The Package *** (1989, Gene Hackman, Joanna Cassidy, Tommy Lee Jones, John Heard, Dennis Franz, Reni Santoni, Pam Grier) – Classic Movie Review 11,210

The 1989 thriller film The Package stars Gene Hackman as a Green Beret Sergeant who has to deliver a package – a psychotic court-martialled serviceman (Tommy Lee Jones) – from Berlin to jail in America.

Director Andrew Davis’s 1989 thriller film The Package stars Gene Hackman as Green Beret Master Sergeant Johnny Gallagher, who has to deliver a package – a psychotic court-martialled serviceman, Airborne Ranger Thomas Boyette (Tommy Lee Jones) – from Berlin to jail in America. But the package is rescued and Hackman discovers that he has escorted a political assassin. Then Hackman is forced to seek his military ex-wife Eileen Gallagher (Joanna Cassidy)’s help after he is arrested for killing Jones’s separated wife.

What we have here is a reasonably plausible and intelligent conspiracy thriller, with reliable Hackman and Jones making much out of their one-dimensional hero and villain characters. However, the mounting absurdities of the plot, sacrificing logic and tension for pace and action, cause the film to take a plunge downhill around half way, though it perks up for the lively shoot-up climax at a Chicago hotel.

This quality goods package is quickly and efficiently delivered by talented action director Davis, but alas it comes by second-class postal service.

The 4-letter words may be cut on TV.

Also in the cast are Joanna Cassidy, Tommy Lee Jones, John Heard, Dennis Franz, Reni Santoni, Pam Grier, Chelcie Ross, Ron Dean, Kevin Crowley, Ike Pappas, Thalmus Rasulala, and Marco St John.

It is shot in Chicago and other Illinois locations, with the opening credits sequence filmed at the Soviet War Memorial in Tiergarten, West Berlin.

It grossed only $10.6 million at the US / Canada box office, against a $16 million budget.

The Package runs 108 minutes, is distributed by Orion Pictures, is written by John Bishop is shot by Frank Tidy, is produced by Beverly Camhe and Tobie Haggerty,, and scored by James Newton Howard.

Release date: August 25, 1989.

Gene Hackman and Joanna Cassidy again star together previously in Under Fire (1983).

The cast

The cast are Gene Hackman as Master Sergeant Johnny Gallagher, Joanna Cassidy as Lieutenant Colonel Eileen Gallagher, Tommy Lee Jones as Thomas Boyette / Sgt Walter Henke, John Heard as Colonel Glen Whitacre, Dennis Franz as Lieutenant Milan Delich, Reni Santoni as a Chicago police lieutenant, Pam Grier as Lieutenant Ruth Butler, Chelcie Ross as General Hopkins, Ron Dean as Karl Richards, Kevin Crowley as Sergeant Walter Henke, Thalmus Rasulala as Secret Service Commander, and Marco St John as Marth.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,210

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