdering a crook, strangled extortionist Jake Farley, who was his arch-enemy.

Cucumber-cool Theresa Russell plays Jenny Hudson, an ambitious court-appointed attorney determined to clear him and advance her career.

Despite high expectations, this is only a middling thriller, with lots of wild red herrings that strain credibility but hold the attention. Reynolds is still an attractive player here and he and Russell spark off enough sexual chemistry to keep the show watchable and bubbling along lightly, at least until the botched ending.

This pulp material, based on a story by Steve Ransohoff and Bill Phillips (also screenplay), is merely competently directed by Crichton, who seems uninspired.

Also in the cast are Ned Beatty, Kay Lenz, Ted McGinley, Tom O’Brien, Kenneth Welsh, Ray Baker, Ken James and Michael P Moran.

It is from the producer of Jagged Edge (1985), Martin Ransohoff, and in the ballpark of hat film, but it just does not go as well. It tanked. Costing $17,000,000, it grossed $3,560,932 in the US.

Physical Evidence is directed by Michael Crichton, runs 97 minutes, is made by Columbia Pictures and The Rank Organisation, is released by Columbia Pictures (1989) (US) and The Rank Organisation (1989) (UK), is written by Bill Phillips, based on a story by Steve Ransohoff and Bill Phillips, is shot by John A Alonzo, is produced by Don Carmody (executive producer) and Martin Ransohoff, is scored by Henry Mancini and designed by Dan Yarhi.

Martin Ransohoff died on December 13, 2017, aged 90. Ransohoff got into a fight with director Sam Peckinpah when he fired him from the shoot of The Cincinnati Kid (1965), after they disagreed on the film’s concept.

Burt Reynolds died on September 6, 2018, aged 82.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,040

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